T-levels are now open for business!

Providers are now able to begin bidding to become the first organisations to deliver the new T-level qualifications. Today (17/1/2018) the Education and Skills Funding Agency has published guidance which invites providers to state their interest, and it also sets out the all-important criteria they will have to meet; the devil is always in the …

The Careers Strategy – Our Response

Earlier this week we attended the CDI conference where the Minister launched the long awaited careers strategy. Whilst CASCAID welcomes the paper and sees it as a positive step towards building a better careers system for individuals, we feel that it does not quite go far enough to ensure consistent provision for all. Focused around …

T-levels – The Consultation Process

The government has today launched the public consultation process for the new T-level qualifications. The consultation has been delayed for a considerable amount of time, but it has finally arrived. The consultation takes the form of an online survey and has 45 questions. It will close on 8th February 2018 - and so we have 10 …

Schools will now promote technical education from January

The Department of Education have published details of a law that will force schools to let outside providers talk to their students about further education. This is called the ‘Baker Clause’ which is an amendment written by Lord Baker and Baroness Morris, who are both former education secretaries. From the 2nd of January, all schools …

Extra Funding for T-Levels Announced

In yesterday’s November Budget, the Chancellor Philip Hammond announced that the government will invest an extra £20 million to help colleges to prepare for the introduction of the new vocational T-levels. This comes on top of the £50 million that was announced in July, which will be available from April next year (2018) to help …

Higher Level and Degree Apprenticeship Vacancies Released

The Government has published a list of higher level and degree apprenticeships vacancies, starting in 2018, on its .GOV website. The document provides us (at last) with a list of over 40 employers who will be offering these apprenticeships. It also lists the roles that need to be filled, the number of vacancies, and the …

Higher Level Apprenticeship Surge – encouraging signs

The apprenticeship levy was introduced on May 1st 2017, with the intention of boosting employer engagement with the apprenticeship system. However, the first results, reported in October, were not encouraging. During May, June and July total apprenticeships starts fell by a terrifying 61%. Exact reasons for this fall are unclear at the moment, but they …

Internships – What Are They All About?

What is an internship? If you are a graduate student, looking for experience and gaining new skills in your chosen industry, an internship is a great place to start – but what is one? An internship involves a student or trainee, usually aged between 18 – 25 years old, working within an organisation in order to …

The EBacc – What Is It All About?

What is the EBacc? If you are looking at your GCSE choices and you are not sure what to choose, there is always the option of taking the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) – but what is it? The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) is a school performance measure, introduced by the government in 2010. It allows schools to …

Internships – a fairer system for all?

Internships have always been a great way to get the necessary experience to begin applying for jobs in that particular area - especially when it comes to graduate recruitment. If you have completed an internship, it shows potential employers that you also have the necessary drive and ambition required to succeed. So what is not …