Tuesday 3 June, 10:00,
Grimond Room, Portcullis House
The Education Committee continues its inquiry into the
further education and skills sector by exploring the experience
of FE students and the increasing responsibility given to
devolved authorities to fill local skills gaps.
In the first part of the session, experts will be questioned on
topics including whether the Government could do more to assist
colleges and schools to support students with mental health
needs, students who are care leavers, and those from
disadvantaged backgrounds.
MPs are likely to ask how students with special educational needs
and disabilities (SEND) can be supported, including with
transport, and whether enough attention is paid to specialist FE
colleges. There may also be questions about efforts by the
Government over recent years to widen the pathways into higher
education, and whether the schools sector could be better at
informing pupils about the various FE pathways.
The second panel will examine the Government's strategy to build
a workforce that meets the needs of local industry, public
services and the UK economy.
The Committee is likely to ask how Skills England can promote
apprenticeships, how the Government can increase the uptake of
technical education, and whether the array of technical
qualifications and the curriculum are relevant to the needs of
industry.
There may also be questions about how combined local authorities
and metro mayors can direct funding for FE and adult education
within their patch, and support collaboration between colleges
and local business.
MPs are also likely to ask about the effects of cuts to adult
education, and the Government's decision to remove the
requirements for those taking adult apprenticeships to have a
GCSE grade 4 in maths and English.
Witnesses from
10:00
- Qasim Hussain, Vice President (Further Education), National
Union of Students
- Ruth Perry, Senior Policy Manager, Natspec
- Denise Rawls, Executive Director, National Network for the
Education of Care Leavers
- Dr Emily Tanner, Programme Head for Post-14 Education and
Skills, Nuffield Foundation
Witnesses from
11:00
- Dr Fiona Aldridge, Chief Executive Officer, Skills
Federation
- David Gaughan, Interim Director of Employment and Skills,
West Midlands Combined Authority
- Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy, British
Chambers of Commerce
- Dr CBE, Policy Advisor,
HOLEX
