Mixed Views on FE Reputation

New research into the status and reputation of our further education (FE) system has produced some mixed results. Commissioned by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), the Ipsos MORI research found that two-thirds of respondents believe FE has a major impact on the national economy and productivity, and three in five believe the FE system to be well respected. Half of the stakeholders interviewed said that choice of provision has improved with only less than a fifth saying it has got worse.

However, while users of FE are generally satisfied, they feel the system is invisible to the wider population. Stakeholders say the low profile is due to the absence of any “champion” for FE, the complexity of the system, and a general view that FE comes second behind higher education.

The research also found that training providers, and employers who do not use FE, are its fiercest critics, while FE and sixth form colleges, not surprisingly, are its loudest advocates. Other stakeholder groups such as schools and employers who have used FE, fall somewhere between the two viewpoints.

The priority most commonly cited by those interviewed was employer engagement and ensuring the system is demand led.

Commenting on the research, Mark Haysom, LSC Chief Executive said: “All of us in the sector must work together to develop the reputation and understanding of FE amongst our key stakeholders. This research helps us identify areas of concern, allows us to agree, with our partners, the direction of travel, and gives us the evidence we need to establish plans for the future.”

To download a pdf version of the research report, follow the link to The Status and Reputation of the Further Education System.