key challenges Feedback from the Improvement Strategy consultation has identified the following key challenges: - a 'one size fits all' approach is not appropriate because of the many different types and sizes of colleges and providers, the wide range of training provision, the large variation in the quality of provision and the different success rates between different subject areas and different groups of learners
- although there are examples of good practice across the system, sharing it is not easy as it takes time, can be expensive and requires particular skills
- colleges and providers are expected to respond to a large number of different quality standards and measures which may lead to a compliance culture and the generation of excessive bureaucracy
- the further education (FE) system is facing considerable strategic reform, much of it happening at the same time
- the roles of the many different national agencies in the FE system are not clear to colleges, providers and stakeholders as they all have their own strategies and organisational agendas
- colleges and providers may feel that current reforms are top-down and that they are not being enlisted as partners in implementing improvements.
If the Improvement Strategy is to be successful, the national partners must work with colleges and providers to overcome these challenges in order to achieve their aspirations for excellence, for the benefit of learners, employers and communities. |
