Welcome to Series 4 of Let's Go Further, a podcast from the Skills and Education Group that aims to challenge the way we think about skills and education.

In this series, a collaboration with FE Week, we're shining a spotlight on the FE and skills policy issues that should take centre stage at the upcoming general election.

This series is presented by Shane Chowen, editor of FE Week and we'll be asking, 'What do we need from the next government? How does the next government get the right skills to the right people? What exactly needs to change to help providers step up on AI and the green economy, and how well is the sector positioned to fight for the resources that it needs?'

In a year that could reshape further education for decades to come, join us to get the inside track on the future of further education, skills, and apprenticeships.

Listen to the trailer or read the transcript here.

Episode 1 drops on March 26th.

In the final episode of Series 3, we’re putting learners front and centre.

What comes after an adult education course? What guidance do learners need? And what impact can education have on people’s identity and sense of purpose?

To answer these questions, we’re speaking to Jason Richards, an adult learner and winner of the New Directions Award, part of the Festival of Learning Awards 2023. After suffering brain damage and becoming homeless during the pandemic, Jason was on the brink of taking his own life. An adult education course and the employment he gained as a result restored Jason's pride and purpose, and in his words, he "wouldn't be here now" without the support he received.

We are also joined by The Rt Hon. the Baroness Morgan of Cotes, a former Secretary of State for Education, Chair of the Careers and Enterprise Company, and an Ambassador for the Skills and Education Group Foundation.

We look forward to your company as we conclude our focus on adult education.

About Baroness Morgan

Baroness Morgan is the former MP for Loughborough and served in the government for eight years where she held various senior Ministerial and Cabinet roles including Secretary of State for Education and Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. During her time as Secretary of State for Education, she brought forward legislation that enabled college staff to go into schools to speak to students about their post-16 options. She recently became Chair of the Careers and Enterprise Company and is also Chair of the East Midlands Institute of Technology.

About Jason Richards

Jason Richards is an adult learner who won the Festival of Learning’s New Directions Award, sponsored by the Skills and Education Group, in 2023.

Jason was recovering from severe brain damage and years of homelessness when he found training opportunities and a new sense of direction through Newground Together. Jason’s success in learning led not only to an offer of work, but a new sense of purpose and the chance to reconnect with his family.

Resources:

• Download the transcript for this episode here. 

What role can adult education play in helping more people to access higher education?

To find out, we’re speaking to two people who have experienced adult education themselves and continue to champion its benefits through their careers. The Rt Hon. the Lord Blunkett is a former Secretary of State for Education who has taken on some of the most challenging roles in politics.

While Emma Beal is Principal and Chief Executive of Northern College, the only adult residential college in the North of England.

Join us for a reminder of the multiple benefits of adult education, the importance of breaking down barriers to higher education, and how we can unite these sectors to create a powerful common purpose.

About Emma Beal

Emma Beal is Principal and Chief Executive of Northern College, the only adult residential college in the North of England.  

Northern College has a distinguished history of providing life changing opportunities to hundreds of adult learners every year many of whom have not fulfilled their potential previously. Based in Barnsley, the College attracts students from South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and further afield. 

Emma has more than 22 years' experience of leading, managing and delivering provision across a broad spectrum of educational areas within South Yorkshire. Emma’s experience, knowledge and skills include developing new curriculum, quality improvement and partnerships. Her previous roles include being Assistant Principal for Curriculum, Quality and Market Development at Northern College and Assistant Director for Lifelong Learning at Sheffield City Council.  

About The Rt Hon. the Lord Blunkett

Lord Blunkett's remarkable 40-year public service journey reflects a resilience few can match. Overcoming blindness from birth and early poverty, he defied the odds, entering the University of Sheffield through evening classes and day releases. Rising from the youngest-ever councillor in Sheffield to Labour Party Chair, he played a key role in shaping New Labour.

Appointed Secretary of State for Education and Employment after the 1997 Labour landslide, David navigated complexities in education, apprenticeships, and equal opportunities. As Home Secretary during tumultuous times, he oversaw controversial portfolios including counter-terrorism and immigration. A 28-year MP, he transitioned to the Lords and assumed roles like Professor of Politics and Chair of the University of Law's board.

Beyond politics, David shares insider perspectives on change management, social responsibility, and diversity. His captivating anecdotes from Labour's era make him an entertaining after-dinner speaker. With a broad policy focus, he contributes to charities and serves on the National Citizens Service Trust board, emphasizing citizenship education and youth well-being. David's extensive media presence includes publications like "The Blunkett Tapes" and a memorable appearance on Mastermind with Harry Potter as his chosen subject.

Read his full biography here.

Resources

• Download the transcript for this episode here. 

No money, no trust and the decimation of adult education

Adult education can have a hugely positive impact on people's lives and on the communities where they live. But funding cuts in recent years have left education providers less able to offer the learning that people want and need. So, where are we going wrong?

In this episode, Janet Smith, Chief Executive Officer and Principal of Nottingham College, and Shane Chowen, Editor of FE Week, try to get to grips with this important question.

Their conversation provides plenty of food for thought on the purpose of education, the flaws in the current system, and what needs to change. 

About Janet Smith

Janet Smith is Chief Executive Officer and Principal of Nottingham College, having joined the college in July 2022. Her career in education has spanned more than 35 years, mostly in further education, with nine years as a university lecturer and two years in a strategic regional role within the FE sector.   

As a teacher and manager Janet has developed, delivered and led a wide range of programmes, including apprenticeships, academic and vocational learning, degrees and masters programmes, and research projects.  Over the course of her career, she has worked in eight very different FE colleges and has been the senior lead for curriculum and quality in three, securing significant improvement in performance. She has been a CEO since 2015. 

As someone who has benefited from a college education herself, Janet is a passionate advocate for further education, the opportunities it creates for learners of all backgrounds and the improved life chances on offer through education and training in a college environment.  

About Shane Chowen

Shane took an interest in further education policy while studying A levels at his local FE college 18 years ago, and has worked in a range of policy, campaigning and representative roles ever since. He was the vice president (further education) at the National Union of Students during the 2010 general election and helped lead the largest mobilisation of students seen in a generation. Since then he’s  led on public affairs for the adult education body Learning and Work Institute and worked closely with around 50 colleges as the Midlands area director at the Association of Colleges.  

Outside of work, Shane served on the board at Capital City College Group, overseeing two mergers to form on of the country’s largest college groups and chaired by the board’s quality and standards committee.

He is now editor of FE Week, a weekly newspaper and online news service, where he leads a team of reporters covering further education, skills and apprenticeships. 

Resources 

• Download the transcript for this episode here.

Adult education has been called “the jewel in the crown” of the education sector. In this episode, we discuss the huge range of benefits that adult education has, not just for individuals but places and communities too.

Our guests are two powerful advocates for lifelong learning: Dr Sue Pember CBE, Policy Director for HOLEX, and Simon Parkinson, Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Workers Educational Association. Through their work, they have seen countless examples of how adult education positively impacts lives and communities.

In this conversation, Simon and Dr Sue put forward a passionate case for adult education deserving more recognition and more support from policymakers.

About Dr Sue Pember CBE

Dr Sue started her career as a teacher and is one of the few people in the FE sector who has had senior leadership roles in colleges, local authorities and government. Dr Sue is now the Policy Director for HOLEX, the professional body for adult education services, centres and institutions. Her work concentrates on ensuring the voice of adult learners is heard and she is a keen advocate of lifelong learning  

About Simon Parkinson

Simon Parkinson is the Chief Executive and General Secretary of the WEA - Adult Learning, Within Reach, the leading adult education charity. 

Simon joined the WEA from Co-operative College where he was Principal and CEO for four years and previously worked for 19 years at the Royal Mencap Society, including as Director of Education, Learning and Work.  

Passionate about education and its ability to empower and inspire, Simon believes that through working together, individuals can have a hugely positive impact on their own lives and the wider community. 

Resources 

• Download the transcript for this episode here.

Adult education has been described as a permanent national necessity that should be both universal and lifelong. So, why does it matter so much?

John Holford, Robert Peers Professor of Adult Education Emeritus at the University of Nottingham, was Joint Secretary to the Centenary Commission on Adult Education, which marked 100 years since the publication of the 1919 Report on Adult Education. Having published a range of books, papers and articles on the subject of adult education over the last 40 years, John is the ideal guest to set the scene for the new series of Let’s Go Further.

In this episode, John talks about the last 100 years of adult education, the current policy landscape, and his hopes for the future.

The successes of adult education are best shown by the inspiring stories of adult learners. And so what better way to start the new series than by revisiting the thoughts of Mamello Atisa – a previous guest in series one – about why she is passionate about learning.

Join us for the first episode of Series 3 as we begin our focus on adult education.

About Professor John Holford

John Holford has worked in adult education since the 1970s, as a teacher, researcher and manager, and edited the International Journal of Lifelong Education for two decades. He currently edits a book series, Palgrave Studies in Adult Education and Lifelong Learning.

Over the last 25 years, he has led several major research projects and written or edited many books and articles including, most recently, Lifelong Learning, Young Adults and the Challenges of Disadvantage in Europe.

Who is Mamello Atisa?

Mamello Atisa is currently studying for her Level 2 Certificate in Fashion and Textiles (Pattern Cutting) qualification at Fashion Enter Academy in London and is continuing to find her place in the fashion industry.

Resources

• Learn more and download the Centenary Commission on Adult Education report here.
• Listen to Mamello's episode in series one, where she shares her experience of being an adult learner here.
• Download the transcript for this episode here.

Hi, this is Joe Mcloughlin, presenter of the Let's Go Further podcast. I'm delighted to announce on October 3rd we'll be back with Series 3, when we'll be putting Adult Education under the spotlight.

Across this six episode series, we'll be joined by key players in the sector, and asking whether as a nation we're still committed to the century old vision of adult education as both universal and lifelong. From what and who adult education is really for, to how it should be funded and can benefit individuals, employers and society we will be looking to shed some light on what is gearing up to be a key talking point in the run up to the next general election.

So whether you're a provider, an employer, a politician, policymaker, or someone who simply feels passionately about what adult education can do, please make sure you join us for another inspiring and insightful series of Let's Go Further.

The Church of England is the largest provider of faith-based schools in the UK and has representation in around 80% of further education colleges. So, what is its current role in education and what is its long-term vision?

The Reverend Nigel Genders CBE is Chief Education Officer of the Church of England. In this conversation, he explains how the Church strives to work for the ‘common good’ in education; the link between Christian vocation and vocation in colleges; and the challenges the Church has faced in expanding its work in FE.

We look forward to your company for the last episode of this series, as we conclude our focus on equity, diversity and inclusion.

About Nigel Genders CBE

The Revd Canon Nigel Genders is the Church of England's Chief Education Officer and Chief Executive of the National Society. Nigel leads the work of the Church of England Education Office which serves the church’s ministry with children and young people in churches, schools, colleges and universities. The Church of England provides 4,700 schools educating over a million children and is committed to a vision for education which is deeply Christian, serving the common good.

Nigel’s role in education has developed throughout 31 years of ordained ministry working in a variety of roles, including: vicar, school chaplain, governor of a university, chair of governors in primary and secondary school, Director of Education for Canterbury Diocese, Head of School Policy for the Church of England and he has been Chief Education Officer since 2014.

Nigel was awarded the honour of CBE in the King’s birthday honours list in June 2023.

Resources

• Visit the Church of England's Education and Schools webpages here.
• Download the transcript for this episode here.

Should the care experience be made a protected characteristic?

Our guest in this episode, Josh MacAlister, makes the case that it should be. As Executive Chair of What Works for Children’s Social Care and the lead writer on last year’s Independent Review of Children's Social Care, Josh has learned a lot about what life is like for those who live in care.

Josh says that care-experienced individuals are the most disadvantaged group in society and that we all miss out if they cannot fulfil their potential. Nevertheless, this can change. Josh provides his recommendations for how society, including educators, can better support care-experienced people.

Join us for an important and eye-opening conversation about a group whose stories are rarely told.

About Josh MacAlister

Josh is the Executive Chair of Foundations -the What Works Centre for Children and Families. He is also Co-founder and Chair of SHiFT.

Josh founded the charity Frontline in 2013 and led the organisation for eight years before leaving this role to chair the government commissioned independent review of children’s social care. Josh led the review with a focus on hearing from those with lived experience of and thinking afresh about how we support children to grow up with safety, stability and love. The review concluded in May 2022 and set out a radical plan to reset children’s social care so that it backs those who love and care for children- families, communities and then the care system itself. 

Resources:

• Visit the Foundations website here.
• Review the report published in 2022 here or watch Josh's Sky interview where he highlights some of the radical change needed in the UK here.
• Download the transcript for this episode here.