Great 2nd day of the College Alliance's international conference- inc. keynotes from Barney Glover, Jobs & Skills Australia and @pmdfoster.bsky.social @financialtimes.com, a case study exploring the skills system in the Basque Country & a panel of employers from across NI &Ireland #TCAinternational
Some thoughts from #TCAInternational on what FE needs to thrive:
1. A trust-based funding environment
2. accountability based on outcomes
2. The opportunity to shape their offer to meet local/sector needs
3. Structures that facilitate meaningful partnerships with employers
4. Collaboration!
So many thanks to @hughesdavid.bsky.social and @lewis-cooper.bsky.social for inviting me to #TCAInternational. Such a brilliant event and so many fascinating conversations, my mind is completely buzzing!
Fascinating to here from @pmdfoster.bsky.social about a growing (if still slightly confused) political and policy consensus around the importance of skills, the potential for FE to position itself as key to this but the need to avoid this becoming an oppositional HE/FE battle #TCAInternational
Examples of how industry and education providers work together to make qualifications more job relevant
This is how Australia is seeking to close the suitability gap - I.e where there are sufficient numbers of people with the right qualifications but employers say they don’t have the right skills for the job #TCAInternational
Australia seeking to reset the imbalance between the growth in higher education and the lack of growth in technical qualifications. Same the world over it seems #TCAInternational
List of Jobs & Skills Australia’s legislative functions
Day 2 of #TCAinternational begins with a presentation about the new Jobs & Skills Australia. These are their legislative functions - some similar to those we see here, some slightly different. V interesting
Really good first day of the College Alliance's international conference, at Belfast Met College - a great range of international inputs from Sweden, South Africa, Singapore and the OECD, along case studies from across the four UK nations and Ireland #TCAinternational
Barriers to training for those who want to train are time, costs and balancing competing priorities. But a lot of demand side support for lifelong learning. A right to education leave as well as financial incentives may be needed. #TCAInternational
Digital jobs increasing but requires widely diffused basic digital competencies. AI requires most human competencies such as critical thinking etc. Green transition doesn’t necessarily mean job losses but needs redistribution of new jobs #TCAInternational.
Some trends from the OECD in relation to lifelong learning in a transforming labour market. In the U.K. unemployment is low but economic inactivity high, rising most for 16 -24 yr olds and 50 -60 years. Long term sickness a key reason, worst among those with few qualifications #TCAInternational
Hearing about the FE strategy in Northern Ireland at #TCAInternational and lots of very encouraging references to intentionality in policy making across all aspects of the College role - social, wellbeing as well as the economy.
Hearing about the broader place making role that Belfast Met has played particularly in the Titanic Quarter alongside its role in the regional economy. We really must not forget this vital aspect of FE. #TCAinternational
I am at #TCAinternational in Belfast where we are looking at shaping the future of FE. Big themes - what do colleges need to thrive, what role should employers play & how does FE raise its profile with the media and policy makers alike.
