Latest Publications

This report, kindly supported by the Further Education Trust for Leadership, argues that a shift in mindset is needed to promote and strengthen leadership in further education colleges. Reforms to the system are necessary as well as cultural change in the sector and beyond.

The future of Further Education and the backgrounds of college leaders Further education colleges provide skills to 2.2 million adults and 16-18 year-olds. Compared to those on the skill level...

This report assesses the factors that affect the value of apprenticeships, and the emerging evidence on whether the current policy will deliver high value apprenticeships. It argues that government needs to do more to steer the market towards apprenticeships that will deliver good returns and that are resilient to change in the wider economy.

This report examines the current role vocational education plays in preparing young people for higher education, and how students can be helped to pursue the most appropriate learning and career path.

The report argues that maximising FE and skills’ ability to boost the technical skills of British workers, young and old, should be an urgent priority for politicians

This second report seeks to understand how taking a vocational qualification affects young people’s career prospects and progression into higher education.

This research examines how take up of vocational courses has changed in recent years; how parents view vocational qualifications; and the issues school leaders contend with when deciding what courses to offer.

The SMF has undertaken research to look at what types of apprenticeships create the most value, in terms of both wages and firm performance.

This briefing paper summarises early findings from the first part of the project, which looks at the value of apprenticeships to workers in terms of how much extra earnings an apprenticeship delivers.