Let's Go Further

In this episode of Let's Go Further , we continue our exploration of equity, diversity and inclusion across the skills and education sector focusing on how art and creativity supports learners development, confidence and accessibility. With creative subjects historically being squeezed out of the traditional curriculum, this conversation examines how a foundational belief in creativity can empower...

In this episode of Let's Go Further , we continue our exploration of equity, diversity and inclusion across the skills and education sector focusing on how better support for neurodivergent learners and colleagues can create more inclusive environments for everyone. With diagnoses of neurodiversity rising across the UK, and recent government plans to reform the special educational needs and disabi...

In this episode, we dive into the heart of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) to explore why these aren't just policy buzzwords, but the lifeblood of a thriving Further Education sector. We examine the positive case for strengthening EDI initiatives and discuss why the FE and skills landscape is uniquely positioned to drive social mobility and life-changing results for learners and their commu...

In this episode we're looking at the FE and skills curriculum and asking what a new government need s to do to ensure it is fit for purpose and future-proof .   To do this we're joined by David Gallagher, CEO of NCFE , an educational charity and leader in vocational and technical learning, and Karen Spencer, Principal and Chief Executive of Harlow College .  From the importance of Level 2 qualific...

In this episode, we're talking about the g reen c urriculum and asking how we develop an education and training system that creates a skilled workforce for new and emerging industries. We're asking what role FE can play and what the next government can do to support colleges seeking to skill and reskill the workers needed to tackle the major global challenges from climate change to food security....

In this episode, we're talking about Artificial Intelligence in Further Education and asking if it's something to be feared or celebrated. We're joined by Hull College Principa l and CEO, and self-confessed digital optimist, Debra Gray MBE .  We 're also joined by Paul McKean, Director of Further Education, Skills and Training at Jisc, the UK digital, data and technology agency focused on tertiary...

In this episode, we're asking who is plugging the skills gap? To discuss this we're joined by Naomi Clayton , Director of Policy and Research at the Learning and Work Institute , an independent policy, research and development organisation dedicated to lifelong learning, full employment and inclusion.    We're also joined by Sam Tuckett, Associate Director of Post- 16 and Skills at the Education P...

In this episode, we're speaking to Jane Gratton   who leads on employment and skills fo r the UK 's Accredited Chambers of Commerce and the 50,000 plus businesses they represent . We're also joined by Nicola Drury, Head of Skills and Apprenticeships at Amazon, recognised as the top employer in the UK for 2024.  We're discussing the ever-growing skills gap and asking our guests what employers want...

In this episode, we're speaking to the economist, academic, and life peer, Baroness Alison Wolf CBE , Non-Executive Director at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology since 2023. Author of the Wolf Report which led to major reforms in vocational education for 14 to 18 year-olds, Baroness Wolf specialises in the relationship between education and the labour market and has acted as an...

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 b...

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 s...

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 Prin...

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...

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 Worker...

The skills gap. It's a phrase you're likely to hear whenever adult education is discussed. But do we focus on gaps and deficiencies too much? Giving adults the skills they need to adapt to the rapidly changing economy is important. However, Dr. Fiona Aldridge says lifelong learning shouldn't only exist to fill gaps but should be something positive that all of us do. Dr. Fiona has pursued her inter...

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. Havi...

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 li...

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 edu...

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 individual...

Have you, your daughter, or another woman you know ever been called 'bossy'? If so, you might relate to this episode of Let's Go Further. We speak to two highly successful women from the fields of politics and education: Jess Phillips, Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley and Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding, and Debra Gray MBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Hull College Group...

Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia – most of us have heard of these neurodiverse conditions. But even if you do not have a diagnosed condition, you are still neurodiverse in some way – no two human minds are the same. In this episode, we hear from Dr Louise Karwowski, Director of Education at Cognassist, and Paul Eeles, Chief Executive at the Skills and Education Group. Louise says that individua...

In the UK, we imprison more people per head of population than any other country in Europe. The financial cost of this is huge and reoffending rates are high – so what needs to change? In this episode, we look at how education can break the cycle of reoffending, focusing on the example of The Clink Charity, who aim to reduce reoffending by training prisoners in a restaurant setting. Join us to hea...

At a time when the media is so focused on transgender lives – often in a negative way – it's important to listen to transgender voices. Jake and Hannah Graf are the UK's most prominent transgender couple and are proud champions of the LGBT community. This is a chance to hear about their personal journeys and their perspectives on a range of issues affecting trans people. In this thought-provoking...

Sex education – some find it uncomfortable, others find it controversial. But Dougie Boyd is here to make the case that it's essential. Dougie is Director of Education and Wellbeing at Brook , a charity that supports people with their sexual health and wellbeing. In this episode, he and Joe discuss relationships and sexual health education (RSE) – something that was only made mandatory in schools...

How do we stop talking about racism at school and work and do something about it? In the first episode of our second series, we're in conversation with television presenter Will Njobvu to talk about the need for greater diversity and representation in schools and colleges as well as in the workplace. Will has regularly featured as a co-host on Channel 5's flagship daytime chat  show, Jeremy Vine....