IfATE – The Big Conversation

28 September, 2022

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) is asking employers, education providers, apprentices and more to take its call as part of the Big Conversation. IfATE’s “The Big Conversation” is your chance to have your say on the apprenticeship and technical skills system

The Skills System is the way all the different parts of the technical education system work together. There are five components:

  • The range of apprenticeships and technical qualifications on offer.
  • The quality of apprenticeships technical qualifications on offer.
  • How far apprenticeships and technical qualifications make the country better by supporting national priorities, like social mobility.
  • How far apprenticeships and technical skills qualifications help their workforce progress all through their career, be it in their own business, sector or region.
  • How far all organisations involved in apprenticeships and technical skills education work together to create a cohesive system across sectors and regions.

They would like to hear from everyone using apprenticeships or technical qualifications to contribute feedback – what works, what doesn’t and what can be improved. Your views will be analysed and used to inform a major IfATE report next year.

The themes in The Big Conversation include:

  1. Qualifications: Breadth and range of qualifications
  2. National System: How far the skills system supports national priorities, such as the levelling up agenda
  3. Progression: How far the system allows you, your organisation, or your region to progress
  4. Confidence: How confident you feel that the system can deliver what your business or region needs
  5. Quality: Quality of the system and the qualifications which support it.

There are lots of ways to take part, including face to face or virtual meetings, workshops or online channels.

Click here to take part or find out more about The Big Conversation.