Lewis Cooper
@lewis-cooper.bsky.social
Public Affairs and Campaigns Director, AoC (Association of Colleges)
Reposted by Lewis Cooper
🤝 Skills England should challenge the government over FE funding gaps and 'excessive competition and poor alignment' between colleges and universities, a new report has said feweek.co.uk/skills-engla...
Skills England urged to confront government on FE funding
Joint AoC and UUK report also calls for 'excessive' competition to be challenged
feweek.co.uk
October 10, 2025 at 7:40 AM
🤝 Skills England should challenge the government over FE funding gaps and 'excessive competition and poor alignment' between colleges and universities, a new report has said feweek.co.uk/skills-engla...
Reposted by Lewis Cooper
A “major shift” in policy is needed if Labour is to succeed in uniting England’s post-16 education and skills system and reaching its new target for participation, a report has argued
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/significant-policy-reform-needed-meet-labours-skills-agenda
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/significant-policy-reform-needed-meet-labours-skills-agenda
October 10, 2025 at 6:25 AM
A “major shift” in policy is needed if Labour is to succeed in uniting England’s post-16 education and skills system and reaching its new target for participation, a report has argued
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/significant-policy-reform-needed-meet-labours-skills-agenda
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/significant-policy-reform-needed-meet-labours-skills-agenda
Reposted by Lewis Cooper
Ahead of the CSR, college leaders across the UK back the UK Government's ambitions for economic growth and opportunity, but say that to truly deliver on these, Whitehall must invest. Colleges:
💪 Empower Young People
🧱 Support Industry
📚 Uplift Adults.
nation.cymru/news/college... @colegau.cymru
💪 Empower Young People
🧱 Support Industry
📚 Uplift Adults.
nation.cymru/news/college... @colegau.cymru
College leaders from all four UK nations unite to call for more cash from PM
College leaders have come together to urge the Prime Minister to provide more cash for the sector in the UK Government’s upcoming spending review. The first-of-its-kind letter has been sent to Sir Kei...
nation.cymru
June 10, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Ahead of the CSR, college leaders across the UK back the UK Government's ambitions for economic growth and opportunity, but say that to truly deliver on these, Whitehall must invest. Colleges:
💪 Empower Young People
🧱 Support Industry
📚 Uplift Adults.
nation.cymru/news/college... @colegau.cymru
💪 Empower Young People
🧱 Support Industry
📚 Uplift Adults.
nation.cymru/news/college... @colegau.cymru
Reposted by Lewis Cooper
We’re hiring! Please share if you can @medr.bsky.social @emmaraczka.bsky.social @josephbaldwin.bsky.social @llandrillomenai.bsky.social @nptcgroup.bsky.social @bridgendcollege.bsky.social @lewis-cooper.bsky.social @fenews.bsky.social @susietsegay.bsky.social
📢 VACANCY ✨
We're looking for a 🌟 SENIOR ADVISER - POLICY AND PARTNERSHIPS 🌟 to join our busy Team!
📅 Closing Date: 5 May 2025
👇 Visit our website for further details:👇
www.colleges.wales/en/page/care...
@rachcable.bsky.social @davehagendyk.bsky.social @kellyledwards.bsky.social
We're looking for a 🌟 SENIOR ADVISER - POLICY AND PARTNERSHIPS 🌟 to join our busy Team!
📅 Closing Date: 5 May 2025
👇 Visit our website for further details:👇
www.colleges.wales/en/page/care...
@rachcable.bsky.social @davehagendyk.bsky.social @kellyledwards.bsky.social
April 14, 2025 at 6:34 AM
Reposted by Lewis Cooper
Great to see this package of measures helping colleges to scale up their construction training, in partnership with employers. Looking forward to working with DfE on making it happen. Pleased that colleges being recognised for how vital they are on this
👷♀️ The chancellor has announced plans to invest over half a £bn into training new construction workers through 10 ‘technical excellence colleges’, more skills bootcamps and financial incentives for foundation apprenticeships
Chancellor to pour £600m into construction training
The chancellor announces £600m investment into training construction workers, 10 new ‘technical excellence colleges’ and foundation apprenticeships.
feweek.co.uk
March 23, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Great to see this package of measures helping colleges to scale up their construction training, in partnership with employers. Looking forward to working with DfE on making it happen. Pleased that colleges being recognised for how vital they are on this
Reposted by Lewis Cooper
I seem to spend quite a lot of my time in this space (ie between industrial strategy and skills)…
Good stuff from @pmdfoster.bsky.social at @financialtimes.com
www.ft.com/content/c14b...
Good stuff from @pmdfoster.bsky.social at @financialtimes.com
www.ft.com/content/c14b...
UK growth push held back by poor Whitehall co-ordination, watchdog finds
National Audit Office says departments needs to work together more effectively on industrial strategy
www.ft.com
March 12, 2025 at 11:14 AM
I seem to spend quite a lot of my time in this space (ie between industrial strategy and skills)…
Good stuff from @pmdfoster.bsky.social at @financialtimes.com
www.ft.com/content/c14b...
Good stuff from @pmdfoster.bsky.social at @financialtimes.com
www.ft.com/content/c14b...
Reposted by Lewis Cooper
For #CollegesWeek2025 I'm proud to draw attention to the incredible work of Bracknell and Wokingham College delivering cutting-edge skills education right in the heart of Bracknell
Great to see @peter4bracknell.bsky.social highlight our work in Parliament this week! 🎉
He spoke about how we're equipping young people with future-ready skills through courses and #apprenticeships in health, sustainable tech, construction & more. ⚡🔧
Thank you for your support!
#EduSky #FE_UK
He spoke about how we're equipping young people with future-ready skills through courses and #apprenticeships in health, sustainable tech, construction & more. ⚡🔧
Thank you for your support!
#EduSky #FE_UK
March 4, 2025 at 2:39 PM
For #CollegesWeek2025 I'm proud to draw attention to the incredible work of Bracknell and Wokingham College delivering cutting-edge skills education right in the heart of Bracknell
Reposted by Lewis Cooper
One reason I am sceptical of the idea there are real-world savings to be had from the bucket marked 'welfare' is shouldn't some people who are currently 'NEET' (not in education, employment or training) be....in further education?
Colleges of further education in England will get less funding than promised
Reduction to two-thirds of budgeted top-up payments for additional students a sign of looming government squeezes
www.ft.com
March 5, 2025 at 11:48 PM
One reason I am sceptical of the idea there are real-world savings to be had from the bucket marked 'welfare' is shouldn't some people who are currently 'NEET' (not in education, employment or training) be....in further education?
Reposted by Lewis Cooper
Congratulations to the newly appointed leadership team at #SkillsEngland. Looking forward to working with them to help establish a better, coherent, inclusive post-16 education and skills system
A tech industry leader and a former DfE permanent secretary have been selected to lead Skills England as chair and vice chair
And two job-sharing civil servants will take the reins as joint CEOs of the new agency
feweek.co.uk/tech-exec-an...
And two job-sharing civil servants will take the reins as joint CEOs of the new agency
feweek.co.uk/tech-exec-an...
Tech exec and ex-DfE perm sec to lead Skills England
Phil Smith and David Bell named chair and vice chair respectively, while two senior civil servants will jobshare as CEO
feweek.co.uk
February 11, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Congratulations to the newly appointed leadership team at #SkillsEngland. Looking forward to working with them to help establish a better, coherent, inclusive post-16 education and skills system
Reposted by Lewis Cooper
🌎 Esol provision has changed drastically but what are the real benefits of devolution?
@wmc-adultlearning.bsky.social 's Ziya Moustafa
@wmc-adultlearning.bsky.social 's Ziya Moustafa
feweek.co.uk
February 5, 2025 at 7:45 AM
🌎 Esol provision has changed drastically but what are the real benefits of devolution?
@wmc-adultlearning.bsky.social 's Ziya Moustafa
@wmc-adultlearning.bsky.social 's Ziya Moustafa
Reposted by Lewis Cooper
Further to my question to the PM on improving training in trade skills, it was great to meet with the Minister for Skills, alongside MidKent College’s CEO
A productive discussion on how we support young people across Medway to fulfil their potential &how we can improve and grow our training offer.
A productive discussion on how we support young people across Medway to fulfil their potential &how we can improve and grow our training offer.
February 4, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Further to my question to the PM on improving training in trade skills, it was great to meet with the Minister for Skills, alongside MidKent College’s CEO
A productive discussion on how we support young people across Medway to fulfil their potential &how we can improve and grow our training offer.
A productive discussion on how we support young people across Medway to fulfil their potential &how we can improve and grow our training offer.
Reposted by Lewis Cooper
"The SMF estimates that last year a total of £431 million was spent on funding apprenticeships for people who already held degrees."
Yet more coverage of my new @smfthinktank.bsky.social report - out today.
Report link: bit.ly/3DXrd2S
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/bar-gra...
Yet more coverage of my new @smfthinktank.bsky.social report - out today.
Report link: bit.ly/3DXrd2S
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/bar-gra...
Bar graduates from enrolling on apprenticeships, urges thinktank
Social Market Foundation estimates more than £430 million was spent last year on funding apprenticeships for people who already hold degrees
www.timeshighereducation.com
January 9, 2025 at 12:39 PM
"The SMF estimates that last year a total of £431 million was spent on funding apprenticeships for people who already held degrees."
Yet more coverage of my new @smfthinktank.bsky.social report - out today.
Report link: bit.ly/3DXrd2S
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/bar-gra...
Yet more coverage of my new @smfthinktank.bsky.social report - out today.
Report link: bit.ly/3DXrd2S
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/bar-gra...
Great piece from Audrey Cumberford in the @thescotsmanpaper.bsky.social making the case for strengthening regional tertiary systems across Scotland - allowing colleges and unis to play a more active & better coordinated role in regional economic development www.scotsman.com/education/sn...
SNP urged to give power to regions to boost economy and save Scotland's colleges and universities
Principal says each area should be handed new ‘authority, freedom and autonomy’
www.scotsman.com
January 8, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Great piece from Audrey Cumberford in the @thescotsmanpaper.bsky.social making the case for strengthening regional tertiary systems across Scotland - allowing colleges and unis to play a more active & better coordinated role in regional economic development www.scotsman.com/education/sn...
'The government should spend some of its £2.1 billion revenue from the immigration skills charge to boost declining levels of ESOL funding over the last seven years.' @feweek.bsky.social write-up of joint @aoc-info.bsky.social- Bell Foundation report out yesterday. feweek.co.uk/aoc-immigrat...
ESOL: Immigration charge on businesses should fund courses
The government should spend some of its £2.1 billion revenue from the immigration skills charge to boost declining levels of ESOL funding over the last 7years
feweek.co.uk
January 8, 2025 at 10:07 AM
'The government should spend some of its £2.1 billion revenue from the immigration skills charge to boost declining levels of ESOL funding over the last seven years.' @feweek.bsky.social write-up of joint @aoc-info.bsky.social- Bell Foundation report out yesterday. feweek.co.uk/aoc-immigrat...
Reposted by Lewis Cooper
One thing I love about the Paris cycling revolution is it’s also reminding us of the power of cities to imagine different futures. In line with a long history of municipal reforms stretching back to mid-19th century.
“A car-choked capital is transforming before our eyes, the dream of urbanites around the world who are eager to reassess the automobile’s dominant role in the city. The question posed by [Paris] transcends the daily debate over bicycles & cars. It is nothing less than this: Who is the city for?”
How Paris Pulled Off What New York and London Can Only Dream About
One parking structure pivoted to growing mushrooms and endives.
slate.com
January 5, 2025 at 8:13 AM
One thing I love about the Paris cycling revolution is it’s also reminding us of the power of cities to imagine different futures. In line with a long history of municipal reforms stretching back to mid-19th century.
Reposted by Lewis Cooper
Have written for @politicshome.bsky.social on how HM Treasury makes its biggest decisions, how this has changed in recent years and how this looks to be changing for the future.
What is the 'fiscal triangle'?
@labourtogether.bsky.social's former Treasury adviser @jpspencer.bsky.social explains the key formula behind HMT decision-making
'start by picturing a big oval-shaped wooden table...'
@labourtogether.bsky.social's former Treasury adviser @jpspencer.bsky.social explains the key formula behind HMT decision-making
'start by picturing a big oval-shaped wooden table...'
The Fiscal Triangle: How The Treasury Decides What To Spend
JP Spencer, a former Treasury senior policy adviser, explains how the ‘fiscal triangle’ is at the core of every spending decision it makes
www.politicshome.com
January 3, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Have written for @politicshome.bsky.social on how HM Treasury makes its biggest decisions, how this has changed in recent years and how this looks to be changing for the future.
Reposted by Lewis Cooper
Solid article on Britain's skills needs on.ft.com/41wa0HC
Takeaways:
-300,000 houses/annum isn't just about planning. May not even be the biggest constraint
- countries succeeding in this area devolve skills needs
- construction cyclicality a big issue
- overseas route under strain
Takeaways:
-300,000 houses/annum isn't just about planning. May not even be the biggest constraint
- countries succeeding in this area devolve skills needs
- construction cyclicality a big issue
- overseas route under strain
Does the UK have enough workers to ‘get Britain building’?
The Labour government dreams of kick-starting a housebuilding boom, but the construction sector relies heavily on migrants to plug a skills gap
on.ft.com
December 13, 2024 at 6:58 AM
Solid article on Britain's skills needs on.ft.com/41wa0HC
Takeaways:
-300,000 houses/annum isn't just about planning. May not even be the biggest constraint
- countries succeeding in this area devolve skills needs
- construction cyclicality a big issue
- overseas route under strain
Takeaways:
-300,000 houses/annum isn't just about planning. May not even be the biggest constraint
- countries succeeding in this area devolve skills needs
- construction cyclicality a big issue
- overseas route under strain
Reposted by Lewis Cooper
1/8. OECD’s survey of adult skills is a once-in-a-decade test of what people know across 31 countries, including England (but not rest of UK). There’s a lot going on but I’d say this is a big story
www.oecd.org/en/publicati...
www.oecd.org/en/publicati...
Do Adults Have the Skills They Need to Thrive in a Changing World?
The 2023 Survey of Adult Skills, a product of the OECD Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), provides a comprehensive overview of adults' literacy, numeracy, and ad...
www.oecd.org
December 11, 2024 at 7:32 PM
1/8. OECD’s survey of adult skills is a once-in-a-decade test of what people know across 31 countries, including England (but not rest of UK). There’s a lot going on but I’d say this is a big story
www.oecd.org/en/publicati...
www.oecd.org/en/publicati...
Reposted by Lewis Cooper
We were thrilled to launch our 'Mission accepted' report in the House of Lords yesterday, celebrating the incredible work of colleges alongside college members and parliamentarians.
You can read the report here: www.aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...
You can read the report here: www.aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...
December 10, 2024 at 11:08 AM
We were thrilled to launch our 'Mission accepted' report in the House of Lords yesterday, celebrating the incredible work of colleges alongside college members and parliamentarians.
You can read the report here: www.aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...
You can read the report here: www.aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...
Reposted by Lewis Cooper
Honoured to attend @AoC_info Winter reception & to meet our supportive local MPs @LSEColleges today, discussing all things FE, Skills & SEND with @danfrancis02 @helenhayes_ and our amazing local & sector advocate @DLawrenceOBE @UKHouseofLords 👇
December 9, 2024 at 4:18 PM
Honoured to attend @AoC_info Winter reception & to meet our supportive local MPs @LSEColleges today, discussing all things FE, Skills & SEND with @danfrancis02 @helenhayes_ and our amazing local & sector advocate @DLawrenceOBE @UKHouseofLords 👇
Reposted by Lewis Cooper
Great to meet Lisa Capper the new principal of Sandwell College just five weeks into her new job! Of course we talked apprenticeships, adult skills, basic skills, Esol - and what we can do to drive up skills and quals and good jobs in Tipton and Wednesbury
December 9, 2024 at 4:18 PM
Great to meet Lisa Capper the new principal of Sandwell College just five weeks into her new job! Of course we talked apprenticeships, adult skills, basic skills, Esol - and what we can do to drive up skills and quals and good jobs in Tipton and Wednesbury
Reposted by Lewis Cooper
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!
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!
December 4, 2024 at 4:35 PM
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!
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!
Reposted by Lewis Cooper
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!
December 4, 2024 at 4:30 PM
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!
Reposted by Lewis Cooper
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
December 4, 2024 at 10:17 AM
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
Reposted by Lewis Cooper
The additional £10million in-year funding for colleges from Welsh Government is very welcome - and a recognition of the budget pressures facing the FE sector www.colleges.wales/en/blog/post...
ColegauCymru welcomes additional in-year college funding - ColegauCymru
Today, the Welsh Government has announced an additional £10million in-year allocation to support the further education sector this year.
www.colleges.wales
December 4, 2024 at 11:08 AM
The additional £10million in-year funding for colleges from Welsh Government is very welcome - and a recognition of the budget pressures facing the FE sector www.colleges.wales/en/blog/post...