Insights

Discover news, insights and impact.

Analysis, commentary and news from the National College of Education on programmes, workforce development and the future of the education sector.

Specialist teaching assistant supporting a child in a UK primary classroom

Latest· 10 June 2026· 4 min read

SEND Reform Is Not a Paper Exercise. It Is a Workforce Challenge.

SEND reform is shifting from compliance to capability. Discover how workforce development can build sustainable, inclusive practice.

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Latest news & updates

10 articles

Apprentice reflecting in a notebook at a desk

Insights· 3 min read

What does off the job training really mean and how can you manage it?

Off-the-job training is one of the most misunderstood aspects of apprenticeships. Here is how to make it work as a driver of improvement.

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A young apprentice reviewing bills and study materials at home

Insights· 3 min read

Real life, real issues: The Hidden Threat to Apprenticeship Success

Financial pressure and time squeeze are now the dominant threats to apprentice wellbeing and completion, according to The BIG Apprentice Survey Report 2026.

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A workplace mentor and apprentice reviewing charts together

Insights· 3 min read

The BIG Apprenticeship Survey Report

Line manager support is one of the strongest predictors of apprentice success. Findings from The BIG Apprentice Survey Report 2026.

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UK careers adviser meeting with a sixth-form student

Insights· 3 min read

Using the apprenticeship levy to build a first class careers service

How schools and colleges can use the apprenticeship levy to transform careers provision and support broader progression pathways.

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Youth worker with a small group of teenagers in a community centre

Insights· 1 min read

Why youth work needs apprenticeships now more than ever

Youth work has faced sustained pressure in recent years. Apprenticeships are a practical part of rebuilding the workforce.

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UK school leaders reviewing policy documents in a boardroom

Insights· 3 min read

The changing apprenticeship landscape: what employers need to know

Expectations around quality, impact and employer engagement have increased. Here is what has changed and how to respond.

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Roundtable event during National Apprenticeship Week

Insights· 3 min read

National apprenticeship week: what’s coming up

How National Apprenticeship Week 2026 is being used to reflect on skills, progression and productivity across the sector.

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Degree apprentices at a UK university campus

Insights· 3 min read

Why degree apprenticeships are so important

Degree apprenticeships have moved from being an alternative pathway to becoming a core part of workforce planning across education.

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Teaching assistant reading with a child in a UK primary classroom

Insights· 3 min read

Training the People Who Make Inclusion Work: Turning the DfE's SEND Investment into Classroom Impact

The DfE's £200 million SEND training commitment is significant, but awareness alone doesn't change outcomes. Here is how school leaders can turn investment into classroom impact.

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