Shane Chowen

5 days ago | feweek.co.uk | Shane Chowen

Failure to address deep inequalities in the labour market isn’t just an image problem; it holds entire sectors back from meeting their skills needs, stifling innovation and growth. Perhaps none have been forced to come to terms with this more in recent years than one of the most high-profile sports of all, Formula 1. The UK has a rich motorsport heritage, with seven of the ten F1 teams based in the tranquil Oxfordshire and West Midlands countryside, known as Motorsport Valley.

1 week ago | feweek.co.uk | Shane Chowen

The Department for Education’s annual funding rule changes for apprenticeships have become a defining feature of the skills landscape. Intended to refine the system and raise standards, they now risk creating an unintended problem of their own: instability. This isn’t an argument against reform. It’s an argument for better reform. More specifically, recognising that constant change, without sufficient time or support to implement it, risks damaging the very quality we are all trying to protect.

1 week ago | feweek.co.uk | Shane Chowen

More from this theme Recent articles The vast majority of level 7 apprentices will be ineligible for government funding under new age-based restrictions, new data reveals. From January 2026, the Department for Education will only fund new Master’s level apprenticeships for apprentices who are aged 21 and under. Ministers said this will “rebalance” funding towards lower-level training, where it would have the most impact. Existing apprentices can continue as planned.

1 week ago | feweek.co.uk | Shane Chowen

It’s been on the cards for a while, but that won’t soften the blow. From January 2026, those over the age of 21 will no longer qualify for funding for level 7 apprenticeships, considered the equivalent of a Masters’ degree. The decision, confirmed by the Department for Education this morning after months of speculation, will have ramifications for many.

1 week ago | feweek.co.uk | Shane Chowen

More from this theme Recent articles The full board of Skills England was unveiled today, just days before the new body formally replaces the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE). Board chair Phil Smith and vice chair Sir David Bell were announced in February alongside joint chief executives Tessa Griffiths and Sara Maclean and deputy chief executive Gemma Marsh.