Overview

This bill, the Technical and Further Education Bill, focuses on improving apprenticeships and careers advice in further education. Key changes involve financial support for apprentices and ensuring Ofsted considers careers advice when inspecting further education colleges.

Description

The bill addresses two main areas:

Apprenticeship Financial Support

The Lords proposed extending child benefit and Higher Education Bursaries to young people undertaking statutory apprenticeships. The Commons rejected this due to the cost to public funds.

Careers Advice in Further Education

The Lords proposed that Ofsted must consider the quality of careers advice (both face-to-face and remote) when inspecting further education colleges. The Commons amended this, requiring Ofsted inspection reports to comment on careers guidance provided to students under 19, and those aged 19+ with Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans. "Careers guidance" is defined broadly to include guidance on training, education, employment, or occupation.

Government Spending

The Commons rejected the Lords' amendment regarding financial support for apprentices due to its potential cost to public funds. No specific figures were provided in the bill's text.

Groups Affected

Groups potentially affected include:

• Apprentices: The original Lords' amendment would have provided increased financial support, but this was rejected by the Commons.
• Further education students (under 19 and those aged 19+ with EHC plans): The amended bill requires Ofsted to assess and report on the careers guidance provided to these students. This may lead to improved careers advice provision in further education colleges.
• Further education colleges: Colleges will need to ensure they provide adequate careers guidance to meet Ofsted's requirements.
• Ofsted: Ofsted's inspection processes will be modified to include assessment of careers guidance in further education colleges.

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