The Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper and local economic development in England

The post-16 Education & Skills White Paper sets out an expansive reform agenda aimed at modernising further and higher education in England. Among the reforms discussed in this Espresso Shot  are the introduction of new 'V Levels' — vocational qualifications at Level 3. In higher education, the agenda includes the launch of a Lifelong Learning Entitlement from 2027 offering four years of loan funding, and a commitment to adjust tuition fees and maintenance loans in line with inflation, conditional on teaching quality.  But perhaps the main challenge for LED and placemaking practitioners is whether the White Paper presages a decisive shift to place-based skills systems.  New 'Civic Agreements' for colleges and universities can strengthen their involvement in local economic development and placemaking if we make the most of them…

The future of vocational qualifications, civic colleges, and adult learning: what it means for local economic development and Local Skills Improvement Plans

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Nov 2025 biscotti briefing_Post-16 E&S White Paper.pdf

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