Welcome to this month’s SDN Mesma Group insights and resources!
- Quality Professional Awards winners announced
- Funding rules 26/27: New subcontracting challenges
- Assessment reform: flexibility is not freedom from risk
- Upcoming professional development
- Reflections on the IEP Summit for employability professionals
We also share our regular round-up of highlights from the news in the FE and skills sector.
Grab a cuppa, have a read, and as always, do share with your friends and colleagues.
Quality Professional Awards winners announced
The winners of The Quality Professionals Awards for Further Education and Employability 2026 were revealed on Friday, 19th June!
- Thirteen award categories
- Eighteen winners
- Fifteen highly commended
- Three hundred attendees
Funding rules 26/27: New subcontracting challenges
100 webinar attendees shared their biggest potential challenge in the 26/27 apprenticeship funding rules. Subcontracting came out on top. It’s one of the most significant changes this year, including updates to the “directly under control” position and an increase in the de minimis threshold from £25,000 to £100,000. Our annual funding rules webinar series explains these changes, what they mean for your organisation, teams, systems and processes, and the key risks and practical actions to consider.
Assessment reform: flexibility is not freedom from risk
Assessment reform is increasing flexibility — but it still relies on good decisions in practice. This blog by Technical Education Specialist, Stephen King, highlights a key challenge: it’s not just how much assessment providers take on, but how well it’s designed and delivered. Read the full blog here.
Upcoming SDN Mesma Group professional development:
Our professional development will move you from theory to practice.
- Embedding Effective Assessment in Apprenticeships | 15 Jul
- Be an Effective Ofsted Nominee under the Revised Ofsted EIF | Starts 13 Jul
- Practically Implement the 26-27 Apprenticeship Funding Rules | 24 Jul
- Apprenticeship compliance fundamentals for your role | Starts 18 Aug
We offer group bookings and bespoke sessions tailored to your organisation’s needs.
Can’t make the live date? Most sessions are recorded. Register your place and we will send you the recording and/or resources once the sessions have taken place.
You can also register your interest in future dates.
IEP Summit for employability professionals
At this year’s IEP Summit, Zoe Bolger reflects on the conversations that mattered most, not just about technology, skills and employment support, but about keeping people at the heart of decision-making. From the role of AI in frontline delivery to the importance of quality, progression and meaningful work, the event highlighted the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector. Read Zoe’s key takeaways and why the discussions felt so relevant to the work providers, employers and partners are doing every day.
Top News from the FE and Skills Sector
- FE Week reveals the standards most likely to get extra cash as Smith intervenes
- Skills England scales back employer role in funding decisions – ‘Temporary’ model lands days after urgent apprenticeship rates review ordered
- Apprenticeship subcontracting review launched by DWP – Summer review will examine policy, rules and definitions, with reforms due from January 2027
- CITB launches fast-track apprenticeship ‘hub’ grants – Scheme aims to half the delivery time of homebuilding apprenticeships
- Employer Engagement Must Become a Growth Function for Higher Education – Adam Herbert, CEO, Go Live Data
- Education Secretary accepts the School Teachers Review Body’s pay recommendations in full
Recent sector reports:
National Statistics: Recent figures from the Department for Education show apprenticeship starts have increased by 11.9% and Higher Apprenticeship starts (Level 4+) grew by 23.5%
EngineeringUK Report: Identifies that 29% of all starts are in engineering and technology, driven heavily by a 17% YoY increase in digital technology apprenticeships. It notes female participation has grown 94% since 2018/19.