This report presents research that provides an understanding of the current impact of the low levels of investment in training in the UK and, in addition, tries to quantify how many people’s potential contribution to society is being squandered as a result of not having access to regular skills development. And the inevitable impact of that on social mobility.

Our third seminar in our series on the social role of colleges will be on 22nd June from 10 – 11.30 EST. It will be by Dr Jakob Kost, who is a visiting scholar with us, and a lecturer at Bern University of Teacher Education in Switzerland. He will be discussing Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences – this will be of special interest to those working in colleges that offer bachelor's degrees and undertake applied research, but are thinking about whether they should venture into offering master's degrees.

I just wanted to remind you that Leeds Trinity University invite you to their free third Race, Equity and Social Justice: Decoloniality of the Academy Conference on Thursday 24th March, between 09:00 and 16:15 via Microsoft Teams.

There is an urgent need to address the structural and everyday racism that exists in education systems across the world. Black, Indigenous and minority ethnic children are being systematically failed by schooling systems. Curriculum often fails to represent and affirm the diversity of language and culture. School practices can reproduce rather than challenge racial hierarchies. The inequitable financing and marketisation of school systems entrench racialised segregation and exclusion.