Feedback during the Big Listen highlighted inspectors’ lack of curriculum knowledge. They often reported on common themes and missed high-level skills developed. The EIF is an education framework, and inspectors must evaluate broader education beyond skills.
Fin promotes having a specific personal development curriculum covering broader skills all learners need to progress in work and their careers. For example, learners who work in roles where they meet customers and clients will benefit from developing some basic customer care skills. First Aid skills, awareness of business scams, assertiveness, and call handling are only a few additional skills we can quickly sequence into the curriculum to produce a higher-skilled individual who will be an asset to their employer.
It is imperative that leaders take the lead in developing a personal development curriculum that encompasses key areas such as safeguarding, Prevent fundamental British values, healthy lifestyles, and relationships. Without this, we cannot expect the best efforts of tutors and coaches to effectively deliver it.