Apprenticeships, Ofsted, Training Providers

Provider censured after sexual harassment reports from construction apprentices

Prime failed to oversee safeguarding at subcontractor

Tallulah Taylor
Tallulah Taylor
WorldSkills

WorldSkills 2022: Team UK win bronze in Industry 4.0

The first finals of this year’s WorldSkills competition have taken place – and the UK is already on the…

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Ofsted

Top Ofsted marks for online adult education provider

Over 350 adults mostly from disadvantaged backgrounds are supported

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Colleges, DfE

DfE drive to improve FE governance and staff retention

Early notices for contracts worth over £10 million have been published for mentoring and governance commitments

Jason Noble
Jason Noble
WorldSkills

Team UK jet off for special WorldSkills competition

61 finals take place in 15 countries with more than 1,000 competitors over the next two months

Tallulah Taylor
Tallulah Taylor
Industrial action

Picket lines swell as college staff strike in bid for higher pay

Unions have called for a 10% rise to help with the cost-of-living crisis

Tallulah Taylor
Tallulah Taylor


Apprenticeships

Making it easier for SMEs to take on apprentices at top of skills minister’s agenda

But she is yet to be party to departmental conversations about making this happen

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
14-16

Researchers to explore 14-16 college provision for first time

Study will assess outcomes for around 10,000 direct entry learners

Jason Noble
Jason Noble
Colleges

Religious sixth form colleges to academise from 2023

Regulations are expected to come into force this autumn

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Apprenticeships, Ofsted

Ofsted leaves a bitter taste for online-only dental school

Ofsted reported that no apprentices will finish their course in time

Jason Noble
Jason Noble
Apprenticeships

New funding rule for breaks in employment WILL apply to existing apprentices

The DfE published version two of the apprenticeship funding rules today

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Higher education

Consultation launches on ‘risk register’ for HE colleges and universities

Office for Students says colleges and universities will be expected to evidence potential risks to equality

Jason Noble
Jason Noble

Must read

Colleges

Weston College governance failure allowed ‘concealment’ of £2.5m payments to former principal

Paul Phillips was paid £1.8m in 2023, including a ‘significant’ six-figure retention payment which his COO son ‘resisted’ paying…

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
T Levels

NAO reveals enormity of T Level take-up failure

Forecasts missed by 75% and secret DfE estimates show staff and employer shortages could limit places to 48,000 students

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Adult education, ITPs

Mayors dump adult education cuts on independent training providers

Up to two-thirds axed from devolved procured budgets

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
Bootcamps, Skills bootcamps

Coding firm caught charging students for free bootcamps

Ed tech provider ‘regretful’ after complaints and promises full refunds as bosses try to sue DfE over non-payments

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Frances Read
Apprenticeships

Entrepreneur chased for millions after apprenticeship collapse

ESFA uncovers ‘fake’ taxi apprentices as liquidator reveals intercompany payments days after firm decided to shut

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Adult education

Fury as DfE cuts adult education budgets

Combined authorities told to expect reductions in ‘already deeply diminished’ adult skills funding

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen