News

Minister says the quality of an FE course should be judged by job outcomes

The FE sector should judge the quality of their training programmes on the jobs that learners end up in,…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Apprenticeship providers call on government to find three months of ‘catch-up’ cash

The volume of apprentices who require more training due to Covid-19 interruptions is starting to “spiral steeply”, providers have…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Colleges need cash to employ ‘business innovation account managers’, says AoC

A lack of funding is holding colleges back from hiring “specific business innovation account managers” to help initiate an…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

‘Nothing to fear’ if colleges brought into public ownership, says AoC chief in tense exchange with MPs

Colleges have “nothing to fear” about being brought into public ownership, the head of their membership organisation told MPs…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofqual calls time on estimated grades for BTECs and other vocational qualifications

Ofqual has ruled out the use of calculated grades to award vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs) again. Following this…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

College leaders called on to help prevent unnecessary surge in coronavirus testing

Principals have been urged to stop students and staff with a sore throat or headache from getting unnecessary coronavirus…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

Ofqual and the exams fiasco: 8 interesting things we learned

Senior staff from the exams regulator were hauled infront of the education select committee today where they were grilled…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofsted’s autumn visits: what FE providers need to know

Ofsted has today published further details about how their “interim visits” of FE providers will work this autumn. The…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofqual moots online tests as plan B for 2021 exams

Ofqual has confirmed exams will go ahead next year come what may, saying that it is looking at online…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofqual: ‘Fundamental mistake’ to believe algorithm grades would ‘ever be acceptable to public’

The “fundamental mistake” made by Ofqual throughout this year’s exams debacle was to believe that its calculated grades “would…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Funding audits to restart this month for private providers – but not colleges

New routine funding audits will restart on a remote basis for independent training providers from this month – but…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News, Opinion

Helping providers recover from the impact of Coronavirus

The AELP Business Recovery Conference on 9-10 September 2020 is the flagship skills event of the year.  Presented online…

Shane Mann
JANE HICKIE

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