News

Joy and heartbreak: contrasting emotions as funding band changes are announced

Funding bands for ten of the 30 apprenticeship standards which have been under review by the Institute for Apprenticeships…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Ofsted watch: Two providers straight in with ‘good’ in uneventful week for FE

One specialist college and a private provider received a grade two rating in their first ever Ofsted inspections, in…

Jessica Fino
Jessica Fino
News

Final Team UK line-up for WorldSkills 2019 revealed

With the last seven competitors selected, Team UK is now complete and ready to compete in this year’s WorldSkills…

Jessica Fino
Jessica Fino
News

Open University extends free functional skills offer to level 2

A scheme by The Open University to provide free online functional skills courses has been extended to level 2….

Jessica Fino
Jessica Fino
News

Awarding bodies may call for new independent funding approval process citing ‘lack of transparency’

Awarding organisations are considering calling on the government to create an independent process for qualification funding approvals in a…

Jessica Fino
Jessica Fino
News

Scania hits out at planned cut to heavy vehicle apprenticeship funding band

A leading manufacturer of heavy trucks and buses has warned that cutting the funding band by £3,000 for an…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon


News

Moulton College’s future in doubt after a second grade four

The future of a small land-based college attempting to avoid a merger is again in question after a second…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

IfA to trial ‘gender-neutral’ language in bid to boost female STEM applicants

The Institute for Apprenticeships is to trial “gender-neutral” language in a bid to boost the number of female STEM…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

College board criticised for boosting senior staff pay and conditions during ‘merger explorations’

A college has come under heavy criticism for significantly enhancing the employment conditions of its senior staff ahead of…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

You’re hired! Apprentice for Cabinet minister given permanent position

Health secretary and former skills minister Matt Hancock has awarded a permanent role in his office to his apprentice….

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

UCU deal reached with university-backed college to increase pay but reduce teaching time

Strike action at cash-strapped Lambeth College has been cancelled after union members managed to negotiate a 3 per cent…

Jessica Fino
Jessica Fino
News

IfA launches recruitment drive for more route panel members

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education is looking for around 25 new experts to join its 15 sector-based…

Jessica Fino
Jessica Fino

Must read

Apprenticeships, Politics

Phillipson to exempt young people from level 7 apprenticeships funding axe

Education secretary makes ‘important concession’ amid backlash from other government departments

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Colleges, FE Commissioner

Weston chair felt powerless over £2.5m payments to former principal

Ex-Weston college chair gives tell-all interview following FE Commissioner probe

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
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