News

Let the games begin: competition hots up for TeamUK place at WorldSkills Kazan

Nearly 80 of the UK’s most skilled young people are battling it out in a five-day competition this week…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Apprenticeship quango boss rejects NAO concern that ‘most valued’ standards are not prioritised

National Audit Office criticism of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education standards approvals process has been rejected by…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

NAO second report into levy reforms a ‘shame’, says apprenticeships minister

Today’s National Audit Office report into apprenticeships is a “shame” because it only reflects on the past and doesn’t…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

NAO warns apprenticeship budget set to run out after DfE got its forecast wrong

There is “clear risk” that the apprenticeship programme is not financially sustainable after the average cost of training an…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

NAO apprenticeships progress report: The 7 key findings

The National Audit Office has today published its report into whether the government’s apprenticeships programme is providing value for…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Mental health and careers support cuts exposed

Nearly half of all colleges and schools with sixth forms have had to reduce student mental health and careers…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

College fighting for survival after merger plans collapse at eleventh hour

A college surviving on government bailouts faces an uncertain future after being dumped at the eleventh hour by its…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Finalists for AAC Apprenticeship Awards 2019 celebrated in Parliament

The national finalists of the AAC Apprenticeship Awards 2019 were recognised and celebrated at a special reception at the…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Government rules out giving employers more time to spend their apprenticeship levy funds

The Department for Education has today ruled out demands for employers to be given more time to spend their…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofsted Watch: Adult and community learning providers make great gains

Adult and community learning providers have come out the best from this week’s Ofsted reports as two improved to…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

Up to 50 jobs at risk at college group following £30m merger bailout

Up to 50 jobs are on the line at a college group which last year received a £30 million…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon
News

ESFA to explore ‘flexibilities’ for T-level industry placement

Government officials have revealed they are actively looking at ways to make the 315-hour minimum industry placement in T-levels…

Fraser Whieldon
Fraser Whieldon

Must read

Long read, Prison education

The prison that’s offering hope for a new life upon release

‘We’re saving people’s lives as well as turning them around’

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
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