News

IfA and ESFA in listening mode about apprenticeship concerns at FAB conference

The bosses of the Institute for Apprenticeships and the Education and Skills Funding Agency were in listening mode today,…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

CITB fixes ‘reverse subcontracting’ deal following college uproar

The Construction Industry Training Board has struck a new deal to work with colleges after concerns were raised that…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

£50k to join ESFA ‘top-quality’ apprenticeship register

Concerns have been raised about a loophole in the government’s apprenticeships register after a broker advertised how companies can…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

ESFA to pay 3aaa staff to help with apprentice transfer

The government has agreed to pay the wages of around 40 staff from apprenticeship giant Aspire Achieve Advance until…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Milton builds FAB bridges towards T-level reforms

The skills minister declared herself to be “pleased and excited” to be at the Federation of Awarding Bodies annual…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Boss of another struggling college steps down with immediate effect

The principal of another struggling college has resigned with immediate effect. Terry Jones (pictured) had been in charge of…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

DfE launches consultation on fully-funded digital skills training

The Department for Education has launched a consultation on the new national standards for digital skills, including plans for…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

Anne Milton finally meets the IfA’s apprentice panel – 18 months after it was formed

The skills minister met with the Institute for Apprenticeships’ panel of apprentices for the first time yesterday, a year…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

FE destinations and earnings data: The 5 key findings

The government has today released figures for outcomes of FE learners, showing stark gender pay gaps, differences in earnings…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

Campus sale near Grenfell tower ‘shameful’, says new college principal following investigation

A college that sold its main campus to make way for housing has apologised for the “shameful behaviours of…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Thousands march on parliament to protest for fair college funding

Thousands of learners, staff and leaders marched on parliament today in “the most amazing show by colleges ever” to…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Three schools removed from T-levels 2020 delivery but one college added

Three schools will no longer deliver the first wave of T-levels after one received a low grade from Ofsted…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross

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