News

Colleges in uproar as CITB tries to protect management fees with ‘reverse subcontracting’ deal

The Construction Industry Training Board is trying to force colleges to enter “reverse subcontracting” arrangements where it charges “unfair”…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

On the eve of the controversial T-level tender – when, how and why?

On the eve of the launch of the government’s first ever tender for a single awarding organisation for a…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Ofsted watch: Loans-funded provider branded ‘inadequate’

A loans-funded independent provider has received the lowest possible rating in its first ever inspection this week. And two…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Employers join forces to overturn ‘highly-damaging’ funding rate cuts for popular management apprenticeships

The employer group behind three popular management apprenticeship standards has the backing of more than 150 employers – including…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Ofqual ‘closely monitoring’ investigation by awarding organisation into ‘copy and paste’ assessments exposed by Ofsted

Ofqual is “closely monitoring” an investigation being carried out by Training Qualifications UK into allegations of ‘copy and paste’…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Skills minister on hunt for apprentice but excludes applicants with GCSE grade 4 (a pass)

Anne Milton has posted a job advert looking for an apprentice to work in her parliamentary office which excludes…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

IfA funding band review: Healthcare standard set for 67 per cent funding increase

A healthcare apprenticeship standard is set to have its funding band increased by a massive 67 per cent following…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

‘I wouldn’t accept college place even if I was offered it’, says dwarf learner at centre of rejection row

An 18-year-old learner with dwarfism at the centre of a row over whether a college discriminated against him has…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Students ‘distraught’ after college blames T-level preparation for last minute decision to dump all A-level courses

Forty students who were supposed to be inducted onto their A-levels today have been left “distraught” after Northampton College…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

AoC funding plea rejected by letter ending with minister scribbling a promise to continue ‘lobbying’

The skills minister offered a handwritten promise to the Association of Colleges that her “lobbying for FE continues” when…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

DfE in search of college insolvency consultants with plans to pay them up to £500,000 per month

The government is expecting to spend up to £7.5 million over a 15 month period to cover the cost…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

ESFA investigation found college taking 25% subcontracting topslice did not know where course for 16-19s took place for first 6 months

A college in west Anglia has been banned from entering into new subcontracting arrangements after a government investigation found…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden

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