News

IfA launches first content review of apprenticeship standards

The Institute for Apprenticeships has begun its first statutory review of apprenticeship standards since it began operating more than…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Damning Ofsted visit finds huge employer provider forced staff onto apprenticeships

A large employer provider in the security sector has stopped recruiting new apprentices after a damning Ofsted early monitoring…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Ofsted DOES soften 3 year full inspection rule – after sector backlash

Poorly performing new apprenticeship providers will now only be left in no new business limbo for up to a…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Ofsted criticises ‘new’ apprenticeship provider for ‘insufficient’ off-the-job training

The future of apprenticeship provision at a new provider is in doubt after its Ofsted early monitoring visit warned…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

Ofsted to receive cash to visit all new apprenticeship providers

Ofsted will be carrying out early monitoring visits to all new apprenticeship providers, after the Department for Education agreed…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

3aaa forced to stop recruiting new apprentices following ESFA investigation

Apprenticeship heavyweight Aspire Achieve Advance has been blocked by the government from taking on any new apprentices, FE Week…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

Revealed: The 6 apprenticeship providers banned from taking new recruits

Six new apprenticeship providers have been barred from taking on new apprentices after early monitoring visits found them to…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

West Notts College handed DfE warning after requesting £2.1m in exceptional financial support

A cash-strapped college has received a financial health notice to improve from the government after requesting exceptional financial support…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

3aaa co-founders resign following ESFA investigation

The co-founders of apprenticeship giant Aspire Achieve Advance have resigned in the midst of a government investigation into the…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Education minister heads to Germany in search of T-level solutions

The education secretary is touring Germany and Holland this week to learn more about their famous vocational education systems…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

IFS: FE the ‘biggest loser’ in cuts to government funding

Further education has been the victim of the sharpest cuts in the education sector over the last 25 years,…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross
News

‘He will be sorely missed’: Warm tributes paid to AELP founder Frank McMahon

One of the original founders of the Association of Employment and Learning Providers has died after a short illness. Frank McMahon was…

Pippa Allen-Kinross
Pippa Allen-Kinross

Must read

Colleges, Long read

Colleges on the frontline of a divided nation

As social media algorithms fuel intolerance and binary thinking, college staff increasingly find themselves dealing with the fallout. Jessica…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
Colleges, Long read

Alun Francis, chair of the Social Mobility Commission

Deprived areas need vision – not victimhood – to level up, and Social Mobility Commission chair Alun Francis is…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
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