News

Did failed Greater Manchester UTC get ‘free pass’ despite warnings?

The viability of the failed Greater Manchester university technical college was questioned by government officials even before it opened,…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

NHS apprenticeship starts in the north west fell by nearly half last year, new figures reveal

The north west was the region where NHS apprenticeships saw their biggest fall last year, as they dramatically dropped…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Public sector apprenticeships on the rise, new figures suggest

New figures published today suggest that public sector apprenticeships are on the rise, after the government introduced a recruitment…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Union warns against another ‘shoddy’ pay deal on eve of college pay talks

The University and College Union has written to Anne Milton before key pay talks, to warn it will not…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Monthly update: apprenticeship starts down 39 per cent in April

Apprenticeship starts for April are down 39 per cent, compared with the same period in 2016. There have been…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

‘Preferred’ Social Mobility Commission chair wants ‘complete overhaul’ of FE

The government’s preferred candidate to chair the Social Mobility Commission has told MPs that the FE sector needs a…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord


News

Names of over 60 colleges involved in new careers hubs revealed

The names of more than 60 FE colleges set to play key roles in new hubs, which the education…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Ofqual launch 52 question T-level consultation – but four week deadline a ‘shame’

Ofqual has today launched a consultation about how it will regulate T-levels – but has only given the sector…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Chair of college embroiled in bitter merger row resigns

The embattled chair of a London college that was at the centre of a bitter row with staff and…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Learndirect criticised by Ofsted for ‘confusion’ over apprentices’ transfer

Leaders at Learndirect have been criticised by Ofsted for causing “confusion and uncertainty” over the transfer of their apprentices…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Careers and Enterprise Company agrees to publish board minutes

The Careers and Enterprise Company has responded to savage criticism from MPs over secrecy by finally agreeing to publish its…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

IfA yet to review duplicate and low-skill standards

The Institute for Apprenticeships has yet to carry out any formal review of duplicate, narrow or low-skill standards –…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke

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