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
News

Ofsted watch: Bad week for providers – especially UTCs

It was a poor week for providers who received full inspections, as one failed to improve its grade three…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Great Debate on apprenticeships: time for stability, or major change?

The motion: This house believes the fall in apprenticeship starts since last May and the unspent levy proves urgent…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Three ‘inadequate’ UTCs in a week as Lord Baker blames Ofsted

Ofsted has dealt a series of devastating blows to university technical colleges this week, with three of the 14-to-19…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke


News

3aaa inspection ‘incomplete’ as whistleblowing sparks review

An investigation is being carried out by government officials into apprenticeship giant Aspire Achieve Advance, after claims made by a…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Ex-minister calls subcontracting fees ‘scandalous’, but DfE has ‘no concerns’

The government has for the first time concluded they have “no concerns” about subcontracting fees, despite more than 10…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

‘Incredible’ that DfE unsure which of its apprentices were already civil servants

The Department for Education has drawn criticism for not knowing whether more than a third of its apprentices were…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

BTEC award winners 2018 unveiled

The 24 winners of the 2018 BTEC awards have been recognised at a glitzy ceremony in London. Central Hall…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

National Audit Office reviewing apprenticeship reforms progress

A follow-up review of apprenticeships has been launched by the National Audit Office, which will focus on whether the…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

AEB devolution gets step closer as first pre-tender exercise launched

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority has become the first devolved area to launch a pre-procurement exercise for the adult…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden

Must read

Skills reform

New law to bar ‘unsuitable’ FE leaders among skills white paper reforms

The government’s post-16 strategy has finally been unveiled

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Shane Chowen
Qualifications

Revealed: V Levels incoming as axe looms for BTECs

New qualifications set to launch as ‘third route’ between A-levels and T Levels

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Politics, Skills reform

DWP will take over apprenticeships, minister confirms

Shifting adult skills and apprenticeships policy will give “bigger emphasis on skills”, Jacqui Smith claims

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
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