News

Only 15 per cent of levy-funded apprentices aged 16 to 18

Just 15 per cent of levy-funded apprentices to date are aged 16 to 18, according to experimental government statistics…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Trial begins: Former Welsh footballer and three others accused of £5 million FE fraud

A former Wales international footballer and three other men conspired to scam colleges and the government out of around…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Commissioner report exposes financial turmoil at London SFC

A sixth-form college is in grave danger of running out of cash in the next 12 months, after a…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Five new UTCs open doors to students

Five new university technical colleges have opened their doors this month, including one that was so popular it had…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Two men plead guilty following Serious Fraud Office investigation into Luis Michael Training

Two men have pleaded guilty following a Serious Fraud Office investigation into now-defunct provider Luis Michael Training. Christopher Martin,…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Good-rated Somerset provider loses 97% of its adult education budget

A large adult community learning provider in Somerset has found itself at the sharp end of the adult education…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


News

Did the government advise Learndirect to withdraw their AEB tender?

The Learndirect saga has taken a fresh twist today, after a government spokesperson admitted that the nation’s largest FE…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Cable speaks on new post-16 skills review after ‘dual mandate’ dumped

Vince Cable has accused the Conservatives of sweeping his “dual mandate” consultation for the FE sector under the carpet…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Learndirect special treatment: ESFA changes policy and awards £45m tender

The nation’s largest FE provider has been handed around £45 million from next years’ adult education budget even though…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

DfE keeps apprenticeship funding model report secret

The government is refusing to release a crucial report that would show whether or not the forecasting tool it…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Learndirect: Parliamentary questions pile pressure on ministers for answers

Labour’s shadow skills minister has demanded official answers on whether Learndirect is getting special treatment from the government after…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Consultation launched on mega-London college merger amid Grenfell opposition

A public consultation has been launched on merger plans between two London Colleges, amid mounting opposition from Grenfell Tower…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord

Must read

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
Apprenticeships

Entrepreneur chased for millions after apprenticeship collapse

ESFA uncovers ‘fake’ taxi apprentices as liquidator reveals intercompany payments days after firm decided to shut

Billy Camden
Billy Camden