News

Fresh concerns over failing UTC model as one in 10 now shut

More than 10 per cent of university technical colleges are now expected to close, just six years since they…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Conservatives talk big on skills agenda ahead of Budget

Ministers were in fine voice on skills at the Conservative Party conference this week, but the FE sector must now wait…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Ministerial bypass sparks ‘woeful’ area review row

The UCU has blasted the “woeful” lack of transparency in the area review process, after it emerged that key…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Greening tells conference Skills Plan will be ‘big focus’

A firm commitment to “transform” technical education was made by education secretary Justine Greening, in a Conservative Party Conference…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Strike will hit Hull College next Thursday

A strike by Hull College staff has been set for next Thursday (October 13), after staff voted to walk-out…

Paul Offord
Paul Offord
News

Apprentices ‘discouraged’ by schools demand better careers advice

Apprentices should be sent into classrooms to tell school pupils about vocational career and training options, according to two…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker


News

Halfon plays down apprenticeship levy ‘gaming’ fears

The apprenticeships minister Robert Halfon has sought to play down fears in the business community that some companies will “game”…

Freddie Whittaker
Freddie Whittaker
News

Computer skills to be fully funded through existing Adult Education Budget

Plans have been unveiled to fully fund IT courses for adults, putting ‘digital literacy’ on a similar footing to…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Council wants small-school sixth forms to merge or close

Brighton and Hove council wants to merge or close its small-school sixth forms, it has announced following a review…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Ofsted considering climbdown over logo use

Ofsted could be heading for an embarrassing U-turn over its surprise decision to threaten providers with legal action over…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Financial notice to improve for Heathrow Aviation Engineering University Technical College

A financial notice to improve has been issued to The Heathrow Aviation Engineering University Technical College by the Education…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Ofsted picks Damar to train its apprentices

Ofsted is using just one training provider for its new cohort of 31 apprentices, FE Week can reveal. The…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke

Must read

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
Adult education

Fury as DfE cuts adult education budgets

Combined authorities told to expect reductions in ‘already deeply diminished’ adult skills funding

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen