News

Numbers falling, closing down – University technology College revolution fails to deliver

When the Tories launched their manifesto in April last year at a University Technical College, they promised to create…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Government silent as one in three traineeship providers fail to achieve good or better

As restrictions are lifted on delivering traineeships, with the government claiming excellent results mean they are no longer needed,…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Alix Robertson meets Jeremy Corbyn: ‘I am concerned about the quality of certain apprenticeships’

After giving a speech to a packed room at the University and College Union (UCU) conference ‘Education from Cradle…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

UCU #cradletograve conference – what the FE delegates had to say

At today’s University and College Union conference on ‘Education from Cradle to Grave’, FE Week spoke to some of…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

FE colleges ‘crucial’ and need to be protected from ‘cuts and attacks’, says Corbyn

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn  called for a greater focus on lifelong learning, such as the provision offered by many…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Exclusive: National Audit Office to examine provider topslicing scandal

The National Audit Office has said it will “look into” the issue of lead providers skimming outrageous management fees…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford


News

BIS accused of FE brain drain over Sheffield office axe plans

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has been accused of launching an FE “brain drain” through the…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Independent training providers to compete for funding after EU law change

Independent training providers (ITPs) will have to compete for Skills Funding Agency (SFA) contracts following changes to European Union…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

List of notices of concern and serious breach of contract published for first time

The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) has published a list of live notices of concern and serious breach of contract…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

DfE overspend results in 16-18 apprenticeship funding shortfall

Training providers have branded “ridiculous” the overdue news that many of their 16 to 18 apprenticeship and traineeship growth…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

College area review rerun

Five FE and sixth form colleges involved in a pilot review of post-16 provision in Norfolk and Suffolk last…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Cost of college bailouts as high as £100m

The Government is propping up colleges to the tune of £100m, the Association of Employment and Learning Providers’ (AELP)…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford

Must read

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
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