News

Strike action planned for November 10 after union ballots members on AoC pay freeze proposal

  The University and College Union (UCU) has announced planned strike action on November 10 after balloting members over…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Natspec chief executive standing down after eight years

Chief executive of the Association of Specialist Colleges (Natspec) Alison Boulton will be standing down in January, FE Week…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Asbestos dust, dangerous workshop lathes and repetitive strain injury among issues prompting more than 20 Health and Safety Executive notices

More than 20 Health and Safety Executive (HSE) notices have been served to FE colleges in the last five…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

FE Commissioner reveals early post-16 area review findings

Further Education Commissioner Dr David Collins (pictured) has revealed his early findings from the first wave of post-16 area…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Sajid Javid rules out degree apprenticeships target as too ‘complex’

Business Secretary Sajid Javid has ruled out a degree apprenticeships target — warning it would be “too complex” and…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Better careers advice needed to boost young apprenticeship numbers

Better advice and guidance for young people is needed with figures suggesting 16 to 24-year-olds were making up a…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke


News

New subcontracting audits requirement questioned by Association of Colleges

A new Skills Funding Agency (SFA) requirement for lead contractors to pay for an external audit of their subcontracting…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Policy Exchange report says large slice of university reserves cash should go to FE

University reserves of around £12bn could play an important role in rebalancing the funding deficit between higher education and…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Ofsted to criticise apprenticeships for ‘accrediting existing low-level skills, like making coffee and cleaning floors’

A hotly anticipated Ofsted report will warn of a slump in the quality of apprenticeships that often fail to…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Dozens of National Apprenticeship Awards winners announced in ceremonies across England

[slideshow_deploy id=’40567′] Dozens of high achieving apprentices and employers have been recognised at National Apprenticeship Awards ceremonies across England….

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Public consultations to be held for all new Trailblazer assessment plans

All trailblazer assessment plans are going to be put out to public consultation from the end of this month,…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Apprenticeship levy plans may be better as ‘nuclear’ deterrent, says top Oxford University academic

A senior academic has said apprenticeship levy plans were like a “nuclear weapon — it may be worth threatening…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter

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