News

Unison FE members ‘overwhelmingly’ reject AoC pay freeze proposal

Further education sector members of Unison have “overwhelmingly” voted to reject an Association of Colleges (AoC) pay freeze recommendation…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Five ‘no confidence’ votes principal steps down

A Midland college principal hit with five votes of no confidence by staff has stepped down. Beverley Smith has…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Growth in 25+ apprenticeship starts as older learner numbers return to pre-FE loan levels

The proportion of 25+ apprenticeships has gone back up to levels last seen before the failed 24+ apprentice loans…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Apprenticeships quality to come under the House of Lords spotlight

Apprenticeships will this week come under the spotlight in a House of Lords debate focussing on the quality and…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Public Accounts Committee to look at FE ‘financial meltdown’

Concerns the FE sector is heading for “financial meltdown” are set to be investigated by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Two official apprenticeship vacancy websites still live — months after one was due to close

Two official apprenticeship vacancy websites are still running five months after one of them was said to be closing…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke


News

FE Commissioner ends work at ‘back on track’ Barnfield and Weymouth

Further Education Commissioner Dr David Collins will be stepping back from involvement at previously troubled Barnfield College and Weymouth…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

‘It’s about finding the right measures of quality’ — City & Guilds Industry Skills Board panel on how to make apprenticeships work

A panel of five representatives from industry and trade unions was drawn together by City & Guilds to discuss…

Jude Burke
Jude Burke
News

Trust launches 16 new tech-based projects to help boost digital learning in FE

The University for Industry (Ufi) Trust has officially launched 16 tech-based projects that it hopes will revolutionise digital learning…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Legal seal of approval granted for FE chartered status body

Chartered status for colleges and training providers in the FE sector has moved an important step closer after the…

Alix Robertson
Alix Robertson
News

Boles addresses apprenticeship standard quality concerns

Skills Minister Nick Boles (pictured above) addressed concerns about how the quality of apprenticeships will be policed as the…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Minister says Ofsted apprenticeships review likely to highlight ‘quite a lot of bad practice’

An upcoming Ofsted review of apprenticeships is likely to lay bare “quite a lot of bad practice,” Skills Minister…

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