News

Stability hopes with quals lists for 2017 tables

The publication of official lists of technical and vocational qualifications that will figure in 2017 performance tables has been…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

‘Dear Santa…’ the sector’s Christmas wish list

With a general election, tightening funding and the ongoing apprenticeship reforms, next year looks set to be a turbulent…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Cable concession on ‘two million’ apprentice claims

Government claims to have overseen the two millionth apprentice start have been met with caution after Business Secretary Vince…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

‘More complexity’ fears for AELP on careers plan

The Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) has expressed “real concerns” about the government’s creation of a new company…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

‘Outstanding’ indie hosts lavish Lords awards event

Above, pictured from left: Professional cricketer Tom Poynton, Castus apprentice Laura Martin, aged 23, cricketer Wayne Madsen, Baroness Kennedy,…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Payment link to new outcome measures rejected

Skills Minister Nick Boles (pictured) has announced a second consultation on outcome-based success measures having all but ruled out…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford


News

Falling numbers and competition blamed as Totton seeks merger

A Hampshire sixth form college principal has blamed falling learner numbers and local competition for financial problems forcing it…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

JCP traineeship ‘target’ after ‘concerns scheme extends benefit claims’

Job Centre Plus (JCP) staff have been set a “target” of 10,000 traineeship referrals amid concerns the youth unemployment…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Ofsted annual report presents mixed bag for FE and skills with growth in quality provision — but employer engagement remains an issue

Ofsted’s annual report today painted a mixed picture for FE and skills, highlighting a rise in the proportion of…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

‘Future-proof’ careers listed in new UKCES report

A new careers guidance report highlights today’s jobs that are set to stand the test of time and highlights…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Ofqual scraps QCF

Ofqual has confirmed it is to remove the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) rules. The decision was confirmed today…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Cable marks ‘two million’ apprentice starts

Business Secretary Vince Cable was at Abingdon and Witney College to mark the “two millionth” apprentice. He met 16-year-old…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford

Must read

Colleges, Long read

Resilient Ricketts: How Brooklands was saved from going broke

The story of a college’s fight for survival after a subcontracting scandal left it on the brink of insolvency

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Politics

Exit interview: Why Robert Halfon quit ‘the best job in government’

Halfon tells FE Week he ‘did all he could’ after leaving skills minister role

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Apprenticeships

National apprenticeship achievement rate rises to 54%

Slight increase leaves sector way off government target

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Shane Chowen
Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship growth pilot cash would reach just 15 ITPs

Providers need to start at least 15 apprentices on the chosen standards to be eligible for extra funding

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Apprenticeships

Treasury announces £3k top-up for 13 ‘growth sector’ apprenticeships

Training providers will have to deliver a minimum number of starts to access the cash

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Apprenticeships, Politics

DfE set to surrender £60m apprenticeship cash in 2023-24

Just 2% of total ring-fenced budget expected to be handed back to Treasury

Billy Camden
Billy Camden