News

Could Matthew Hancock be facing his biggest test yet with IT system role in large employers’ apprenticeship levy?

This is the man with the daunting task of implementing a new cross-government IT system for large employers to…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Large employers’ apprenticeship levy cash should go into one pot to benefit firms of all sizes, AELP tells government

Cash raised by the proposed new large employers’ apprenticeship levy should be combined with government funding in a central…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Skills Minister Nick Boles reveals government considering signing apprentices up to spread the careers guidance word

Apprentices could be asked to sign contracts upon enrolment requiring them to deliver careers advice, Skills Minister Nick Boles…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Government apprenticeship reform adviser Doug Richard in court over child sex charges

Former government adviser on apprenticeships Doug Richard appeared in court today to face child sex charges. Richard wore a…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Labour BIS and DfE shadows signal joined-up opposition with funding cuts pledge

A more joined-up approach to opposition FE policy was signalled at the Labour Party conference as Angela Eagle and…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Sector gives BIS committee its views on the Productivity Plan

The task of the first official inquiry of the House of Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee is…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford


News

‘Consider all facts’ on new performance data measure before launching intervention action, urges AELP boss

Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) chief executive Stewart Segal urged the government to ensure that “all the…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Colleges with repeated deficits to speed up merger plans after FE Commissioner visit

Two Midland colleges that are already in a federation have sped up plans to merge on the advice of…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Return on investment analysis now ‘priority’, says Gazelle

Gazelle colleges have been told that proving their £15k membership fee is money well spent is now a “priority”…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

‘Soviet-style’ apprenticeship quality question

The government’s record on improving the quality of the apprenticeships programme has come in for questioning. Falling success rates,…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Another centre to address lack of FE research as UCL’s Institute of Education looks at post-14 education and work

A third FE research centre has launched just a year after Professor Lady Alison Wolf decried how the sector…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Principals have say their on the latest area reviews

A further three post-16 education area reviews were announced late last month by the government, taking the number of…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford

Must read

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
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