News

New report calls for more ‘earning and learning’ in bid to cut youth unemployment

A report out today from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills has called for more ‘earning and learning’…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

New EFA guidance for providers confirms English and maths funding requirement from 2014/15

The Education Funding Agency (EFA) has today published guidance that confirms new funding requirements for English and maths. Its post-16…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

‘Catch-up’ criticism over tech bacc

Labour has accused the Conservatives of playing “catch-up” on tech baccs after just five colleges were revealed to be…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Loans plan could see full costs hit 19 to 23s

The government is considering extending the FE loans system to cover level two qualifications and more learners as it…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Second college in fortnight bouncing back from grading disappointment

A second major English college in less than a fortnight has recorded an improved Ofsted grade after previously slumping…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Counselling pensioner Robert a winning learner

A 79-year-old who counsels people with mental health issues and a 22-year-old who has started a charity to promote…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter


News

Parties respond to adult learner manifesto recommendations

Leading political figures responded on behalf of their parties to calls from the National Institute of Continuing Education (Niace)…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Colleges under fire over Gazelle’s £3.5m

A month-long FE Week investigation into multi-million pound funding of Gazelle by UK colleges has resulted in criticism that…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Skills Funding Agency job cuts ‘ideological’

A programme of job cuts at the Skills Funding Agency has been attacked as “ideological” by MPs who warned…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Pay cut fears for apprentices

Fears have emerged that government proposals to streamline “difficult” minimum wage rates for apprentices could lead to lower pay….

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Progression payment for traineeships

The government has launched a long-awaited consultation on moving to a new traineeship funding system in which providers are…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Full-time learner concerns lead to EFA review on planned hours

Fears that a new planned hours system of funding 16 to 19 study programmes was being misused have prompted…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford

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