News

Advice ‘scam’ warnings lead to firm closure

A business that tried to charge young people £25 each to register for apprenticeships has apparently closed following pressure…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Careers advice prompt for Number 10

Prime Minister David Cameron has been ordered to “get a move on” to improve the careers advice given to…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Access cash ‘must’ go to traineeships

The demise of access to apprenticeship (AtA) has led to a call for colleges to be allowed to use…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Think-tank calls for youth guarantees and levies

Youth guarantees and youth levies figure among new proposals from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) aimed at…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Ofsted clash on work experience

Further education leaders clashed with Ofsted over whether students needed work experience outside of their colleges. The exchange took…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Hancock to divert cash to employers

Apprenticeships are to be funded through employers, Skills Minister Matthew Hancock announced at the Association of Colleges (AoC) conference…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford


News

College staff plan December strike over pay

Further education colleges in England are set to be hit by staff strikes over pay early next month. Members…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Up to 50,000 teenagers studying dead-end courses, claims think-tank

Tens of thousands of 16 to 18-year-olds are taking dead-end courses that will end with no job and will…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

On location at the Skills Show ­­– FE Week team out and about

From Birmingham in 2013 to Brazil in 2015 Around 700 talented young people competed to be crowned the best…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Stockport goes from grade one to four

A 9,000-learner college in Greater Manchester has plummeted from an outstanding Ofsted rating to inadequate. Stockport College achieved the…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

‘Good quality’ college projects rejected by SFA

The Skills Funding Agency was forced to reject several “good quality” college projects to avoid an overspend in its…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Apprenticeship award winners

Top apprentices were celebrated during the 10th annual National Apprenticeship Awards at the Skills Show last Thursday. Apprentices from…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter

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