News

Think-tank calls for the return of polytechnics

The Association of Colleges has questioned the conclusions of a report calling on the government to bring back polytechnics,…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

AELP now and in the future

Traineeships were firmly among the top agenda issues for the Association of Employment and Learning Providers during opening speeches…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

AELP launches manifesto

The Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) has produced a ten-point action plan aimed at “driving an economic…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Housing deputy to take NCG reins

The deputy chief executive of a housing charity is getting the top job at NCG (formerly Newcastle College Group)….

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Late funding rates ‘unacceptable’

Skills Funding Agency announces transition factors hitting provider funding rates by 25 per cent or more. Colleges and training…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Ofsted critical of foundation learning

An Ofsted investigation into foundation learning has pointed towards a host of problems with the scheme just weeks before…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford


News

Exams watchdog launches fee probe

Ofqual is investigating exam spending by colleges after its annual report found payments by schools had more than doubled…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Older apprentices taking 16 to 18-year-old places

The 16 to 18 apprenticeships budget has been cut by £166m as would-be apprentices were squeezed out of places…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Grade threes get traineeship go ahead

Further education leaders have called for a rethink on traineeships after new rules revealed lower-rated providers would be able…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Report urges careers guidance ‘culture change’

Traineeships and the new 16 to 19 study programmes should include impartial job advice as part of a “much-needed…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Apprenticeship applications up 32 per cent

Booming application numbers plus an increasing list of vacancies show apprenticeships are growing as a career alternative to university,…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

FE loans in first month ‘low’

The head of the Association of Colleges has expressed concern over “low levels” of applications for 24+ advanced learning…

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