News

New loans being used for leisure

The government’s £232m pot of cash for FE loans could be going on courses not aimed at getting people…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Labour sticks with forced apprentice plan

Business leaders have attacked Labour leader Ed Miliband’s plans to make firms train a “local” apprentice for every foreign…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Minister boosts traineeships with £20m – but only for 19 to 23s

An extra £20m funding will be available for over 19 traineeships, but there is no new cash for 16…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Hundreds ‘fail’ to comply with wage rule

High street fast food business Subway was among hundreds of employers on the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) website advertising…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Foundation rejects non-competitive bids

The Education and Training Foundation is binning contract bids it received under its old non-competitive tendering process. Foundation interim…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Nine make it through in sale of troubled K College

Nine organisations have been asked to develop their bids to take over provision at the troubled K College, FE…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford


News

Bravo principal in 120 breathtaking kickboxing bouts for charity

The principal of Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT) today took part in 120 two minute kickboxing fights to raise…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Miliband sent ‘back to drawing board’

Labour leader Ed Miliband has been told to “go back to the drawing board” with his plans to create…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

24+ loan applications up 46 per cent a-month

Nearly 16,000 people applied for the 24+ Advanced Learning Loan in August, up 46 per cent on the number…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
News

Charge for 16 to 18 training not ruled out

Skills Minister Matthew Hancock (pictured, right) has refused to rule out the possibility that employers may have to pay…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Mixed welcome for older apprenticeships ‘policy shift’

An apparent shift in FE funding policy that could see a rise in the number of 24+ apprentices has…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

The wait for an outstanding indy goes on

After 131 Ofsted visits, independent learning providers (ILPs) are still waiting for their first outstanding verdict under the education…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford

Must read

Colleges, Long read

Alun Francis, chair of the Social Mobility Commission

Deprived areas need vision – not victimhood – to level up, and Social Mobility Commission chair Alun Francis is…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
Long read, Prison education

The prison that’s offering hope for a new life upon release

‘We’re saving people’s lives as well as turning them around’

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
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