Apprenticeships, Politics, Skills reform

OBR forecast hikes apprenticeship levy intake to £4bn next year

Gap between levy receipts and public spending distribution becomes ‘gaping chasm’

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Ofqual, Ofsted

Ofqual investigation ‘made me feel like a criminal’

Apprenticeship assessment firm exits market after regulator’s audit left owner feeling suicidal

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Apprenticeships

‘Professional status’ scheme for apprenticeships launched 

Apprentices will be awarded post nominal designations through the scheme

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Ofsted

University grabs top Ofsted marks for ‘ambitious’ healthcare apprenticeships

Leaders praised for ‘sustainable and steady’ apprenticeship growth

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Ofsted

Ofsted scrutiny of ‘huge benefit’ to education sector, Spielman says in last annual report

Watchdog also flags ‘deeply concerning’ FE teacher training, continued poor apprenticeship provision, and bootcamps quality assurance fears

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
Sponsored post

What’s next in the post-16 reforms?

David Rowley, Product Manager in Technical Education at the awarding organisation NCFE, explains the latest developments from the post-16…

Advertorial
NCFE


Ofsted

Ofsted: College results improve again while ITPs drop to EIF low

The quality of education at general FE colleges has hit another record high, but the proportion of independent training…

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
News

Autumn statement: £50m pilot for ‘growth sector’ apprenticeships

Apprentice minimum wage rises, while talks over levy restrictions continue

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Ofsted, Training Providers

Business training firm jumps two grades to ‘outstanding’

Provider leaders say apprentice and client feedback ‘matters more than anything’

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Apprenticeships

Autumn statement: Apprentice minimum wage boosted to £6.40 an hour

The 21% increase will take effect from April 2024

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Long read

Too few workers leaves childcare ‘revolution’ in peril

The early years sector is facing debilitating staff shortages. Jessica Hill speaks to sector leaders about how reforms to…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill

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