Long read, Training Providers

Interview: Meet AELP’s new CEO, Ben Rowland

Ben Rowland has just finished his first week as chief executive of the Association for Employment and Learning Providers….

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Ofsted, SEND

‘Outstanding’ inspection leaves SEND college buzzing

Principal said investing in teaching and support staff was ‘paramount’ to their success

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Apprenticeships

Finalists for AAC Awards 2024 revealed

Winners will be announced at the 10th Annual Apprenticeship Conference gala dinner in February

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
News

Former apprentice awarded £52k after discrimination by ‘outstanding’ provider

Judge finds dismissal was also ‘significantly influenced’ by allegations made of sexual harassment

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
News

Craft skills charity returns £11.2m over sex trafficking claims

New donors sought to help save dying heritage skills

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
News

Inspector’s conflict of interest led to Ofsted abandoning judicial review

True reason why watchdog surrendered in legal case with manufacturing giant revealed

Billy Camden
Billy Camden


Ofqual

FAB to investigate regulators’ impact on health and wellbeing

Ofqual welcomes research as ‘mental health and wellbeing are very important issues’

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Colleges

FE Commissioner celebrates ‘great year’ for colleges in annual report

The report was unusually silent on major sector issues

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Office for Students, OfS, Politics

Independent review launched to check efficiency and governance of Office for Students

Comes months after Lords slam the higher education regulator for lack of independence

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
News

Advanced British Standard consultation: What you need to know

Ministers seek views on plans for new 16 to 19 qualification

Shane Chowen
John Dickens and Shane Chowen
News

SEND apprenticeship mentor pilot planned by DfE

Trial will test the ‘value of targeted and specific mentoring support for apprentices who have learning difficulties and disabilities’

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Ofqual, Skills reform

Unique student identifiers should be compulsory across awarding bodies, say researchers

Ofqual backs idea that would make the delivery of student results ‘safer’

Billy Camden
Billy Camden

Must read

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
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