News

Apprenticeship quality tackled

A shake-up of apprenticeships will see all programmes for 16 to 18 year-olds take place for at least a…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Skills Funding Agency to become an Executive Agency

The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) will become an Executive Agency following a review of its status. Skills minister John Hayes,…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

All 16-18 apprenticeships to last at least one year

All apprenticeships for 16 to 18 year-olds must last at least a year, Skills Minister John Hayes MP will…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Jobs saved as National Extension College sold

An arm of the crisis hit Learning and Skills Network (LSN) has been sold. Ian Oakley-Smith, David Hurst and…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

NAO report critical of BIS and SFA bureaucracy reform

Government efforts to reduce bureaucracy in further education (FE) lack clarity and the complete picture, according to a report…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Chris Shapcott (NAO) asks for “more detailed and clearer picture” of reforms

We spoke to Chris Shapcott, National Audit Office director of regulatory reform, about the NAO report titled ‘Reducing bureaucracy…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter


News

Dozen new ‘studio schools’ announced

A dozen new vocationally-based schools, with links to major employers such as Sony and Glaxo, have been revealed by the…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Employers need greater incentives to invest in apprenticeships, say UKCES

A single skills market is needed to make employers invest more in apprenticeships and training, according to a report…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

UCU in financial turmoil

Urgent action is needed to prevent the University and College Union (UCU) being plunged into debt, a letter from…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

As disputes rise so do the costs

As icy draughts and the impact of budget cuts blow through further education, tensions among staff are rising. Small…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Cash incentive places for smaller businesses doubled

Fresh details have been revealed on the awarding of 40,000 cash incentives to smaller businesses to take on apprentices….

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
News

Senior leaders concerned about college finances

A survey has revealed a high proportion of senior leaders are concerned about the college finances. Conducted by Capita’s…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter

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