Politics

Conservatives manifesto 2024: The FE pledges

Party confirms plans for 100k more apprenticeships, the new ABS, and a national service at the expense of the…

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Politics

Lib Dems manifesto 2024: The FE pledges

Party plans to review FE funding including college VAT exemption, a widened apprenticeship levy and ‘lifelong skills grants’ of…

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
Long read, SEND

The high cost pressures of safety valve deals

Cash-strapped local authorities are under pressure through safety valve deals to place high-needs young people in placements that may…

Jessica Hill
Jessica Hill
Colleges

Students volunteer to support their local communities

Colleges took part in loneliness and local sports initiatives as part of volunteers’ week

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Politics

Both parties pledge targeted training to cut immigration

Labour is claiming it will hold companies to account on training through ‘proper’ workforce plans

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
Politics

Sunak’s national service plan puts £2.6bn employment training fund at risk

The Conservatives have pledged to scrap the fund from 2028 and Labour hasn’t committed to funding it beyond 2025

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor


Adult education, Devolution

Combined authority ‘rewinds’ adult education budget tender after complaints

West Yorkshire Combined Authority said it had faced ‘substantial challenges’ to its contract awarding decisions

Josh Mellor
Josh Mellor
Colleges

Squeezed margins could put more colleges on government notice  

AoC’s finance guru explains why cash is up but proportion of healthy EBITDAs is down

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
WorldSkills, WorldSkills UK

New WorldSkills competition to tackle film and TV shortages

WorldSkills UK pledges to launch make up and special effects competition by 2025

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Apprenticeships

Blueprint for a phased ‘flex and match’ skills levy unveiled

L&W plan would allow gradual levy flex while protecting the apprenticeship budget in real terms

Billy Camden
Billy Camden
Colleges, Higher education

College drops computing degrees over ‘credibility’ concerns

Bradford College becomes first FE college to undergo Office for Students quality investigation

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
Colleges

Sandwell College announces new principal after eight-month delay

This is latest announcement held up by DfE and Treasury approval of principal salaries

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel

Must read

Colleges, Long read

Legrave’s last orders: build cash, challenge leaders and don’t ignore teaching

In her final interview, the outgoing FE Commissioner warns colleges not to mistake funding rises for financial safety

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
16-19

Curriculum review: ‘Strengthen’ resit accountability and reduce T Level assessment burden

Review recommends already-announced V Levels, level 2 pathways and new pre-GCSE English and maths quals

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel
News

Case dismissed: Marples loses High Court claim against DfE

A judge has dismissed a multi-million-pound claim brought by former training boss Peter Marples and his family against the…

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Skills reform

New law to bar ‘unsuitable’ FE leaders among skills white paper reforms

The government’s post-16 strategy has finally been unveiled

Billy Camden
Billy Camden and Shane Chowen
Qualifications

Revealed: V Levels incoming as axe looms for BTECs

New qualifications set to launch as ‘third route’ between A-levels and T Levels

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Politics, Skills reform

DWP will take over apprenticeships, minister confirms

Shifting adult skills and apprenticeships policy will give “bigger emphasis on skills”, Jacqui Smith claims

Anviksha Patel
Anviksha Patel