FE Week Reporter | FE Week

Edition 121: Jo Watson, Fiona Quick, Andy Davidson, Liz Redwood, Darran George, Barbara Titmuss and Richard Deane

Half a dozen new directors have been appointed at Weston College, in Somerset. The new appointments include Andy Davidson, as executive director for strategic intervention; Liz Redwood, as enterprise and commercial development director for data compliance, funding; and, Fiona Quick, as external partnership director. Jo Watson assumes the role of new business opportunities executive director; […]

BIS plan to cut £300m FE and skills red tape shaves just 2 pc off costs for providers, audit office finds

A government plan to reduce £300m of FE and skill bureaucracy has come under fire from Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chair Margaret Hodge after a National Audit Office probe found it had cut less than 2 per cent of costs for providers. In a damning report out today, the NAO said the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ […]

Employers shamed for underpaying workers — including apprentices

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has named and shamed 25 employers for failing to pay the minimum wage — and more than one is under fire over apprentice pay. A BIS spokesperson confirmed more than one of the companies had paid learners less than the £2.73 apprentice minimum wage. She refused to […]

Looking back 100 years to when apprentices could be jailed for ‘idleness’

New research by a Lincoln university professor of history, commissioned by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA), shows how apprenticeships have changed since the outbreak of the First World War, writes Paul Offord. Today’s apprentices might expect to be hauled before their employer or tutor if they are not pulling their weight — but not […]

Zoo license granted to college

Bicton College has been granted a zoo licence allowing it to show its collection of exotic animals to the public. The Devon-based college opened an animal husbandry school in March 2014 for animal care, husbandry and conservation courses, which was paid for with a £2,880,000 grant from the Skills Funding Agency. It contains a number […]

Chancellor hands employers National Insurance break for apprentices aged 24 and below and promises £20m for careers advice

Chancellor George Osborne today announced that employers will no longer have to pay national insurance contributions (NIC) on apprentices aged 24 and under. In the autumn statement, he announced the abolition in April 2016 of what he described as the “job tax” on employers of apprentices, claiming it would affect bosses of around 500,000 learners. But apprentices […]

Learners enter ‘Dragons’ Den’

Level three business students from South Cheshire College pitched their business ideas to a Dragons’ Den-style panel of business leaders. A total of 75 learners presented proposals to representatives from organisations including marketing agency Momentum Factor UK and accountancy firm The Alextra Group. Ideas included a relaxation zone in a shopping centre, featuring computer games, […]

Giant mural commemorates Falklands War

A giant mural telling the story of the Falklands War was created by A-level art and design students at the HMS Excellent Royal Navy base in Portsmouth. Base warrant officer Simon Hayman had the idea for the 12ft by 12ft mural while attending a recent commemoration dinner for the conflict between Britain and Argentina in 1982. […]

Green award for ‘E-Collegey’ scheme

Uxbridge College took the Best Newcomer title in the national Green Gown Awards which recognise sustainability initiatives by education institutions. The college was recognised for its E-Collegey initiative launched two years ago to boost staff and student interest in green issues. Activities have included car-sharing and cycle purchase and maintenance schemes to limit the number […]