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29 April 2026

Author: FE Week Reporter

Government departments ‘not together’ on skills

Further Education leaders have backed Skills Commission findings that government departments were failing to work together on skills policy. The commission’s interim findings warned of a lack of joined-up working between Skills Minister Nick Boles’s departments for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), and Education (DfE), plus Work and Pensions (DWP) and Her Majesty’s Revenue and […]

Student makes British judo team for the Special Olympics

TyneMet College student Sarah Scott has been selected to represent Great Britain at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles where she hopes to meet Barack Obama, writes Paul Offord. Athlete Sarah Scott has had a lot to contend with on her journey to the top level of special needs sport. The 21-year-old […]

NHS talk by Shadow Health Minister

Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham spoke to learners at Wigan-based Winstanley College who hope to become doctors, dentists or vets. The Labour MP for Leigh, in Greater Manchester, addressed around 100 A-level learners who also attend the college’s medics, dentists and vets programme which prepares them to apply for university courses related the professions. He […]

Helen’s grand designs on Indian adventure

An award-winning former Cleveland College of Art and Design student is working in India with one of the country’s leading interior design companies. Helen Williams jetted off to Mumbai last month to work with one of the country’s top interior design companies, G M & Syntex PVT, that supplies soft fabrics and furnishings to high-end […]

College first aid lessons in action

The manager of a Buxton-based motocross track put his recently-learned first aid skills to good use when a rider was left unconscious after falling from his bike. Barry Dring and four other employees from Track Form UK completed a level three first aid at work course in March with Learning Unlimited, a commercial training arm […]

Self-published writer delivers message of hope to learners

A crime novelist who was repeatedly rejected by publishers more than 30 years before finding success through selling his books online told students to never give up on their dreams. Keith Houghton first self-published his books through Kindle Direct Publishing three years ago and has now sold more than 310,000 copies worldwide, topped Amazon International […]

Farewell to ‘Flash’ after 24 years

A caretaker known for his sense of humour has retired after 24 years of service at Walford and North Shropshire College. Graham Lee, better known to staff and students as ‘Flash’, was given a present, leaving card and cake baked by hairdressing tutor Rachel Young at a leaving party organised by his colleagues. Graham had […]

Plain sailing for award-winning hovercraft firm

A Southampton-based hovercraft company has been recognised for its fast-expanding apprenticeship scheme. Griffon Hoverwork, which launched six years ago, was named regional medium employer of the year at the National Apprenticeship Service Awards South Central. The company is currently training 20 level two and three apprentices, in partnership with City College Southampton, in marine engineering, […]