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27 April 2026

Lifting of restriction on providers running traineeships brought forward to February 1

The date when the restriction requiring providers to have grade one or two Ofsted ratings to run traineeships will be lifted has been moved forward from August to the start of next month. The announcement was made in the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) Update bulletin published on its website this afternoon. Currently, only outstanding and […]

Apprenticeship Delivery Board members announced

Members of the Apprenticeship Delivery Board (ADB) tasked with advising the government on how it can hit its target of 3m starts by 2020 have finally been unveiled, five months after its creation was first announced. The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) announced “the creation” of the ADB on July 22, but little had been said […]

Sector figures gather for Learning and Work Institute launch

Senior figures from across the FE world gathered for the official launch of the Learning and Work Institute (LWI) at London’s Canary Wharf. The new organisation was formed through the merger of the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (Niace) and the Centre for Economic & Social Inclusion (Inclusion). More than 100 guests, including Jeremy […]

Top Department for Education civil servant set to move on

The head civil servant at the Department for Education (DfE) Chris Wormald will move to the Department of Health later this year. Mr Wormald was appointed Permanent Secretary for the DfE in March 2012. But the government announced today that he will take up the same role at the Department of Health, replacing current boss […]

Movers and Shakers: Edition 160

Education technology stalwart Bob Harrison has been appointed to the board of trustees at Central YMCA — which includes awarding organisation, YMCA Awards. Mr Harrison, a regular FE Week contributor, is hoping to help steer YMCA Awards through the next phase of its “evolution” as it looks to digitise more services. His career experience has […]

Growth requests jeopardy for apprenticeships

Providers could be forced to slow down 16 to 18 apprenticeships delivery with their requests for growth going unanswered. The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) had been expected to let providers know the outcomes of their requests by January 8 following a shake-up of the process after similar delays last year. The shake-up, instigated by SFA […]

Hopes of merger answer to finances concern

A Cumbria sixth form college rapped over the knuckles for the condition of its finances by the Education Funding Agency (EFA) is hoping a merger will solve its funding problems. Barrow Sixth Form College was issued with a financial notice to improve this month having been graded as inadequate for financial health in September. The 900-learner […]

Learners up to marine challenge

Priestley College public services learners have been put through their paces by British Army commandos to see if they are up to the challenge of becoming a marine. The 13 students, who are all studying a public services BTec level three course, spent days completing physical challenges at the Commando Training Centre, the principal training […]