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15 April 2026

Author: Alix Robertson

FE principals neglected again as New Year’s honours list praises only a handful

FE college principals have again fared poorly in the Queen’s honours list, with only three being recognised for their contributions in a “disappointing” outcome for the sector.  Dr Sue Pember, former top skills civil servant who is now director of policy at membership organisation for adult education providers Holex (pictured above), said that although it […]

Top 10 FE Week online news stories in 2016

FE Week continues to bring you all the important news, analysis and comment, pressing the government on key unanswered questions and often being first to many of the most important developments. In 2016 we’ve published a whopping 972 news stories, covering everything from the latest on apprenticeship reforms to the highs and lows of providers […]

2016 in FE Week cartoons – vote for your favourite

This year brought a wealth of interesting developments for FE Week to cover – from a new government to long-awaited details on apprenticeship reforms and the outcomes of a number of area reviews. But none of this would have been the same without FE Week’s brilliant cartoonist Bill Houston to capture the key events, and […]

Marsden ‘very disappointed’ as assurances on IfA announcements fail to deliver

Delays to the release of key details about the Institute for Apprenticeships are “very disappointing” evidence of a “haphazard” approach from the government, shadow skills minister Gordon Marsden has said. In a Public Bill Committee hearing on November 22, Peter Lauener, shadow chief executive of the IfA (pictured right), suggested to Mr Marsden that information […]

EFA announces no change to 16-18 funding rates

The Education Funding Agency has announced that the national base funding rates of £4,000 per full time student aged 16 to 17 and £3,300 for 18 year olds will remain unchanged for the academic year 2017 to 2018. The update will come as a disappointment to the Association of Colleges, which has been lobbying the […]

Scotland to spend less than half their levy funding on apprenticeships

The Scottish government has announced that its use of the apprenticeships levy will be more flexible than in England, funding a “range of employment measures”. Less than half of Scotland’s estimated £221m levy funding in 2017-18 will be used for apprenticeships, with the rest to be spent on a range of workforce development and pre-employment support […]

Failed UTC site used as cheap accommodation

Young professionals are living in a disused Walsall university technical college site, after the 14-19 institution was forced to closed in April last year. Black Country UTC was one of the first of its kind when it opened in 2011, but low student numbers, financial challenges, and poor Ofsted results were said to be behind […]

New plans for police constable apprenticeships unveiled

A police constable degree apprenticeship could help aspiring officers to meet new requirements for a degree level qualification to enter the profession from 2020, according to an announcement from the College of Policing today. The apprenticeship would be paid for by the force and take three years to complete, with the aim of better preparing […]

Minimal impact of schools’ careers advice on progression to FE exposed

Careers advice in schools is having little to no impact on young people’s decisions to stay on into FE, a new study has revealed. The disappointing results of Edge Foundation and City & Guilds report come over 18 months since the government launched the Careers and Enterprise Company, to help 12 to 18-year-olds “access the […]