Alix Robertson | FE Week

RoATP provider now selling for tens of thousands

A company with no apparent track record or trading history is being put up for sale because it managed to win a place on the new register of approved training providers, FE Week has learned. What’s more, multiple companies that do change hands may even be allowed to remain on the register, according to a […]

Institute for Apprenticeships announces route panel chairs and apprentice panel

The Institute for Apprenticeships has appointed the chairs for 15 route panels, and a panel of apprentices to advise the board. The route panels are made up of industry experts and will be responsible for setting the standards of knowledge, skills and behaviours needed by employers for every occupation in England. The chairs will lead their groups […]

New Ofsted chair unveiled

A former university vice-chancellor has been appointed as the new chair of education watchdog Ofsted. Professor Julius Weinberg will replace the current interim chair James Kempton, education secretary Justine Greening announced today. She said Professor Weinberg, who will now step down from his current role as Ofqual’s deputy chair, brings a “wide range of experience […]

BREAKING: Procurement paused for apprenticeships with smaller employers

The decision over funding allocations for apprenticeship provision for non-levy-paying employers has been be paused by the government, to allow time a careful review. The Education and Skills Funding Agency today revealed that the recent procurement process had been significantly oversubscribed, due to overwhelming interest from the training provider market in the apprenticeship reforms. It said pausing […]

Confusion and anger as hundreds of apprenticeship providers left disappointed

Training providers without a current apprenticeship contract have hit back against the government’s surprise announcement this morning to deny them direct access to non-levy funding from May, saying their time tendering has been “wasted” and their viability “threatened”. Earlier today the Education and Skills Funding Agency announced that the decision over funding allocations for apprenticeship provision for non-levy-paying employers had been […]

AELP demands widespread changes to 20 per cent off-the-job apprenticeship training rule

Calls are being made for widespread changes to the minimum 20 per cent off-the-job training apprenticeship rule, in a new report expressing Association of Employment and Learning Providers frustration. According to the government, off-the-job training must amount to “20 per cent of the apprentice’s contracted employment hours across the whole apprenticeship”, but AELP wants more detailed […]

Influential group of MPs demand action over lack of apprenticeship assessment organisations

Government apprenticeship policies have come in for stern criticism in a new report by MPs, that insisted standards should have at least one approved assessment organisation in place before they’re delivered. The sub-committee on education, skills and the economy, formed from the education and business select committees, gave a total of 36 conclusions and recommendations […]

Apprenticeship providers warned not to sacrifice quality

The “new apprenticeship system is the eBay of education” and “will drive down quality”, the boss of the Association of Employment and Learning providers told delegates at FE Week’s third Annual Apprenticeships Conference. There were further strong words from the Department for Education’s director of apprenticeships David Hill, who told providers not to “do a […]

Delegates flood to Birmingham for FE Week’s Annual Apprenticeships Conference

FE Week’s third Annual Apprenticeships Conference was off to a flying start this morning, after a warm welcome from the BBC’s Kirsty Wark to a packed exhibition hall at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham. Ms Wark (pictured above), who will host for the full three days, set the scene for delegates and looked back […]