Author: Billy Camden

The boss of Aspire Achieve Advance has contacted the apprenticeship giant’s clients to “reassure” them that he’s taking the business forward as “new management”, even though he’s held a top leadership role there for over two years. Richard Irons (pictured), who joined the company known as 3aaa in mid-2016 as its chief operating officer, was […]

Ofsted delayed inspecting the beleaguered Aspire Achieve Advance for years despite its achievement rates plummeting when apprentice numbers nearly quadrupled and severe safeguarding concerns were brought forward by a whistleblower. An FE Week investigation has uncovered the serious failing by the education watchdog, which has now come under fire from chair of the influential Public […]

The skills minister has highlighted the “risks” associated with degree apprenticeships after her predecessor evangelised about how they are his “two favourite words”. Anne Milton and Robert Halfon engaged in a heated exchange about the high level qualifications during a fringe event at the Conservative party conference. Mr Halfon, now chair of the education select […]

Beleaguered apprenticeship giant Aspire Achieve Advance has put itself up for sale with the government’s backing. The decision has been made following a suspension on its recruitment while an Education and Skills Funding Agency investigation is carried out into the company’s achievement rates. It is the second government investigation into the provider in the last […]

The principal of a high-profile college in financial crisis has resigned with immediate effect, FE Week can reveal. Dame Asha Khemka (pictured), who is one of the highest paid FE leaders in the country, stepped down from the top post at West Nottinghamshire College following a “special meeting of the board of governors”. It was […]

The Russian Federation reigned supreme at EuroSkills 2018 after their team claimed nine golds, eight silvers, two bronzes and 10 medallions of excellence in Budapest. Following up in second place was Austria while France finished third (full table below). Russia, which is hosting next year’s WorldSkills competition in Kazan, took 37 young people to compete […]

It’s been a tiring and testing week but Team UK are feeling “amazing” and “awesome” to have today finished competitions at EuroSkills 2018. Hairdressing competitor Gavin Jon Kyte, who works and trains at Reds Hair Company in Herefordshire, had huge support from friends and family throughout his journey in Budapest. “I didn’t even know my […]

Team UK is celebrating tonight after competitors bagged one gold and three bronze medals to retain its top-10 position at EuroSkills. The team finished in ninth place overall when these successes were combined with its medallion of excellence haul of seven. Picking up Team UK’s gold was Holly-Mae Cotterell (pictured), who was voted Europe’s best […]

The 10th EuroSkills will draw to a close tonight after 28 countries completed three gruelling days of competition. A closing and awards ceremony will be streamed live from Budapest from 6.30pm BST and finish at 8.30pm where we will find out how Team UK performed. Representing the UK was 22 young trades people who competed […]