Billy Camden | FE Week

NHS apprenticeship starts in the north west fell by nearly half last year, new figures reveal

The north west was the region where NHS apprenticeships saw their biggest fall last year, as they dramatically dropped by nearly half, new figures have revealed. As previously reported by FE Week, the health service had a total of 19,820 apprenticeship starts in the 2015/16 academic year, but this fell by 22 per cent to […]

Union warns against another ‘shoddy’ pay deal on eve of college pay talks

The University and College Union has written to Anne Milton before key pay talks, to warn it will not put up with another “shoddy” deal. The union wrote to the skills minister today ahead of tomorrow’s sit down with the Association of Colleges, in which it is looking to secure a pay offer better than […]

Ofqual launch 52 question T-level consultation – but four week deadline a ‘shame’

Ofqual has today launched a consultation about how it will regulate T-levels – but has only given the sector four weeks to respond. The exams regulator is asking for views on how it should frame its rules, including on issues such as how assessments should be set and marked, when retakes can be taken, and […]

Learndirect criticised by Ofsted for ‘confusion’ over apprentices’ transfer

Leaders at Learndirect have been criticised by Ofsted for causing “confusion and uncertainty” over the transfer of their apprentices to other providers. Inspectors noted a number of improvements since it was rated ‘inadequate’ overall last summer and from two subsequent monitoring visits, in their latest assessment of the troubled provider. But “insufficient progress” is being […]

Great Debate on apprenticeships: time for stability, or major change?

The motion: This house believes the fall in apprenticeship starts since last May and the unspent levy proves urgent policy changes are needed The first in a series of FE Week and Pearson Great Debates was held in parliament this week, with nearly 300 sector leaders arguing over whether further reforms are needed to the […]

Ofsted watch: Bad week for providers – especially UTCs

It was a poor week for providers who received full inspections, as one failed to improve its grade three and two university technical colleges were hit with damning grade four reports. People and Business Development Ltd, an independent provider based in Suffolk, was rated ‘requires improvement’ across the board – which was worse than its […]

‘Incredible’ that DfE unsure which of its apprentices were already civil servants

The Department for Education has drawn criticism for not knowing whether more than a third of its apprentices were new or existing civil servants. As of May 10, the department had 186 employed apprentices. Through a freedom of information response, the DfE revealed that 76 of these were existing civil servants and 36 were new […]

Movers and Shakers: Edition 251

Your weekly guide to who’s new and who’s leaving Karen Redhead, principal and chief executive, Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College Start date: Autumn 2018 Previous job: principal and chief executive, Derwentside College Interesting fact: Karen is a keen horse rider, but now restricts herself to helping to judge at dressage competitions Julie Nerney, chair, […]

BTEC award winners 2018 unveiled

The 24 winners of the 2018 BTEC awards have been recognised at a glitzy ceremony in London. Central Hall Westminster held the awards where individual learners’ achievements were recognised in a range of subject areas, from construction to music and engineering to sport. Hosted by TV presenter and well-known FE supporter Steph McGovern, the ceremony […]