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14 May 2026

ESFA to consult on ‘new’ register of apprenticeship training providers

The government is preparing to launch its consultation on the design and development of the revamped register of apprenticeship training providers. Employers and providers have been denied the opportunity to win a place on to RoATP ever since the third and most recent application window shut at the end of October. The application process has […]

London mayor to use AEB top-slice to lobby for more powers

A £3 million department created by the Greater London Authority using part of the capital’s adult education budget will also be used to lobby for control of 16-to-18 funding. The plans were revealed in a job description for one of the top roles in the new AEB team, seen by FE Week, and have attracted […]

London’s largest college group ends UCU strike

Industrial action at the largest college group in London has come to an end after Capital City College Group offered staff a “modest, non-consolidated payment” and more secure contracts. University and College Union members at the group’s three campuses – City and Islington College, Westminster Kingsway College, and the College of Haringey, Enfield and North […]

Get ‘faster and better’ at approving apprenticeship standards, skills minister tells IfA

The skills minister has told the Institute for Apprenticeships to get “faster and better” at approving apprenticeship standards. Anne Milton’s request appeared in a document called “strategic guidance to the Institute for Apprenticeships”, published today. FE Week revealed two weeks ago that the institute approved just four standards throughout April and 10 in March, down […]

IfA opens applications for its 15 occupational route panels

The Institute for Apprenticeships has begun the recruitment process for membership to its 15 occupational route panels. The groups are being created to lead the review and approval of new apprenticeship standards and technical qualifications. They will be in addition to the panels set up by the Department for Education for T-levels, but once the […]

PeoplePlus in talks to buy Learndirect

A publicly listed company is in talks to buy Learndirect Ltd, FE Week has learned. PeoplePlus Group Limited, which is owned by Staffline and already trains tens of thousands of people each year, opened a dialogue with the nation’s biggest FE provider over a purchase last week. Discussions are understood to be in the early […]

Seven more days of strikes at Hull College Group

Staff at the Hull College Group will walk out for seven days in June as part of an ongoing bitter row over plans to slash hundreds of jobs.   University and College Union members, who represent nearly 400 of HCG’s 1,200 workers, announced today that they will strike for an initial five days starting on […]

ESFA reveal AEB funding rules with free courses for the low paid

Detail on the government’s new adult education budget policy has been published, after FE Week revealed yesterday it would offer free courses for anyone earning less than £15,726.50. The Department for Education will trial the policy in 2018/19, enabling AEB providers to “fully fund learners” who are employed on low wages and cannot contribute towards […]