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15 May 2026

Author: Billy Camden

War of words continues as AoC boss accused of putting ‘institutional self-interest before learners’ interest’

A dispute between the leaders of FE’s two biggest associations has taken another twist, with one accusing the other of putting “institutional self-interest before learners’ interest”. Last week, Mark Dawe, chief executive of the Association of Employment and Learning Providers, traded verbal blows with David Hughes, boss of the AoC, over the quality of apprenticeships […]

The Skills Show is back and it’s bigger than ever

Strictly Come Dancing stars and the apprenticeships minister will be among more than 90,000 people heading to NEC Birmingham for the fifth annual Skills Show next week. Visitors will be taking part in over 50 hands-on activities, taking careers advice, and watching the country’s most talented apprentices and learners compete in finals of the national […]

Learner survey dodge as some refuse to participate

The FE Choices survey into student satisfaction isn’t worth the bother, according to one of the country’s largest colleges – which has refused to take part. The Skills Funding Agency published the results of its annual learner satisfaction poll in June, showing that private providers were more popular amongst learners than colleges, scoring 89.6 per […]

Minister on a monthly mission

July 2016 I’ve been appointed as Minister for apprenticeships and skills. I am very excited and very happy. My first speech as a backbencher in the House of Commons was on apprenticeships – I’d never have thought that one day I’d be responsible for an area I am so passionate about. I know it is […]

Employers pass their judgement in satisfaction ratings

General FE colleges have admitted to apprenticeship failings, after government research showed they are significantly less popular with employers than private training providers. Training providers scored 83.9 per cent in the Skills Funding Agency’s latest employer satisfaction survey published last month, while colleges’ rating was nearly ten per cent lower at 74.9 per cent. The […]

David Hughes: let’s present a confident and ambitious AoC regions front for colleges

Ahead of David’s first three-day AoC annual conference as chief executive, we discuss the area reviews, our ministers and the need for positivity.  “In a way, it being my first conference isn’t particularly important,” he tells me. “What’s more important is that we’ve got a new government and we’ve got a new secretary of state […]

AoC and AELP bosses battle over independent provider quality

The bosses of FE’s two biggest associations have traded verbal blows over the quality of apprenticeships that are delivered by private training providers. David Hughes, chief executive of the Association of Colleges, has claimed that independent providers offer apprentices “not very much” training, mostly assessing them “on the job”. But his comments sparked a war […]

New south London free school ruffles local feathers

Two colleges in south London have hit out at a new 16-19 free school that will offer only vocational courses and GCSE resits opening in their area. The Harris Professional Skills Sixth Form (HPS6F), a standalone free school in Croydon, will offer 170 places for professional skills courses, with another 60 places for students retaking […]

Big win over small schools

I would like to congratulate the Association of Colleges on its important win for the sector. It flexed its muscles through demanding a judicial review, and the DfE was right to respond by dropping plans to fund what would have been another undersized and unneeded sixth form. Our discovery that a further Loxford Trust sixth […]