Author: Billy Camden

The man in charge of Ofqual’s vocational arm, Jeremy Benson, has decided to leave the exams regulator after nearly six years, in light of the recent skills plan. Mr Benson, who joined Ofqual in 2010 as director of strategic management and then became executive director for vocational qualifications in 2014, said he is moving on […]

Ofsted’s chief inspector’s criticism about “uniformly weak” careers guidance in colleges has been exposed for lacking any identifiable external source or inspection based evidence. Sir Michael Wilshaw made the accusation yet again during a speech at the Baker Dearing conference today. He said: “Report after report finds that careers guidance in both schools and colleges […]

A government skills agency has set aside £2m to pay off its staff following confirmation of its closure. The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) announced in March that its funding for 2016/17 was going to be withdrawn but no staff exits were yet agreed. But in the agency’s annual accounts report, published today, […]

Ofsted’s chief inspector has slammed university technical colleges (UTC) and told them that they need to make “radical improvement” if the model is to survive. Sir Michael Wilshaw, who has been a champion of the controversial 14 to 19 vocational institutions during his tenure as the education watchdog’s boss, spoke out at the Baker Dearing […]

Half of University Technical Colleges (UTCs) that have been open for two or more years are yet to be graded by Ofsted, exclusive FE Week analysis has revealed. Checks on the education watchdog’s website showed that of 28 UTCs that have been open for this minimum period, 14 have not yet been inspected and graded. […]

The government has refused to say if a contingency plan has been put in place in the event that the apprenticeship levy systems fail to work. FE Week understands that the question was also asked at a government apprenticeship stakeholder group meeting, chaired by Jason Holt, held yesterday at the Department for Education (DfE). When […]

The apprenticeship levy launch date should be delayed by the new skills minister, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has insisted. Harlow MP Robert Halfon was confirmed as Nick Boles’ successor as skills minister yesterday — a few hours after on the CBI unveiled the results of a survey with nearly 500 companies showing widespread […]

FE sector leaders have welcomed Robert Halfon as the new minister for apprenticeships and skills, with the “right credentials” for the tough job ahead. Mr Halfon (pictured) succeeds Nick Boles, who quit from the role last week, at a new look Department for Education, which has now taken control of skills, apprenticeships and higher education in an expansion […]

Day two of FE Week’s Festival of Skills proved to be every bit as insightful, thought-provoking and fun as day one. We have again put together a selection of photos to try and capture the atmosphere of the continuing professional development event of the year for FE and skills, held at the stunning Capel Manor […]