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26 May 2026

Author: FE Week

West Midlands college merger bites the dust for lack of government cash

Another major merger between two colleges in the west Midlands has been called off, amid accusations that the government was unwilling to provide the necessary funding. In a joint statement, North Shropshire College and Reaseheath College in neighbouring Cheshire, said “unfortunately, long-term funding is not available” for a merger, even though they have “successfully worked […]

Global STEM challenge exhibits at Formula 1 Live in London event

An international STEM competition for apprentices and young people, F1 in Schools, exhibited at the first-ever Formula 1 Live in London event last week. The event brought together Formula 1 drivers, musicians and supercar fans, and was hosted in London’s Trafalgar Square. Positioned in the ‘innovation showcase’ area of the event, F1 in Schools – […]

Grimsby boy swaps fish and chips for funeral services

A former waiter in a Grimsby fish and chip shop is hoping to become a funeral director after taking up an apprenticeship in funeral care. Samantha King reports. Ryan Coombes spent four years working in his local fish and chip shop before deciding he wanted to pursue an alternative career, applying for an apprenticeship within […]

Student helps publicise talking newspaper charity with new website

An IT student is helping blind and partially sighted people in Bath and Bristol access a talking newspaper. Peter Day (pictured), a level 3 student from Bath College has been working on a website for charity, Keynsham & District Talking Newspaper, which helps people who struggle with their sight access local news. It posts subscribers […]

Movers and Shakers: Edition 216

Your weekly guide to who’s new and who’s leaving Tony Batchelor has been appointed training manager at the British Woodworking Federation, a trade association for the UK’s woodworking and joinery manufacturing industry. In the newly created role, Mr Batchelor will be responsible for working to increase recruitment in the sector, and maintain and develop qualifications. […]

Apprentices commissioned to make trophies for Asian Apprenticeship Awards

A team of apprentices have been commissioned to create trophies for the annual Asian Apprenticeship Awards. The apprentices from the Midlands-based engineering company Salop Design and Engineering Ltd will design and manufacture the trophies, which will be given to winners. Salop supplies goods to the manufacturing, automotive and aerospace industries, with clients such as Jaguar Land […]

College donates radio equipment to remote Gambian village

A college is donating radio broadcasting equipment to a remote village in west Africa so they can set up a local community radio station. The equipment, currently owned by the Heart of Worcestershire College, will be donated to residents in the Gambian village of Kwinella to enable them to communicate more easily. The donation was the […]

Corbyn tries his hand at bricklaying during college visit

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tried his hand at bricklaying during a visit to Barnet and Southgate College. Mr Corbyn met with students at the college’s construction training centre, where he had a go at laying bricks using cement and lining them up to create a wall, under the watchful eye of construction tutor Vincent O’Brien […]