FE Week Reporter | FE Week

De Vere Academy putting 100% of learners on an access to apprenticeship

The De Vere Academy of Hospitality has been given permission by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) to start all of their learners on an access to apprenticeship. “As agreed with NAS and the Skills Funding Agency (SFA), De Vere’s work trial programme allows all starts to be on a six week access pathway with the […]

SFA publish 2012/13 funding rules for a third time

A third version of the funding rules for 2012/13 have been published by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA). It updates version two, published in May, and replaces all of the funding requirements documents that currently exist. Some of the changes affect the evidence which providers need to submit to the SFA in order to prove […]

Employer Ownership of Skills pilot delayed by Ministers

The Employer Ownership of Skills pilot will not launch in August as planned, according to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES). Applicants were supposed to be contacted by the Commission in June and July, with the delivery of successful bids starting in August. However, a UKCES spokesperson told FE Week they were still waiting for Ministers […]

‘Soul destroying’ A4e course exposed on Twitter by former NUS Vice President

An employability course managed by the ‘welfare to work’ firm A4e has been criticised on Twitter by a former NUS Vice President. Ed Marsh, former VP for Union Development, has been using the social network to expose numerous shortcomings in sessions delivered by 5E Limited, a subcontractor working on behalf of A4e. The course, which […]

Holt to apprenticeships review

A review into how businesses can be encouraged to hire an apprentice has been delayed by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). Social entrepreneur and jeweller Jason Holt has finished his review, but the report and government response will not be published by the end of the month as planned. “The date slipped, but […]

Young landscape gardeners selected for WorldSkills UK squad

Seven landscape gardeners have earned a place in Squad UK for WorldSkills Leipzig 2013. The competitors were chosen after competing in a three day selection event at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park. The selected landscape gardeners are: – Matt Beasley, 18, from Winsford, Cheshire, who attends Reaseheath College. – Matthew Bradley, 18, from Crumlin, Co.Antrim, Northern […]

Chesterfield College appoint new principal

Trevor Clay has been revealed as the new principal and chief executive of Chesterfield College. “With over 1 million young people unemployed it is more important than ever that we give people the skills they need to gain employment,” he said. “As such, I’m excited about taking the college forward as we look to our mission […]

Youth Contract to pay colleges for helping NEETs

The government will pay private companies, including 24 FE colleges, to help 16 and 17 year-olds back into a job or education, it was announced today. The initiative is part of the Youth Contract, unveiled by Nick Clegg in February and worth up to £126 million. Charities and businesses will be paid up to £2,200 for every young […]

FE Guild will make no difference without a culture of shared professional identity

Last year it was my great pleasure to be invited to the celebratory dinner held during WorldSkills; in my role as President of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering, I was dressed in my finest presidential regalia. There were many professional bodies and institutes represented, each having its own rich history of supporting […]