FE Week Reporter | FE Week

All change to Ofsted inspections in FE

Reflecting on the potential challenges facing colleges and providers as a result of changes in funding, I have given much thought as to how providers might respond and how vital it will be that they are able to evaluate the impact on learners of a sector ‘doing more for less’ against the criteria that the […]

Making the point: international students in FE

Last month the National Audit Office (NAO) released a report on student immigration (‘Immigration: The Points Based System – Student Route), which reviewed the actions of the UK Border Agency (UKBA) to strengthen controls over student migration through Tier 4 of the Points Based System. Under Tier 4, each student must be sponsored by educational […]

Skilled students go head to head at City College Southampton’s industry week

They are the future stars of industry in the south and last month they joined forces to learn more about life in the workplace. Hundreds of students across marine, construction and electrical courses took part in City College Southampton’s industry week, which saw them work on hands-on and competitive activities to prepare them to go […]

John Widdowson, principal, New College Durham

Born into a family of mill workers, machine operators and motor mechanics, John Widdowson jokes that he is the first in his family who hasn’t had to work for a living. Growing up in Lancashire, he was a studious child, who – much to the despair of his father and grandfather – was absolutely “useless” […]

Managing Editor of FE Week to give evidence on apprenticeships

The managing editor of FE Week will give evidence at the next session of an inquiry into apprenticeships. Nick Linford, who is also author of the Hands-on Guide to Post-16 Funding, has been called as a witness for the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee’s fifth evidence session, which takes place on Tuesday. The session will be held in Committee Room 6, at […]

NAS Quality Action Plan revealed

A document detailing how the government will improve the quality of the apprenticeship programme has today been published. The Quality Action Plan, drawn up by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), includes a number of measures to improve the content and delivery of frameworks, focusing on IT and customer service provision in particular. Planned actions include […]

Zenos brand scrapped by Pearson

Pearson has scrapped the Zenos brand for its ICT apprenticeships. Zenos, a training provider owned by Pearson, will now operate under the name Pearson in Practice. A spokesperson for Pearson in Practice told FE Week: “Zenos has been operating as a fully integrated part of Pearson in Practice for a number of months and officially changed its […]

Did you #askHayes about launch of National Careers Service?

The skills minister was questioned about the new National Careers Service and impartial information, advice and guidance in a live Twitter debate this morning. John Hayes MP, the first minister from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to ever take part in a Twitter Q&A, answered questions submitted via the hashtag #AskHayes in […]

Work experience essential for preparing next apprentices, says Ofsted

Young people who take part in work experience or vocational study at school are more likely to succeed in an apprenticeship than those who have no exposure to the workplace, a report by Ofsted has revealed. The education watchdog is calling on the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to develop “a national set of […]