FE Week Reporter | FE Week

Case for employer ownership unclear

The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) has confirmed its most recent report was drawn up using no new data or research. Proposals made in the Employer Ownership of Skills report were suggested by the 23 UKCES commissioners, of which three represent both further and higher education, and three represent small and medium-sized employers. […]

Further 16-18 apprenticeship funding rate reduction

The government is proceeding with plans to reduce the national funding rate for 16 to 18 apprenticeships by another two per cent next year, despite under-spending by £15m in 2010/11. The rate reduction comes as youth unemployment continues to break records, which for 16 and 24 year-olds increased by 52,000 during the three months ending […]

Geoff Russell to retire from Skills Funding Agency

Geoff Russell has announced that he will leave the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) this summer. Mr Russell (53), who will remain as chief executive at the Agency until the end of July, said his task “is complete” and “it is time to move on” when today revealing his decision to retire from the post he has […]

Former head of funding policy ‘seconded’ back to the Skills Funding Agency

The former head of funding policy at the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has been temporarily contracted to the Skills Funding Agency. John Bolt, who led the development of the current funding methodologies before leaving the Council, has been seconded to the Agency (which replaced the LSC in April 2010) by his current employer KPMG, […]

Simon Waugh to leave National Apprenticeship Service

Simon Waugh is to step down as chief executive of the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS). The revelation follows a turbulent six months for the NAS, including a dramatic rise in the number of new apprentices aged over 25, as well as the launch of a review into the quality and duration of all apprenticeship schemes. It also […]

Youth unemployment hits 1.04 million

Youth unemployment has again increased to a new high since records began in 1992, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The number of unemployed people aged between 16 and 24 increased by 52,000 during the last three months, hitting a staggering 1.04 million. The figure, taken from September to November 2011, includes 313,000 […]

NUS suggests ten ways yacht money could improve FE

The National Union of Students (NUS) has suggested ten ways the estimated £60 million needed to buy a yacht for the Queen could be spent on improving FE and HE. The Guardian reported how the education secretary, Michael Gove, wanted the public to donate a royal yacht as part of the Queen’s diamond jubilee celebrations. David Cameron […]

Multi-million pound boost to college sport

A multi-million pound investment is to be made by the government to boost sport in colleges. Jeremy Hunt, secretary of state for the Department for Culture, Olympics Media & Sport, has launched the Youth Sports Strategy, which includes £25 million to be given to further education and sixth form colleges. The aim of the money […]

Consultancy appointed to develop UTCs

A consultancy firm has been appointed to aid the development of University Technical Colleges (UTCs). Mott MacDonald has been appointed by Partnerships for Schools (PfS) as technical advisor for the development of 16 UTCs, which offer 14 to 19 year-olds the opportunity to take a technical course of study at a specialist college. The scheme will […]