FE Week Reporter | FE Week

BIS respond to their FE and skills consultation

They have been in the pipeline for several months, but last week the government confirmed a raft of new further education (FE) reforms. Key policies including the introduction of FE loans for the over 24s from 2013 and more freedoms for colleges have been announced following the release of the sector-wide consultation on FE reforms; […]

Criticism over competition

Skills Funding Agency could take funding away from providers who try to poach employers Providers could miss out on vital apprenticeship funding if they are found to be poaching employers. The hard-line has been taken by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) in the wake of a number of complaints from providers, who have already set […]

BIS publish their Skills Investment Statement 2011-2014

This morning the Department for Business Innovation and Skills published their Skills investment statement 2011-2014: Investing in a World Class Skills System. FE Week will be bringing you the highlights shortly. Download a copy of the investment statement by clicking here.

BIS respond to their FE reform consultation

This morning the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) published their response their FE reform consultation, called the Further Education and Skills System Reform Plan: Building a World Class Skills System. The BIS statement reads: “Key reforms to Further Education will see businesses helping to develop the courses that best meet their needs for […]

Cable announces 19,000 new higher apprenticeships

More than half a dozen further education (FE) colleges will benefit from government funding for 19,000 new higher apprenticeships. The successful bids, unveiled by Business Secretary Vince Cable in Cornwall last week, will be funded by £18.7 million of the Higher Apprenticeship Fund (HAF), worth £25 million in total. They will be in sectors such […]

Autumn Statement: Osborne confirms plans to tackle youth unemployment

Chancellor George Osborne confirmed a number of policies designed to put tackle youth unemployment during his Autumn Statement yesterday. Mr Osborne emphasised a Youth Contract worth over £940 million that will offer young people on Jobseekers Allowance work experience, apprenticeships and jobs. “Private sector work experience for every young person unemployed for three months,” the […]

College targeted in £475k fraud

A college was conned out of nearly half-a-million pounds of taxpayers’ cash. Castle College, which has sites in Maid Marian Way, Nottingham, and in Beeston, paid a training company £475,391 in the belief that people had taken training courses, the Nottingham Post reports. The college organises courses for people who are employed but want to […]

Bicton College students get pat on the back for smelly Children in Need fundraiser

Bicton College students created an innovative Children in Need fundraiser involving a cow last Friday. The Sport and Outdoor Adventure students placed a cow in a pen on the lawn in front of Bicton House and then sold numbered pieces of wood to staff and students to place around the pen in the hope of […]

£1b to tackle youth unemployment

A £1 billion package has been announced to tackle youth unemployment, as the number of 16-24 year-olds out of work, education and training reaches a record high. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Employment Minister Chris Grayling announced today the money will be spread over next three years to provide unemployed young people with extra […]