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13 May 2026

Author: FE Week Reporter

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 […]

£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 […]

Cornwall College SU President becomes youngest ever Councillor for Cornwall

A students’ union president has become the youngest councillor in Cornwall. Cornwall College Students’ Union President Joe Vinson has been elected to his local parish council. Joe, who turned 18 in July, decided to stand for St Agnes Parish Council after nine councillors resigned and he felt faith had been lost by residents in the […]

Floristry shop opened at Doncaster College

There was a festival of colour as a college opened its new floristry shop. Doncaster College opened the shop last week with Gill Parkes, head of the academy of commercial enterprise, leading the celebrations. Floristry students got the chance to showcase their skills by demonstrating a number of floristry practices, such as Christmas wreath making, […]