FE Week Reporter | FE Week

AoC reveals 14 per cent Level 1 learner drop

Colleges have revealed a 14 per cent drop in Level 1 learners, new figures from the Association of Colleges (AoC) have revealed. Although the AoC’s data arrives from only a sample of colleges – 116, which is around one-third of its membership – it mirrors figures in their October survey and is also likely to be similar […]

SFA chief says he is ‘grappling’ with apprenticeship ‘teething problems’

The chief executive of the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) says he is “grappling” with apprenticeship issues after admitting to “teething problems” in the current system. Geoff Russell, speaking to FE Week at the Association of Colleges (AoC) Annual Conference, said the SFA has “spotted” concerns and is trying to better define apprenticeships. He said: “One […]

Daniel Khan, CEO, the Open College Network London Region

Daniel Khan had his first lessons in entrepreneurship from his father, who ran a corner shop in Trinidad. Helping out in the shop at weekends and cycling round the neighbourhood delivering groceries, he quickly developed a head for business. “It was a good education because you learned the value of hard work, but you also […]

AELP calls for clarity on taxpayer spending

Greater clarity is needed to ensure taxpayers know where their money is being spent, a further education (FE) body has warned as a new pilot is launched. The Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) say that government contribution to employer funded training should be clearly specified and should not subsidise training investment companies “have […]

Ofsted: Too little outstanding teaching in learning and skills

Quality of teaching in further education has been criticised in the annual report education regulator Ofsted. The report said there was “too little outstanding teaching in learning and skills providers” inspected in 2010/11. It said only 13 independent learning providers and two employer providers were judged outstanding for quality of teaching, with no colleges, adult […]

Gazelle colleges to teach FE students entrepreneurship

College principals and business leaders have launched an initiative to make the further education sector more entrepreneurial. The Gazelle Group is developing a new curriculum that challenges students to take charge of a college-owned business which operates in their local community. “We’ve got to create real companies and real businesses on our campuses in order […]

Young ‘NEETs’ reach record levels

Figures released this morning show record numbers of young people are out of education, work and training. Statistics published by the Department for Education show more than a million 16 to 24-year-olds – which is almost one in five – are considered NEET; not in education, employment or training. The figures reveal that in the […]

The UKCES announces £61m investment in employer led projects

More than £61 million will be invested in 63 projects to drive employer investment in skills across all the UK, it was announced today. The investment, provided through the Employer Investment Fund administered by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES), will support 18 Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) with employer designed and led skills […]

£60m fund to boost business skills and growth

Ministers have unveiled a £60 million fund to boost business skills and growth. The second phase of the Growth and Innovation Fund (GIF) will be launched by Business Secretary Vince Cable and Minister for Skills John Hayes today. They say it “will support businesses to develop their skills solutions tailored to their own needs, transforming growth […]