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13 May 2026

Author: FE Week Reporter

UKCES should also be reviewed

It seems that this is the season to dish-out reviews in FE. In recent weeks it has been announced that both the Institute for Learning, and the Skills Funding Agency will be reviewed, and there will also be at least three different apprenticeship reviews (NAS on duration, Vince’s employer-led on standards and then there is […]

Trafford College students support Misha B

Students at Trafford College’s Manchester Music Base are rallying in support of fellow student and X Factor contestant Misha B. Following her shock position on the show in the ‘sing off’ two weeks ago, classmates at the college have joined together to lend their support for the singer. Misha, currently a vocal artist student at […]

Speech by Simon Waugh (NAS) at ‘The Future of Apprenticeships’ conference

(For the full event report from ‘The Future of Apprenticeships’ conference, click here) Good morning everybody. For those of you that know me, I’m always delighted to be talking about apprenticeships. There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind, and I hope in most of your minds I think, that apprenticeships, if done right, can add […]

Anxiety over government funding tools

Government further education (FE) funding software is “not functional” and there are “serious problems across all government agencies related to data”, according to the College Management Information Systems (CMIS) network. A letter seen by FE Week and supported by more than a hundred FE colleges says the Learner Information Suite (LIS), is the source of […]

The problem with badges

We all have them. You go to a college, they give you a Visitor Pass and then you forget to hand it in when you leave. It’s on your lapel and then you see folks in the street staring at your chest. Not a problem for me, but the ladies amongst us might find this […]

NAS asks for help to stamp out substandard apprenticeships

The Chief Executive of the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) has called for the sector to work together in order to stamp out poor quality apprenticeships. Simon Waugh (right), speaking at the fourth national ‘Future of Apprenticeships’ conference last week, said if everyone was “on the case” it would be possible to get substandard training down […]

The devil is in the detail for new teacher training bursary scheme

The Annual Conference of the Association Colleges is a highlight for many of us in the FE sector. Debate and discussion on the big issues of the day, high profile keynote speakers, showcases of the very best in teaching and learning and, of course, silently judging exhibitors based on the quality of their freebies. Ministerial […]

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 […]