FE Week Reporter | FE Week

Youth unemployment exceeds one million

The record rate for youth unemployment is now above the one million mark. Details released this morning by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show the jobless figure for 16 to 24 year olds rose by 67,000 over the quarter to reach 1.02 million. The ONS said: “The unemployment rate for people aged from 16 […]

Apprenticeships for learners aged over 25 should be scrapped, says IPPR

Apprenticeships should be restricted to learners under the age of 25, according to researchers from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) in a new book launched today. Proposals include increasing the funding for pre-apprenticeship training by applying an age limit to all apprenticeship starts. Tess Lanning, a research fellow at IPPR and Tony Dolphin, […]

Students honoured at annual Helena Kennedy Foundation awards ceremony

Students who excelled in exceptional circumstances were recognised at the glamorous Helena Kennedy Foundation (HKF) Awards. More than a dozen learners were invited to the House of Lords to receive their certificate from Baroness Kennedy QC, president of HKF. Each year, HKF invites further education and sixth form colleges and adult education centres across the […]

Cornwall College makes ‘light’ work of cake

Students helped Cornwall Film Festival celebrate its 10th birthday in style this week, by creating a bespoke birthday cake for the special occasion. Five Level 3 patisserie & confectionery chefs spent weeks designing and constructing the metre high cake in the college kitchens after their classes to ensure it would be ready in time for […]

Dearne Valley College archery champion points the way for new fitness centre

An Olympic hopeful was on target at the opening of a college’s new fitness centre. Archery World Championship medal winner Amy Oliver (24), from Swinton, who hopes to compete at London 2012 Olympic Games, officially opened the new extended fitness facilities at Dearne Valley College (DVC). Amy, a former DVC student, was on hand with […]

Apprenticeships in identity crisis at ‘real or rebrand’ debate

The definition, purpose and identity of apprenticeships was criticised heavily at the ‘Growth in Apprenticeships: real or rebrand?’ debate held in the House of Commons last week. More than eighty representatives from colleges, training providers and political parties discussed the rising number of apprentices aged 25 and above, and whether this was simply a ‘rebadging’ […]

Celebrity ‘petrol heads’ stop to refuel at Central Sussex College campus car challenge

Central Sussex College’s Motorsport team was pleased to show off its modified vehicles at the second RAC Brighton to London Future Car Challenge at the weekend. The cars created plenty of interest from visiting celebrities. The entrants – including celebrity car enthusiasts Quentin Willson, Kevin McCloud (Grand Designs), actor Robert Llewellyn, DJ Mark Goodier and […]

Herefordshire College of Technology go green and win award with sustainable cafe

A college’s café has been handed a prestigious award. The Straw Bale Café at Herefordshire College of Technology’s (HCT) Holme Lacy Campus received recognition at the West of England LABC Awards by winning the ‘Technical Innovation’ category in the local and most recently, the national finals. The LABC awards are all about excellence achieved through […]

Ben Cohen stands up for anti-bullying charity

A rugby hero was back on home turf to spend the day with college students promoting an important message. Celebrated England Rugby World Cup winner and former Northampton Saints player Ben Cohen raised awareness of his new anti-bullying charity – Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation – at Northampton College. The aim of the foundation is to […]