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20 April 2026

Author: FE Week Reporter

Government review into IfL effectiveness

The government is to hold an independent review into workforce professionalisation, including the effectiveness of the Institute for Learning (IfL). John Hayes MP, minister for education, skills and lifelong learning, said the broad review would look at arrangements to achieve a professionalised workforce in further education, while also looking at the role of the IfL. […]

Web of opportunity at South Cheshire

Students who want to unravel a web of IT opportunities can sign up for an exciting new course at South Cheshire College. The Access to IT programme is the only course of its kind in the North West and can lead to a place at university or a prosperous career in the IT industry. The […]

Nottingham College construct a course for teenagers

A new pre-apprenticeship programme has been launched at New College Nottingham (ncn) to help 16 to 19-year-olds find employment in the construction industry. The course aims to equip young people with the skills needed to become an apprentice. Using its contacts with local employers, ncn will work with students to help them find a suitable […]

Bigger and Batter Fish and Chips at Bournemouth and Poole College

FE Week challenged the twittersphere to come up with some fishy puns for this fabulous college story. Apprentices at the Dorset college took part in a 24 hour challenge to make the largest portion of fish and chips – ever. 42 pieces of coley, 100 kgs of potatoes and a massive tub of mushy peas […]

BIS to ‘sweep away’ apprenticeship red tape for employers

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has announced a package of new measures today that will cut data returns and audit requirements for apprenticeship delivery, despite fraud and the misuse of funding reaching ‘a record high’ (Click here to read the BIS press release). (Click here to read FE Week’s coverage on the increase […]

New VP for Central Sussex College’s Sixth Form Haywards Heath

Richard Hailstone has been appointed the new Vice Principal for Sixth Form Haywards Heath campus at Central Sussex College. Richard is now responsible for managing the campus and its 1,200 students. The appointment follows the retirement of former Vice Principal Dr Alex Burford. Richard said: “I am delighted to be joining Central Sussex College and […]

Ofsted proposes changes to inspection of FE providers

Ofsted has launched a consultation regarding proposals to revise the inspection of further education colleges, work-based learning providers, adult and community learning (ACL) provision and ‘Next Step’ provision. The revisions are said to ‘streamline and simplify’ the current framework, which is based on Ofsted’s Common Inspection Framework for FE and skills, so that inspections focus […]

£6.5 million given to train engineering students in renewable energy

Business Secretary Vince Cable announced a £6.5 million investment yesterday to help train top engineering students in a new Industrial Doctorate Centre in Offshore Renewable Energy (IDCORE). Leading universities and global companies such as EDF Energy, Shell and Rolls Royce will train 50 students in a range of low carbon technologies such as wind, wave […]

ESOL funding u-turn?

The Skills Funding Agency confirmed this week that all ESOL learners who are actively seeking work could be eligible for full funding, irrespective of whether they are in receipt of work related benefits or income related benefits. The clarification is good news indeed and gives ESOL providers the opportunity to use the flexibility the government […]