Author: FE Week Reporter

While providers gear up for the challenge of delivering traineeships, Ofsted has been looking at how to assess the scheme. Matthew Coffey explains what the education watchdog wants to see in action. We’re all too familiar with the young person who, for whatever reasons, hasn’t excelled at school and runs the risk of joining the […]

Are colleges ready for traineeships?  Yes, says Lynne Sedgmore, but there are still areas to consider. We all accept that the notion of traineeships is a good idea for many young people. In the post-Richard world of work-based education and training, and as the apprenticeship concept is being properly redefined, for many, the traineeship is […]

The transition from unskilled to skilled could be key to answering the UK’s youth unemployment problem, explains Matthew Hancock The German Chancellor Angela Merkel is by no means alone in regarding unemployment among young people as “the most pressing European problem”. However, in Germany the rates of youth unemployment are far lower than most of […]

The introduction of a training route to support young people without the necessary skills and qualifications to start an apprenticeship is a step forward, says shadow skills minister Gordon Marsden, but it must be implemented properly While I welcome the fact the Government are introducing traineeships for the 2013/14 academic year, the timescales involved concern […]

Macclesfield College soared from an Ofsted grade four to a grade two in just over a year. Principal Simon Andrews explains how. In February 2012, just weeks before I took over as principal, Macclesfield College failed an Ofsted inspection.  The college recorded an overall grade four ‘inadequate’ for overall effectiveness and leadership and management.  The […]

And apprenticeships inspire high levels of ambition, confidence and eloquence says Matthew Coffey, National Director of Further Education and Skills This is an important week for vocational education. The Worldskills competition in Leipzig, Germany is showcasing some of the world’s best young trainees. They will compete for medals in 46 disciplines ranging from hairdressing to […]