Fraser Whieldon | FE Week

Turing scheme opens for bids

Colleges and training providers can now apply for funding to send students and apprentices to study or work internationally under the government’s new Turing scheme. The programme, named after the famous mathematician, is intended to create 35,000 placements in 2021/22 and is replacing the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme. As revealed by FE Week last week, […]

FE white paper: Employer casts doubt on chambers of commerce leading role

Chambers of commerce are “not close enough to industry” to play a leading role in the skills system as set out in the FE white paper, an employer has warned. Flannery Plant Hire director Paul Allman made the remarks at an FE Week webcast (watch below) on the Skills for Jobs white paper, which announced […]

DfE was aware of bootcamps gender issue but has plans to tackle it

The Department for Education knew its flagship skills bootcamps could be flooded with male learners but has a raft of plans to tackle the issue, FE Week has learned. An equalities impact assessment of the programme received by this newspaper under the Freedom of Information Act makes a series of recommendations to bring in more […]

New provider monitoring visits back on for March 15

New provider monitoring visits will resume from March 15 – and they will be conducted face-to-face, Ofsted has confirmed. The inspectorate had hoped to restart the visits from January remotely but later announced they would be delayed indefinitely in light of the third national lockdown. A spokesperson for the watchdog told FE Week today they […]

MOVERS AND SHAKERS: EDITION 345

Your weekly guide to who’s new and who’s leaving. Natalie Taylor Director of employability, Learning Curve Group Start date: March 2021 Previous job: CEO, Antrec Limited Interesting fact: She developed her passion for vocational training at the age of 18 when she left college before her exams to start her own floristry business. Wayne Wright […]

‘Flexi-job’ apprenticeships: What are they and how will they work?

Several industries where project-based employment is the norm have struggled more than most to comply with the 12-month minimum apprenticeships rule, but their fortunes could be about to change. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced in the Budget on Wednesday a £7 million fund to run so-called “portable” or “flexi-job” apprenticeships in sectors such […]

College facing ‘uncertain future’ agrees merger partner

A troubled college is set to merge with one of the biggest college groups in the country this summer. Ruskin College will become part of Activate Learning in June 2021 after getting sign-off from skills minister Gillian Keegan. An Activate spokesperson said the decision was “unanimous” and “will ensure the unique identity of Ruskin College […]

MOVERS AND SHAKERS: EDITION 344

Your weekly guide to who’s new and who’s leaving. Jasmin Lewis, Assessment development manager, Construction EPA Company Start date: February 2021 Previous job: Healthcare partnership manager and product manager, Lifetime Training Group Interesting fact: She has performed in a West End theatre production based on the Beatles. Dominic Gill, Chair of trustees, Ufi VocTech Trust […]

College handed emergency cash as merger hits a second delay

An embattled sixth-form college being propped up by a £3 million bailout has seen its merger delayed for a second time. Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College in Stockport was originally due to join Trafford College Group last August, before this was pushed back to October after coronavirus delayed the due diligence process. The college […]