Fraser Whieldon | FE Week

WorldSkills: UK beats China in first virtual pressure test

The UK’s elite squad of skilled young people in electronics has beaten their Chinese counterparts in this country’s first virtual pressure test – a new means of training for the international WorldSkills competitions during the pandemic. FE Week spoke to competitors, trainers and organisers to find out if the innovative model will become the new […]

Let’s not kill off the small specialist, local provider in the pursuit of the Amazon model

What’s really behind the Commission on the College of the Future’s recommendation that colleges should have a ‘legal duty’ to create networks, asks Luke Rake Like many, I have been waiting with interest for the outcome of the Independent Commission on The College of the Future. The sector has for years been lagging in funding, […]

Why college networks might be a step in the right direction

The future colleges report’s call for a network strategy is eminently sensible as a corrective to failing marketisation, writes Stuart Rimmer. This week the College of the Future report landed, with some thoughtful description of how our sector can drive place, productivity and people. There is much merit in the report, which captures discussions between […]

The truth is – college leaders can’t agree on what is best for their future

This week the Independent Commission on the College of the Future published their report for England – and despite all the events and consultations since they launched 20 months ago – one recommendation appears to have surprised every college leader I have spoken to. The report recommended that the law should require “funding and accountability […]

This is a compelling vision that should be reflected in the forthcoming white paper

The Independent Commission on the College of the Future rightly calls on college leaders to drive forward a positive change agenda, rather than waiting for someone else to tell them what to do, says David Hughes. The English report from the Independent Commission on the College of the Future sets out a compelling vision, one […]

London college agrees merger after being put at ‘significant risk’

A London college which was put at “significant risk” by failures in financial management and control is seeking to join a successfully-merged neighbour. Richmond-upon-Thames College (RuTC) has announced, as a result of an FE Commissioner-led structure and prospects appraisal, that it plans to merge with Harrow College and Uxbridge College (HCUC) by August 2021. It […]

Government set to create ‘college business centres’

New college “business centres” will be launched by the government in an effort to hand employers greater influence over skills training, FE Week can reveal. The centres were first proposed by the Association of Colleges in the membership body’s submission to the upcoming Spending Review where they called for a £40 million pilot of such […]

Lifetime skills guarantee: Fresh setback to list of free level 3 quals

The list of level 3 qualifications being fully funded for all adults under the Lifetime Skills Guarantee could take until the end of the year to be published, despite the government originally promising it for October. Prime minster Boris Johnson announced at Exeter College in September the government would extend its current offering of a […]

MOVERS AND SHAKERS: EDITION 333

Your weekly guide to who’s new and who’s leaving. Oli de Botton, Chief executive, The Careers and Enterprise Company Start date: Early 2021 Current job: Headteacher, School 21 Interesting fact: He once, inadvertently, shared an open mic stage with Ed Sheeran Trudy Norris-Grey, Chair, UCAS board of trustees Start date: December 2020 Current job: Chair, […]