Author: Fraser Whieldon

An embattled college is in merger talks with two neighbouring college groups after a surprise £6 million deficit crippled its finances. Gateshead College is currently undergoing a structure and prospects appraisal with the FE Commissioner, following an independent investigation into the college’s “inaccurate” budget forecast. Now, FE Week understands the college is in merger talks […]

The parent company of a recently-purchased apprenticeship training provider is disputing a £2.6 million clawback and remains suspended from recruiting apprentices, FE Week can reveal. Prospects Training International, which trades as Geason Training and was bought by the Speedy group in December 2018, is challenging an Education and Skills Funding Agency investigation over alleged overpayments. […]

Colleges and independent FE providers have been flocking to support the government’s new Kickstart initiative by helping employers who could otherwise not take part get onto the placement scheme. FE Week spoke with the leaders of colleges and training providers to find out how they have got involved, and what benefits it holds for the […]

A former Skills Funding Agency manager has accused the government of “stalling” the training industry at a time of national crisis. Martin Taft, who is now the managing director of Midlands-based Springboard Training, said the suspension of the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP) in April has prevented new providers from offering support during the […]

The members of the Association of Colleges’ new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) steering group have today been revealed. The group (full list below) will be chaired by NCG group deputy principal Palvinder Singh and is currently developing an “action plan” to tackle discrimination across the further education sector. FE Week revealed the association had […]

Controversial £40 charges for the external quality assurance of apprenticeship endpoint-assessment will start being phased out as soon as October, it has been confirmed. The fees will end as the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education hands over EQA responsibility for over 300 apprenticeship standards to Ofqual. Federation of Awarding Bodies chief executive Tom Bewick […]

Colleges should be forced to surrender their powers to decide what courses they run to new, local FE directors, a report published today from a former adviser to education ministers has said. Think tank EDSK’s director Tom Richmond has today launched ‘Further consideration: Creating a new role, purpose and direction for the FE sector’, which […]