Fraser Whieldon | FE Week

Ofsted watch: Grade 3 confirmed for London’s mega-college

One of the largest college group’s in England had its grade three from Ofsted confirmed, in what was otherwise a varied week for further education. The result was for Capital City College Group’s first inspection since being formed from a merger of City and Islington College, Westminster Kingsway College, and The College of Haringey, Enfield […]

MOVERS AND SHAKERS: EDITION 309

Your weekly guide to who’s new and who’s leaving. Martin Tucker, Principal, Truro and Penwith College Start date: September 2020 Previous job: Director, Penwith College Interesting fact: He plays tennis and has played rugby at a high level. Andy Cole, Interim principal, Gateshead College Start date February 2020 Previous job: Principal, Kensington and Chelsea College Interesting […]

Popularity of vocational training in UK not reflected in funding

School leavers are favouring a vocational qualification over a more academic path, yet not enough cash is there for them, writes Sam Tuckett. Today’s 16-year-olds considering vocational pathways could be forgiven for feeling a little overwhelmed by the number of options presented to them when they finish school. This is now the position faced by […]

Controversial MBAs prove a hit in Whitehall departments

Whitehall is lapping up the MBA apprenticeship that the education secretary Gavin Williamson is “unconvinced” provides value for money, FE Week has found. The Department for Work and Pensions told this newspaper it had 86 on the controversial programme, including those in the application process, while the Ministry of Defence has 17, with seven being […]

T-levels ‘uniquely narrow’ compared to technical courses in high performing countries, claims think tank

A review into the “uniquely narrow and short” technical courses in England has been called for ahead of the introduction of T-levels this September. The Education Policy Institute think tank (EPI) made the recommendation in an international comparison of technical education funding systems, published today, which said this country’s 16 to 19 curriculum “remains an […]

Working together to create a sustainable apprenticeship system that unlocks talent, and supports businesses and the economy

A long-term vision for apprenticeships, the report from the Independent Apprenticeship Policy Group, sponsored by Pearson, was launched at the Annual Apprenticeship Conference today. Its independent Chair, Neil Carmichael, tells us more about the group, their intentions, and the key outcomes of the work. Apprenticeships have long been a bedrock of our education and employment […]

Further calls to target apprenticeship funding at the industrial strategy

Apprenticeship funding should be targeted at skills which fit the UK’s industrial strategy to combat growing pressures on the levy budget. That is according to the Independent Apprenticeship Policy Group (IAPG), which was chaired by former education select committee head Neil Carmichael and set up by education giant Pearson to create a long-term vision for […]

Restrict access to degree apprenticeship funding for adults, says shadow skills minister

Degree apprenticeships should only be fully-funded for people aged under 25, those without a first degree and in sectors with skill shortages, Labour’s shadow minister for further education has said. Emma Hardy, speaking on day one of FE Week’s sixth Annual Apprenticeships Conference, said she supports their expansion at higher education providers across the country, […]

Lack of levy funding for small employers debated in Parliament

A chair of a leading small business lobbying organisation has thrown cold water on hopes of a boost for non-levy apprenticeships in next month’s budget. Anthony Impey, who chairs the the federation’s skills and apprenticeships national policy group, told a debate in Parliament on Tuesday that he did not think the government would pay a […]