Fraser Whieldon | FE Week

Three-day strike at New College Swindon called off after 2% staff pay rise agreed

Strike action has been called off at New College Swindon after it agreed to a staff pay deal which includes a two per cent raise. Members of the University and College Union at the college were one of nine other colleges due to walk out for three days starting next Wednesday, in the third wave […]

MOVERS AND SHAKERS: EDITION 274

Your weekly guide to who’s new and who’s leaving. Sean Lyons, Chair of the board of governors, West Nottinghamshire College Start date: February 2019 Concurrent job: Management consultancy and property development Interesting fact: In his previous role as a senior vice-president in the steel industry, Sean commuted between England and Stockholm every week for five years. […]

Revealed: The 10 colleges in third wave of strike action over pay

UPDATE: The strike at New College Swindon has been called off after the union and the college agreed on a pay increase. Staff at ten colleges in England will go on strike over pay later this month, in the third wave of such action by the University and College Union. The walk-outs will take […]

Policy makers might call it an unintended consequence, but I call it a scandal

This week the Treasury confirmed that the apprenticeship fee – known as co-investment – will halve from 10 to 5 per cent from the start of April. Or to put it another way, the public subsidy for apprenticeships running at an average cost of £9,000 (according to the National Audit Office) will rise from 90 per cent (£8,100) to 95 per cent (£8,550). I was quick to […]

FE Week takes on charity cycle challenge with South and City College Birmingham

FE Week’s editor Nick Linford and publisher Shane Mann will be joining a team from South and City College Birmingham to cycle the 100-mile Velo Birmingham and Midlands and raise funds for the charity Cure Leukaemia. FE Week editor John Dickens and the principal of South and City College Birmingham Mike Hopkins will be two […]

Boss of charity behind the UTC programme to step down

The chief executive of the organisation that is behind the troubled university technical colleges programme is stepping down. Charles Parker, who has headed up the Baker Dearing Trust since 2012, will leave the top position in August. He’ll be replaced by Simon Connell, the trust’s current development director. The trust was set up by former […]

Apprenticeship framework certification boss steps down with immediate effect

The managing director of the Federation of Industry Sector Skills and Standards (FISSS) has stepped down with immediate effect, FE Week can reveal. Mark Froud has left the federation, which represents the 21 sector skills councils across England, after six years at the helm. In an email seen by FE Week, the FISSS independent chair […]

Second chair resigns from college group embroiled in financial scandal

The chair of the boards of governors for the troubled Hadlow College and West Kent and Ashford College has resigned with two other governors, FE Week can reveal. FE Week reported earlier this month the boards at The Hadlow Group, which controls both colleges, went into meltdown as serious governance failings and financial inexperience were […]

The truth about The Hadlow Group financial scandal

The Hadlow Group has hit the headlines following allegations of financial irregularities and the departure of several senior leaders and governors. Now, FE Week has learnt further details of issues which brought about the FE Commissioner and Education and Skills Funding Agency investigations, as well as the fallout from the controversy. Deputy CEO could face […]