Jude Burke | FE Week

Takeover planned for provider that slumped to ‘inadequate’

An independent training provider that has slumped two grades to ‘inadequate’ is trying to get taken over. Chesterfield-based NLT Training received the lowest possible grade across the board from Ofsted – down from ‘good’– in a report published today. Sarah Temperton, its chief executive, wants to be taken over by WEBS Training Ltd, a Nottingham-based […]

No sign of hoped-for levied apprenticeships surge in latest statistics

There is no sign of the major upturn in levied apprenticeships that the government has been praying for, according to the latest statistics. There were 13,910 commitments made through the apprenticeship service in October, down from 27,130 the previous month, the Department for Education has said. A fall-back is normal after the September surge – […]

Robert Halfon: Consolidate the UK’s ‘duplicated’ careers services

The Careers and Enterprise Company and the National Careers Service should be brought under a single umbrella to avoid duplication of resources, Robert Halfon has said. The former skills minister outlined his vision for a National Skills Service on the same day that his successor Anne Milton finally launched the government’s long-awaited careers strategy – […]

Is FE ready for the big apprenticeship frameworks switch-off?

The process of closing the old-style apprenticeship frameworks to new starts began in March 2016, but only those with few or no starts have so far been affected. That’s about to change, as two of the most popular frameworks – health and social care, and hospitality – are due to be withdrawn at the end […]

Anne Milton finally unveils much-delayed careers strategy

The long-overdue careers strategy has finally been unveiled by the apprenticeships and skills minister, at the Careers Development Institute’s annual conference this morning. This includes £4 million to support every school and college to have a careers leader, and a further £5 million funding to develop 20 careers hubs, which will be led by the […]

Ofsted Watch: Success for colleges but ITP rated ‘inadequate’

Two colleges have seen their grades go up to ‘good’ this week – but three previously uninspected providers haven’t fared so well, including one rated ‘inadequate’. KT Associates, an independent training provider, received the lowest possible grade across the board in a report published on December 1 and based on an inspection in October. Safeguarding […]

Large fall in advanced learner loan applications

Advanced learner loan applications are continuing to fall, according to new government statistics. Applications so far for 2017/18 are down 11,100 – or 17 per cent – on the same time last year. FE Week reported last month that final 2016/17 loan applications dropped across all age groups to which they were available in previous […]

Two thirds of apprenticeships ‘convert’ existing employees, report warns

Two thirds of apprenticeships are merely “converting” existing employees and could be certifying existing skills, rather than focusing on expanding expertise, a new report has warned. Researchers recommend that Ofsted inspections should check that these existing employees being converted into apprentices are actually learning new skills. ‘Better apprenticeships’, by social mobility foundation the Sutton Trust, […]

Tough new intervention trigger for FE Commissioner

The FE commissioner has new powers to trigger formal intervention, under tougher plans to enter colleges before they hit rock bottom. According to a new intervention policy, published by the Department for Education this morning, Richard Atkins will now be able to take formal action at a college that isn’t yet failing, but where a […]