Author: Nick Linford

The prospect of industrial action looms over FE after the University and Colleges Union (UCU) backed a call to ballot for a national strike. At their national conference on Wednesday, union members agreed to the ballot if upcoming pay talks fell through. The motion described college employers as “making a historic bid to drive down […]

The head of the Association of Colleges has expressed concern over “low levels” of applications for 24+ advanced learning loans. Martin Doel, association chief executive, spoke out as the Student Loans Company (SLC) revealed 338 mature learners had applied for loans in the three weeks after the new payment’s launch on April 8. Just 75 […]

The government has been urged to “rethink” any plans to overhaul the apprenticeship system in line with the recommendations of former Dragons’ Den investor Doug Richard. The Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) warned against the introduction of plans outlined in The Future of Apprenticeships in England: Next Steps from the Richard Review, published […]

*Since publication of this story, the Department for Education has said that the figures indicating Kingston Maurward needed to improve were incorrect and apologised to the college. Three colleges have been ordered to improve after falling below the Education Funding Agency’s new minimum standards for key stage five. In the 2011/12 academic year, South Thames […]

The resignations of two members of the National Careers Council amid accusations that it was watering down recommendations to appease the government have been described as “regrettable”. Heather Jackson and Professor Tony Watts walked out around a month before its first report was due to be published. However, council chair Dr Deirdre Hughes said their […]

The government today announced a £2m apprenticeship bursary scheme for the early years profession. Learners aiming at a career in early education will be able to apply for a bursary worth up to £1,500, with a further £300 available for more training, from September. There will be up to 1,000 bursary places available. Elizabeth Truss, […]

The FE Guild is to be renamed the Education and Training Foundation, FE Week can reveal. The body, created to provide training and set professional standards in FE, has been registered at Companies House under the new name, said independent steering group chair David Hughes. Due to launch in August, it was incorporated on May […]