Nick Linford | FE Week

Consultation for two-levy payers but Chancellor George Osborne Budget blueprint ‘ticks boxes’

With the CITB having operated a training levy in the construction sector for half a century, it’s view of Chancellor George Osborne’s levy announcement on Wednesday (November 25) was formed of experience. Steve Radley outlines the CITB view of the Budget. Chancellor George Osborne’s Spending Review statement has provided more clarity on the government’s approach […]

Much-feared Budget looks positive for adult skills budget — but what could the new 19-plus FE loans mean?

Further education loans were extended to the 19+ age group in a positive-looking Spending Review that many feared could have spelled the end of adult skills funding — but key details are yet to be revealed and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills looks set for the chop. Protection of funding for the “core adult skills […]

Sector breathes a collective sigh of relief as Budget questions remain

Mark Dawe was, like many in FE and skills, hanging on Chancellor George Osborne’s every word as he delivered today’s Budget. This is what he made of the announcements. There will be an FE sector sigh of relief as 16 to 19 funding is protected, but only in cash terms, adult funding protected, again in […]

SFA names 14 providers whose funding contracts were terminated early

Fourteen training providers with combined allocations of nearly £6.9m in adult skills budget (ASB) and almost £5.8m for 16 to 18 apprenticeships had their contracts with the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) terminated early in 2014/15, it has been revealed. Of these providers named by the SFA on November 16, six had combined ASB and 16 […]

Lady Alison Wolf issues ‘headless chickens’ warning over Government’s 3m apprenticeship target

Government adviser Professor Lady Alison Wolf (pictured above) has admitted harbouring serious doubts about David Cameron’s 3m apprenticeship starts target labelling it “a big mistake”. She told the House of Lords Social Mobility Committee that the target meant Whitehall officials would be “rushing around like a headless chicken” to achieve it. She appeared before the […]

Network for Black and Asian Professionals chief executive Rajinder Mann blames ‘squeeze on the public purse’ for network’s demise

The loss of two key contracts worth £164,000 led directly to the demise of the Network for Black and Asian Professionals (NBAP), according to its chief executive Rajinder Mann (pictured above). Speaking exclusively to FE Week, Ms Mann (pictured above) said the loss of a contract with the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL), […]

Busy day at the Skills Show for Theo Paphitis with visit to the hairdressers and the kitchen — and even the operating table

Skills Show patron Theo Paphitis had a busy day in the hair salon today under the watchful eye of celebrity hairdresser Nicky Clarke and was also put to work in the kitchen knocking out some delicious pasta — he even tried his hand at an operating table. The former BBC Dragons’ Den star took part in a masterclass with the […]

Further education and skills sector bodies welcome Chartered Status membership

The Association of Colleges (AoC) and the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) have welcomed news that FE providers can finally sign up for Chartered Status. The Chartered Institution for Further Education (CIFE), which was granted the Great Seal of the Realm in October having been set up in 2013, announced on November 17 […]

High profile visit for Skills Show as Business Secretary Sajid Javid drops in on day one

Business Secretary Sajid Javid was joined by thousands of career curious youngsters today as he visited Birmingham for day one of the Skills Show. Skills Show patron Theo Paphitis [click here for his FE Week expert piece on the event] was another high profile visitor to the event which last year attracted more than 73,000 […]