Nick Linford | FE Week

Early years education sector sees latest DfE U-turn on GCSE entry requirement

The government today revealed it had undertaken the latest in a series of early years educator (EYE) U-turns by dropping the GCSE entry requirement for level three classroom provision. The Department for Education (DfE) is going to allow learners who do not have grade C or above in English and maths to start and achieve […]

Frustration grows among providers as SFA apprenticeship website remains closed — three days after maintenance

UPDATE AT 8.24AM Friday, July 31: Apprenticeship vacancy matching service up and running (see foot of story) Frustration is growing as providers remain unable to access the apprenticeship vacancy matching service or post new adverts — three days after it should have reopened following maintenance. Provider access to the website which allows them to advertise […]

Team-mates offer key support, says gold-winning former WorldSkills UK cabinet maker

Young apprentices preparing to head for WorldSkills Sao Paulo 2015 in just over a week’s time have battled against hundreds of other competitors to earn their places among Team UK. But, former cabinetmaking competitor and WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 gold medal winner George Callow (pictured above) has advised this year’s contender crop to remember the most important […]

Former Newcastle College student found guilty of plotting campus mass murder

A former Newcastle College learner has been found guilty of plotting mass murder on campus. Liam Lyburd, aged 19, of Hamilton Place, Newcastle, admitted nine counts of making or possessing weapons and boasted during the four-day trial that buying the gun online was “like buying a bar of chocolate”. He denied eight charges of intending to use the weapons […]

Employers free to call anything they want an ‘apprenticeship’ — despite government plans for new laws to protect the brand

Employers have escaped the reach of a government clampdown on “misuse” of the word apprenticeship, it has emerged. Companies who run their own unfunded courses and label them ‘apprenticeships’ will continue to be able to deliver such programmes in less than a year without fear of a proposed Magistrates’ Court prosecution and fine. Even firms […]

Further education and skills represented in PM’s trade delegation to Singapore and Malaysia

The UK FE and skills sector is represented in a four-day trade delegation to Singapore and Malaysia led by Prime Minister David Cameron. The Association of Colleges (AoC), Newcastle-based Awarding organisation NCFE and provider Learning Curve have got representatives involved in the trip, organised by UK Trade & Investment North West (UKTI). Business Secretary Sajid Javid […]

Lib Dems announce education and business appointments

The Liberal Democrats have appointed their new spokespeople for education and business. Southport MP John Pugh will provide the party’s opposition to Education Secretary Nicky Morgan, while Lorely Burt — one of 48 Lib Dem MPs to have lost their seat in May’s General Election — will cover Business Secretary Sajid Javid’s brief. Just eight Lib Dem MPs held […]

Overseeing WorldSkills Brazil build-up — a Team UK training manager’s view

For many of Team UK’s 41 competitors getting ready for WorldSkills, the road to Brazil has been a long one. One year ago the competitors found out that their hard work in the regional and national competitions had paid off, and they had made it through to the squad. Then, following intensive training and for […]

Team UK competitors reveal WorldSkills Sao Paulo hopes

With just 13 days to go until WorldSkills opens in Sao Paulo Brazil, members of Team UK have revealed some of their thoughts and hopes for the gruelling competition that lies ahead. Starting on August 12, the 41 young people competing in 38 skills ranging from hairdressing to stonemasonry will have just four days to […]