Nick Linford | FE Week

Court appearance and fine could await providers who run fake apprenticeships

The shame of an appearance at the local Magistrates’ Court along with a fine would be the future for ‘apprenticeship’ providers who do not have the official seal of approval, under government proposals revealed today. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has launched its three-week consultation aimed at outlawing use of the term ‘apprenticeship’ […]

Lords committee acts to address ‘too little attention’ given to young people who got their job through FE

The House of Lords Social Mobility Committee has heard from a number of figures related to education and training across its three evidence sessions so far. It has now launched a call for evidence from the very 14 to 24-year-olds at heart of its investigation, explains Lady Corston. In recent weeks, it has been reported […]

AELP urges government to ‘wait three or four years’ before bringing in apprenticeship levy

The Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) has warned the government to hold off introducing its apprenticeship levy for “three or fours years”, urging it to build capacity first. Chancellor George Osborne unveiled his plans at last month’s summer budget. The revenue raised from the large employer payments will go towards funding all post-16 apprenticeships […]

SFA ‘in range’ of BIS review commissioned by Business Secretary Sajid Javid

The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) is subject to an “efficiency and effectiveness” review that is looking at all bodies funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), FE Week understands. It was this afternoon reported by the Guardian that consultancy McKinsey had been commissioned by Business Secretary Sajid Javid (pictured above) to undertake […]

Former WorldSkills bronze medallist Ben hoping to help drive Team UK to Sao Paulo success

A former WorldSkills competitor has advised this year’s contenders to keep calm and carry on as they begin their two-week countdown to representing the UK in Brazil. As the 41-strong team makes its final preparations in the 336 hours left before the competition kicks off at Anhembi Park, Sao Paulo, former car painting competitor Ben […]

Employer jailed over tragic death of 16-year-old apprentice as SFA looks into ‘implications of case’

An employer has been jailed for eight months over the death of an untrained 16-year-old boy who became trapped in a factory lathe he was left to operate on his own just a month into his apprenticeship. Cameron Minshull died after his oversized workwear became entangled with a computerised numeric lathe (CNL) at Huntley Mount […]

SFA to close payment system for move to ‘new supplier’ making provider data deadline impossible

Providers offering Trailblazer apprenticeships are in a race against time to submit their learner numbers after the deadline shifted four days closer with the Skills Funding Agency having decided to close the Hub. The twelfth monthly Individualised Learner Record data return window for 2014/15 for the new employer-designed programmes was meant to close at 6pm […]

FE providers ‘design and deliver their own quals’ in proposed new ‘sub-degree’ technical skills system

A report out today calls for a new system of accrediting “sub-degree technical education” in which FE colleges and independent learning providers can “design and deliver their own qualifications”. Dr Scott Kelly, in his report entitled Raising productivity by improving higher technical education: Tackling the level four and level five conundrum, said the new system […]

A principal’s view upon closer FE Commissioner inspection

Jo Pretty reflects on a challenging first year in the job after FE Commissioner Dr David Collins recognised the “good start” made by her leadership team as it tries to turn around precarious college finances. When I found myself in my new role as principal my direction was clear — I had to stabilise a £15m […]