Nick Linford | FE Week

MoJ pledges ‘urgent action’ after shocking regime of abuse uncovered at youth prison

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has pledged “urgent action” after inspectors visited a youth prison and uncovered a shocking regime “degrading treatment, racist comments and care from staff under the influence of illegal drugs”. Among the horrific incidents recorded at Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre, near Rugby, was a young person having to wait for 15 hours for treatment […]

Kwik Fit returns to outstanding status — but says ‘no plans’ to run traineeships again

Garage chain Kwik Fit today returned to its former outstanding status with publication of its latest Ofsted report, having previously dropped to a grade three rating. The employer provider, which had a January Skills Funding Agency allocation of £1.6m, had made “considerable improvements” since inspectors’ October 2013 visit, the result of which meant Kwik Fit had […]

New shadow challenger for Skills Minister Boles on DfE brief

Labour’s John Woodcock has replaced Yvonne Fovargue as Shadow Education Minister for Young People. The MP for Barrow and Furness, in Cumbia, and former Shadow Transport Minister announced the appointment on Twitter this morning, saying he was “really pleased to be returning to Labour’s front bench”. He takes on responsibility for 14 to 19 apprenticeships, vocational education, […]

Race is on for 3m apprenticeships

Apprenticeship target a ‘significant challenge’ The creation of 3m apprenticeships by 2020 is a “significant challenge” that can only be achieved with more funding and employer engagement, sector leaders have said. The Conservatives made the target acentral plank of their General Electionmanifesto.However, it would require a huge increase on the 2,208,100 apprenticeship starts over the five academic years from 2009/10 […]

Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna withdraws from Labour leadership race

Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna has dropped his bid to run the Labour Party, citing the “scrutiny and attention” of the leadership contest as behind his withdrawal. The MP for Streatham, seen as on the right of the party, has been critical of former leader Ed Miliband in the days after the crushing General Election […]

Javid — will he be Treasury stooge or FE friend?

Prime Minister David Cameron has appointed the Conservative MP Sajid Javid (pictured) as Business Secretary in his new majority government. He replaces Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat who held the post for the last five years until he lost his seat in Parliament on May 7. Reporter Freddie Whittaker delves into the background of the […]

An ‘optimist’s’ view of the next five years of government

Bill Lucas shares his “optimist’s” view of the five years of the next Parliamentary term. People who work in FE are resilient and resourceful. So despite the obvious financial challenges we will all face, I am confident that colleges, independent learning providers, universities, schools, charitable bodies, research agencies and anyone else involved in learning and […]

Skills Show organisers Find a Future on hunt for new chief executive

The chief executive of Skills Show organisers Find a Future Ross Maloney (pictured above) is to leave for the Scouts at the end of next month, it has been announced. Mr Maloney, who has overseen the Skills Show since its inception in 2012 and was the subject of an FE Week profile in June 2013, is returning […]

College leaders’ body reacts to Nicky Morgan’s reappointment as Education Secretary

The Association of School and College Leaders has reacted to news that Nicky Morgan will continue to serve as Education Secretary under the new Conservative majority government. Ms Morgan, who replaced Michael Gove in the job last July, was re-elected as MP for Loughborough on Thursday with an increased majority as the Conservatives stormed to […]