Author: Nick Linford

Above, pictured from left: Professional cricketer Tom Poynton, Castus apprentice Laura Martin, aged 23, cricketer Wayne Madsen, Baroness Kennedy, Castus apprentice Alex Bellis, 21, Gary Hides, Castus senior manager, professional footballer Shaun Barker, and 3aaa owners Peter Marples and Di McEvoy-Robinson An independent learning provider rated as outstanding by Oftsed impressed high achieving apprentices and […]

Skills Minister Nick Boles (pictured) has announced a second consultation on outcome-based success measures having all but ruled out their use in a “payment by results system”. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) launched a three-month consultation in August on plans to add post-19 learner outcomes to qualification achievement as measures of success […]

Government claims to have overseen the two millionth apprentice start have been met with caution after Business Secretary Vince Cable conceded around one-in-four learners may not stay the course. Dr Cable announced the milestone figure, achieved during the course of this parliament, while on a visit to Oxford on Monday (December 8) to meet Paige […]

A Hampshire sixth form college principal has blamed falling learner numbers and local competition for financial problems forcing it to look at a merger. Totton College principal Mike Gaston (pictured) has announced the college will be seeking a partnership in the new year after Sixth Form College Commissioner Peter Mucklow (pictured below) warned it could not […]

Ofsted’s annual report today painted a mixed picture for FE and skills, highlighting a rise in the proportion of good or outstanding providers while also pointing to one-in-six learners at less than good providers. It said that in 2013/14, 3.2 million learners were at grade one or two providers because 81 per cent of providers […]

A new careers guidance report highlights today’s jobs that are set to stand the test of time and highlights trades that are likely grow in the years ahead. Technology-rich roles such as mechanical engineers and software developers are among 40 jobs highlighted by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) in its 36-page Careers […]

Ofqual has confirmed it is to remove the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) rules. The decision was confirmed today following a 12-week consultation and earlier review of the rules. The change is part of the qualification watchdog’s wider plans to “strengthen” vocational qualifications in England and Northern Ireland. The removal of the QCF rules, along […]