Nick Linford | FE Week

It’s Brazil to lift the World Cup say FE and skills leaders in FE Week fundraiser

Brazilian magic will see the host nation lift the World Cup in just over a month’s time — that’s the overwhelming view of the FE and skills sector. Yes, Brazil, whose first game tomorrow night against Croatia will get the tournament under way, are the sector favourites to win the 2014 World Cup in Rio […]

Hugh Baird and Oldham colleges to open first Career Colleges as plans for at least ten more are announced

The first two Career Colleges have been announced, while plans for at least a further 10 next year — including four from Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMet) — were also revealed. Hugh Baird College, in Bootle, Merseyside, and Oldham College were both granted licenses from the Career Colleges Trust to open in September. They will run […]

Colleges and schools to put performance measures on website home pages

Colleges and schools will have to show key performance data on their website home pages under Department for Education (DfE) proposals that went out to consultation today. The at-a-glance post-16 measures will include students’ progress in academic subjects or Tech Levels as well as students’ average grades in each category. Colleges and school sixth forms would […]

Election countdown brings AELP call for more joined-up policy on youth unemployment

Greater integration of government policy on youth unemployment is among the priorities for the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) as outlined in its updated manifesto, released today. The document, out on the first day of the AELP’s two-day annual conference in London, takes stock of priorities and outlines key areas of sector debate […]

Ofsted calls time on privatised inspection regime for FE and schools

Ofsted inspections of FE and skills providers and schools will no longer be carried out by private contractors from September 2015. The education watchdog said it would not be renewing contracts with inspection service providers (ISPs), which are set to expire in August next year. The current contracts, with CfBT, Serco and Tribal, have run […]

Employers to fork out for a third of apprenticeship training as government tells bosses to pay providers for first time

Employers will be expected to pay a third of the provider costs for apprenticeship, it was announced today. The new, employer-led funding model for the first Trailblazers’ group has been issued for apprentices starting on or before July 31 next year — and it has been set at a maximum of £2 from the public […]

Bradford College goes internal for new chief after Bravo move blow

Bradford College Group has gone internal in its hunt for a new chief executive after Hampshire principal Anthony Bravo pulled out of the move north. Its current chief operating officer, Andy Welsh, is to take on the role from August. The announcement comes just weeks after Basingstoke College of Technology (BCot) principal Mr Bravo called […]

Seven-year wait for new FE and skills professional teaching standards is over

New guidelines for FE and skills teachers, lecturers and trainers have been issued by the Education and Training Foundation. A list of 20 “professional standards” — the first since 2007 — fills one side of A4, separated into three headings of values and attributes, knowledge and understanding, and skills. Among the professional practices listed are “evaluate […]

Author: Nick Linford