Opinion

Constant rule changes are undermining apprenticeship improvement

While reform is necessary, its relentless pace is undermining stability, damaging improvement and eroding trust, argues Lou Doyle

Shane Chowen
Louise Doyle
Apprenticeships, Skills reform

Nine in ten level 7 apprentices will be ineligible for funding, new figures reveal

Under-22s, who can still be funded, made up 11 per cent of level 7 apprenticeship starts last year

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Opinion

Capping level 7 apprenticeships at age 21 doesn’t add up

Funding for over-21s on level 7 apprenticeships is being axed in January – but the age cap risks damaging...

Shane Chowen
Alan Vallance
Apprenticeships, Politics, Skills reform

Level 7 apprenticeship funding to be axed from January 2026

DfE also announces 'priority' bootcamp funding for next year and confirms apprenticeship budget increase to over £3bn

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
News

Phillipson adds £190m to 16-19 funding rise

Funding rates for 16-19 education will rise even further in September, with extra funds earmarked for staff recruitment and...

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Adult education, Apprenticeships

DfE toughens up on ITP contract sanctions

New contracts expand termination danger from ‘inadequate’ to ‘requires improvement’ training providers

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Colleges

Leaders quit as Furness College continues recovery

The principal will leave in October and the chair has been replaced by a former deputy FE commissioner

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Colleges

In-demand FE teachers share £34m of retention cash

Teacher incentives are 'helpful but a sticking plaster' says principal

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen
Colleges

Colleges’ share of £50m pay rise cash revealed

In-year grants have been calculated using 16-19 funding as a baseline

Shane Chowen
Shane Chowen