FE Week 500: Further education doesn’t stand still, and nor will we In a sector too often overlooked, FE Week has stood firm, independent, impartial and committed to great journalism. That’s what 500 editions have been about
No podium without pipeline: Formula 1 offers unlikely blueprint to tackle skills divide Alice Gardner distils lessons from F1’s proactive education partnerships for the rest of the skills sector
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
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
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 access and business growth, writes Alan Vallance
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
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 retention
DfE toughens up on ITP contract sanctions New contracts expand termination danger from ‘inadequate’ to ‘requires improvement’ training providers
Leaders quit as Furness College continues recovery The principal will leave in October and the chair has been replaced by a former deputy FE commissioner