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15 April 2026

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Westminster Education Forum – Over 100 UTCs by next election, says Lord Baker

England could have more than 100 University Technical Colleges (UTC) up and running by the next general election, according to Lord Baker of Dorking. “We’re going to have a considerable number of UTCs over the course of the next few years,” Lord Baker said. “Possibly, by the next election, more than 100 will be approved…and […]

Westminster Education Forum – NAS to drive out poor quality and rogue providers

The chief executive of the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) has warned “all will be lost” if the sector fails to tackle poor quality apprenticeships. “In terms of quality, it’s all very well to gain market share, and grow the programme, and grow it to record numbers, but if we’re undermining the prestige and the view […]

Colleges working harder than ever to help unemployed, say AoC

Colleges provide training for more than 1000 unemployed people each year, according to a report by the Association of Colleges (AoC). The research, conducted by the AoC in November 2011, found that 95 per cent of colleges offer provision for unemployed people. A further 64 per cent responded saying they had improved their provision to […]

Further 19 colleges to benefit from Enhanced Renewal Grant

More than a dozen colleges who missed out in the share of £100 million worth of capital funding have been handed a lifeline. Skills Funding Agency chief executive Geoff Russell has written to 19 colleges that applied for the Enhanced Renewal Grant advising them that the Agency, in agreement with BIS, is now able to […]

Ofsted to launch consultation on ‘satisfactory’ grade for colleges

Ofsted is to consult on replacing the ‘satisfactory’ grade with ‘requires improvement’ for FE colleges. Matthew Coffey, national director of learning and skills at Ofsted, said: “Sir Michael Wilshaw, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, announced on 17 January 2012 his intention to scrap the ‘satisfactory’ grade for school inspections and to replace it with ‘requires improvement’. “The […]

New register launched

The new Register of Training Organisations has been launched. It follows an extensive review and evaluation of the former Approved College and Training Organisations Register (ACTOR) during 2011. All organisations that wish to be considered for funding to deliver Education and Vocational Training Services, including European Social Funding and Apprenticeships will needto complete the Due […]

IfL begins work on commission into adult education and vocational training

The Institute for Learning (IfL) has announced a research project to help the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) prepare for an independent commission into adult education and vocational training. The institute wants 100 of its members to complete “reflective diaries” which explain how they plan for classes, meet curriculum requirements and the needs of […]

Success rates are due

The Young People’s Learning Agency (YPLA) will publish 2009/10 school and academy 16-19 qualification success rates on February 2. The 16-19 success rates show, at a headline level, the proportion of young people that start a qualification in an institution and achieve it by the end of the required period of study. This measure has […]

Merger plan unveiled

A consultation is underway for the proposed merger of Lewisham and Southwark Colleges. The document sets out an “exciting and radical vision for a college of the future” in south-east London. It adds: “Lewisham and Southwark Colleges firmly believe that by working together we will be able to get more local people into work and […]