Government acts on ‘conflict of interest’

The government has set up a Skills Funding Agency-led review to look into the issue of potential conflicts of interest where awarding organisations also deliver education, FE Week can reveal.

Ofqual, the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) are also on board in a task and finish group set up to look at joint ownership.

It was set up following a BIS Select Committee report on apprenticeships in November that said the government should look “critically upon this serious issue [joint ownership].”

“We accept that the practice of joint ownership is not unusual but learner experience is key and should not be put in jeopardy by conflicts of interest,” said the committee report.

Ofqual was already investigating the issue and a spokesperson said last year it would be “saying more about our thinking in due course”.

If necessary, sanctions can be put in place to ensure provision and the brand is not compromised”

However, the government’s response to the report said the agency would also be investigating.

“A task and finish group is being convened which is being led by the SFA and will include Ofqual, NAS and BIS,” said the government response, issued on Friday, January 25.

“The work will start with a review of those awarding organisations, predominantly, where there are instances of vertical integration with a training arm in order to understand what protocols and, if necessary, sanctions can be put in place to ensure provision and the brand is not compromised.”

The 11-month select committee review of apprenticeships recommended a host of changes, including “closer scrutiny, careful monitoring or even complete reform”.

It called for an “overarching government strategy and clear purpose for the apprenticeship programme,” along with a “formal” definition of apprenticeship.

It recommended a simplified funding system and a review of profit levels among training providers.

“The apprenticeship programme needs clarity, oversight and, in these straightened times, to demonstrate that it is providing value for money,” said committee chairman Adrian Bailey MP.

“There are many areas that require closer scrutiny, careful monitoring or even complete reform.”

The government said it agreed with many of the committee’s recommendations and had taken action, including asking entrepreneur and former Dragons’ Den investor Doug Richard to look into apprenticeships.

His findings, published in November, would be looked at, said a government spokesperson, and a consultation on implementing his recommendations would launch in the spring.

The spokesperson further said government strategy on apprenticeships was clarified in the 2010 Skills Strategy — Skills for Sustainable Growth and 2011 New Challenges New Chances.

“With a small number of specific exceptions, all apprentices must be employed, and working towards the completion of a recognised apprenticeship framework,” they said.

The apprenticeship system had also been made clearer, they added, with an apprenticeships website (www.apprenticeships.org.uk).

“The system helps individuals to understand apprenticeships better and search through vacancies,” said the spokesperson.

“It also enables employers and learning providers to advertise vacancies to a wide range of applicants.”

They added: “The agency and NAS monitors all aspects of the take-up and quality of apprenticeships and will continue to take action to ensure the apprenticeships offer meets the needs of employers and learners.”

Meanwhile, the committee’s call for government to take a more “active approach” to reviewing profit levels among providers elicited a positive response.

“The agency collects the annual financial statement of training providers as part of its risk management processes,” said the government spokesperson.

“Training providers may derive their income from different sources, however, where those financial statements imply that profits derive from agency programmes are unusually high, the agency will review delivery with the training provider to establish whether there is any risk to the efficient use of funding.”

‘Gifted’ student’s videogame to be turned into a franchise

A media student who taught himself computer programming was “shocked” when technology giant Sony wanted to turn his game into a franchise.

Liam Cozens, 17, who studies BTec media production at Canterbury College, spent a year putting together his 3D downloadable game Robots: Extreme Wars Live.

His game was inspired by the TV show Robot Wars, which ended in 2004 and where contestants pitted homemade robots against each other in an arena full of hazards.

Robots: Extreme Wars Live allows players to relive the game this, battling robots of different shapes and sizes in a variety of arenas.

Liam said: “Funnily enough, I’m not much of a gamer but I did watch the Robot Wars TV show when it was on and played some of the spin-off games. I decided to see if I could make a better version myself and that was how I got started.”

When the game was finished, Liam approached the website for Roaming Robots, a touring spin-off of the TV series.

The website producers had wanted to develop a game for years, and were impressed by Liam’s version.

The game was launched for PCs and Macs in October and has proved popular, but Liam never imagined this was only the beginning.

Much to his surprise, Sony contacted him to say they were interested in developing the game for other platforms, meaning Liam could see his game being played on Sony’s multi-million selling console, PlayStation or the PSP handheld device.

He said: “I was shocked when Sony got in touch. When I was making the game I thought it might make a minor impact and then
fade away.”

Sony has also asked him to continue developing the game, creating extra levels which can then be downloaded by players.

The interest from Sony was surprising for Liam as he’s never done anything like this before. In order to create the game, Liam first had to teach himself how to write computer programmes from scratch, using books and internet tutorials.

“Just learning the basics of programming took me two months,” he said.

Following the success of his first game, he is now considering specialising in game development as part of his BTec.

Zoran Tesic, head of Canterbury College’s media department, said: “This is excellent and we are very proud of Liam’s achievement. He is currently studying a creative diploma and is thinking about specialising in games development next year.

“We are excited to work with such a gifted and motivated student and that we are able to help him progress in his education and push his games development skills and career even further.”

Visit www.roamingrobots.co.uk to find out more about Robots: Extreme Wars Live.

SFA chief visits new development

Musically-minded Midland students met the boss of UK adult learning when she dropped by to see college developments first hand.

Kim Thorneywork, Skills Funding Agency interim chief executive, visited West Nottinghamshire College to see how work was progressing on a £24m revamp, including a state-of-the-art centre for creative arts and digital technologies called Create.

She also spoke to students, staff and governors at several college sites across Mansfield and Ashfield.

Ms Thorneywork said: “I’m incredibly impressed by the progress the college has made in refurbishing and rebuilding its estate.

“West Notts College has a very clear vision for its future. It’s got a clear focus on what it is doing for local employment and its communities and is absolutely driving forward on these agendas.”

The college’s Kirkby-in-Ashfield-based construction academy came in for special praise, described by Ms Thorneywork as having “a real buzz”.

She added: “There are many young people learning excellent skills there and I was very impressed.”

Principal Asha Khemka OBE said: “It was an honour to show Kim how we’re investing in new buildings and high-quality facilities to enhance the learning experience.”

Hairdressing student is streaks ahead

An award-winning young London stylist has been given the chance to show she’s a cut above the rest by passing on her skills to younger students.

Croydon College hairdressing and beauty therapy student Hannah-Corrine Patterson, 19 and from Brockley, was chosen to run workshops for Year 11 youngsters at Norbury Manor Business and Enterprise College for Girls, in Surrey, after winning a college award for commitment to learning.

The five-week program of hairdressing-related learning activities was designed to engage younger students with vocational training, as well as allowing Hannah-Corinne to gain teaching skills.

She said: “When I first started I was very nervous, but over the weeks I built up my confidence and I now don’t want it to end.

“The pupils have really come a long way and I am very pleased to have had this opportunity.”

Priceless industry insight for learners

Young musicians and producers were all ears when top music industry experts gave talks as part of a two-day networking event at a London college.

MTV music editor Lindsay Wesker, Choice FM DJ Dave VJ and world music artist Najma Akhtar spoke to music and media students at Kensington and Chelsea College about the changing face of music, their own careers and how to get ahead in the industry.

Lindsay told students they needed a strong knowledge of music, its history and how record companies worked and to make sure as artists they were offering something different.

Meanwhile Akhtar urged them to broaden their horizons by exposing themselves to music from different cultures.

Paul Hall, the college’s head of music and media, said: “It is a real privilege to have such well-known and respected names from the industry take time out to meet the next generation of talent.

“Our students not only had the opportunity to network with our influential guests, but also gained the kind of advice you just can’t put a price on.”

Celebs drop in for Walsall fashion week

A Midland student bucked the trend by becoming the first at her college to put on a fashion week.

Chloe Adcock, a business student at Walsall College, came up with the idea after staging a few smaller fashion shows for a local clothes store. She teamed up with fellow student Dermot McNamara and the pair successfully hosted a six-day charity event featuring catwalk shows, style advice, hair and beauty demonstrations and an exhibition of vintage fashion, plus celebrity guest appearances.

Chloe, who has also set up her own modelling agency, said: “I eventually want to go into event management and this is a great way of getting work experience.

“I also realised that there has never been an event like this in Walsall so thought it would be a great way to bring the community together and showcase the talent of young local designers.”

Fashion students from the college styled models backstage and showed visitors how to customise clothes while funds were raised for a different charity each day including Acorns Children’s Hospice and Action for Children.

Students put on a show for local ice hockey team

Performing arts students were literally dancing in the aisles at a Midland ice hockey match after being asked to provide the interval entertainment.

Students from City College Coventry, which sponsored the match between local outfit Coventry Blaze and the Hull Stingrays, provided live entertainment for the evening.

Music students warmed up the crowd in the bar before the match and student Lauren McAuley sang the national anthem to mark the 5.15pm face-off.

And dance students performed a specially-choreographed routine in the stands at half time, while tutors braved the ice to take part in a fun relay.

Adrian Middup, course organiser for the level three extended diploma in music, said: “Teaming up with Coventry Blaze gave us the chance to offer exciting opportunities to students on a range of courses and it was great to see each individual grab them with both hands.

“They learned a lot on the evening and we can now build on it in class.”

Maths whizzes find formula for success

One silver and three bronzes added up to success for a team of brainboxes taking part in a prestigious competition held by the UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT).

Macclesfield College AS Level maths students took part in the UKMT senior challenge, where competitors had 90 minutes to answer 25 multiple choice questions under exam conditions.

Gold prizes were awarded to the top 10
per cent of entrants, while the next 20 per cent achieve silver and the next 30 per cent gain bronze.

Of the five students from Macclesfield College in the competition, one was awarded silver and three were awarded bronze.

Macclesfield College maths lecturer David Mayers said: “This is the first time the college has entered the competition and I’m really proud of all our participating students who performed exceptionally well.”

The UKMT is a charity that aims to advance the education of children and
young people in maths and its competitions are the largest in the UK with 600,000 students taking part.

Medium rare opportunity for art students

A former steakhouse has been transformed into a gallery space for young artists to display their raw talent and most well done pieces.

Art and design students from Havering College of Further and Higher Education, in Essex, have adapted the empty Outback Steakhouse in The Brewery Shopping Centre, Romford, to house an exhibition examining the theme Sense of Place.

Students were encouraged to explore their feelings about Romford and to use things which used to be in the restaurant to create their work.

The Outback Art House will display work by the students as well as by local artists, and will be installed, curated and marketed by the students.

Grace Thomas, 18, from Chadwell Heath, said: “It was strange to think we were creating art in a former restaurant, but it made you think about how venues can make a difference to how people view your work.”

The project is run by the college and the Romford Contemporary Arts Programme, a Havering Council initiative to promote contemporary artists, and will run until Saturday, February 16.