Opinion

Skills Show challenge laid down by former BBC Dragons’ Den investor Theo Paphitis

The Skills Show gets under way on Thursday (November 19) at NEC Birmingham and celebrity entrepreneur Theo Paphitis wants…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
Opinion

‘Marketing for a college also promotes the wider FE cause’

Competitive marketing between neighbouring colleges was criticised by FE Commissioner Dr David Collins when he wrote to principals and…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
Opinion

Thinking up a future for FE and skills

The FE and skills sector has never been more in need of clear-minded leadership and focus. Ayub Khan outlines…

Nick Linford
Nick Linford
Opinion

Tighter control of finances wins Dr Collins’ approval

The FE Commissioner was sent in to Stratford-Upon-Avon College after the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) rated its financial health…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
Opinion

A colleges’ eye view of the Spending Review

A three-year funding cycle was one of the key proposals in the AoC’s submission on the Spending Review, explains…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
Opinion

The Indy Scene: Edition 153

When high street jeweller Gerald Ratner famously rubbished one of his products a few years ago, his ill-judged comments…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter


Opinion

A parent’s experience of college enrolment

As a marketing expert, Ruth Sparkes found the job of helping her offspring find the right FE institution an…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
Opinion

Listening to community learning learners

Last month marked my first decade in FE. This time 10 years ago I’d just about finished my induction…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
Opinion

‘There is a distinction to be made between the level of an apprenticeship and the quality of that apprenticeship’

Employers are the ultimate test of whether Sir Michael Wilshaw’s criticisms of apprenticeships were justified — and Pippa Morgan…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
Opinion

Ofsted apprenticeship report ‘tactics’ branded ‘damaging’

Stewart Segal hits back at Ofsted’s recent report that was critical of apprenticeships. After all the damaging headlines that…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
Opinion

Size matters in qualification reform

The challenges facing the FE and skills sector are not just being experienced by providers — awarding organisations (AOs)…

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter
Opinion

The case against end-tests in apprenticeships

Judging an apprentice’s skill and knowledge through an end-point assessment is an approach fraught with issues, explains Simon Reddy….

FE Week Reporter
FE Week Reporter