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‘legit’

A new focus for governors in a new era

On the first day, conference chair Professor Bill Lucas and Exeter College principal Richard Atkins talked about the sector’s renewed focus on teaching and learning. Delegates also heard  more about the new Ofsted common inspection framework from senior inspector Beverley Barlow. They also took part in interactive and workshop sessions. The major theme of the […]

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Value of new FE quality kitemark questioned

Sector bosses have called into question the “worth” of a new quality marker launched by FE Minister Matthew Hancock. Sir Geoff Hall, chair of the Information Authority, asked if chartered status for top providers was “worth doing”. His query came during a workshop at an Association of Colleges conference, on information and accountability in FE. […]

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‘Focus on job skills not league tables’

Government plans to introduce new post-16 performance tables for level three vocational qualifications have come under fire from the boss of a leading awarding organisation. The Department for Education has launched a consultation on the plans in which only around one-tenth of nearly 4,000 qualifications currently offered to 16 to 19-year-olds would be counted in […]

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LEPs get go-ahead to grant charter status

The government has given Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) “sign-off” on granting colleges and training providers chartered status. Skills Minister Matthew Hancock told FE Week that LEP approval was needed for providers to be given the stamp of quality. His decision has been criticised by the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP), which said it […]

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SFA takes tougher line on charges

The Skills Funding Agency has “hardened it’s position” on fees charged to fully-fund- ed learners over 19. Kirsty Evans, director of funding policy at the agency, told delegates at Lsect’s autumn finance conference held at Morley College on November 6, that it now tried to avoid “might” in its documents, using “must” and “have to” […]

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Exclusive interview with BIS committee’s chair

With the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee report highlighting a number of apprenticeship issues, FE Week deputy editor Chris Henwood met chairman Adrian Bailey MP to discuss where he thinks the government is getting it wrong. Are you critical of the government’s aims on apprenticeships? The government has interpreted this programme as being a […]

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Subcontracting probe uncovers ‘poor value for money’ management fees

An Ofsted probe into subcontracting has uncovered lead contractors charging management fees “as a way of generating income for doing little work”. The Ensuring Quality in Apprenticeships report highlights how subcontractors felt they were getting “poor value for money” from management fees and reveals many lead contractors were overcharging according to Skills Funding Agency (SFA) […]

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Dozens of providers exempt from rule

Forty providers are exempt from funding rules that ban introductory apprenticeships where more than 10 per cent of learners are out of work, FE Week can reveal. The 40 were over the limit before its introduction this year and so were told to carry on — although they have been ordered to try to hit […]

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Government figures reveal a ten per cent fall in 16-18 apprenticeships

The government has conceded that under 19 apprenticeships were proving a “major challenge” after official figures showed a 10 per cent fall in the number of starts. The number of 16 to 18-year-olds who started apprenticeships in the final quarter of the last academic year dropped 5,200 from the previous year to 22,000. The figures, […]

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