York College
‘apprenticeships’
Government’s recent apprenticeship reforms were well-intentioned but miscalculated, says Tom Richmond, co-author of today’s Policy Exchange report, ‘The skills we need, and why we don’t have them’. “No matter who I speak with, when I mention apprenticeships people react warmly.” So said Doug Richard in his review of apprenticeships back in 2012. This warmth ensures […]
Opinion
Government meddling has meant that students didn’t start on some apprenticeship standards for two years after they were launched. Using the latest Skills Funding Agency data FE Week examined the first standards given government sign-off in 2014. We found two had no starts at all in that academic year or in 2015/16, while low numbers […]
News
IPPR are wrong – employers do want to give 16-18-year-olds apprenticeships. The real problem is that schools won’t promote them and government won’t fund them, says Mark Dawe. A report has been published by an influential think tank that attempts to influence ministers based on a false premise: i.e. employers aren’t interested in offering 16- […]
Offenders will be able to work towards an apprenticeship while in prison for the first time under new plans put forward by the government. The new prisoner apprenticeship pathway, set to be introduced next year, is one of a number of proposals to reform prison education included in the Prison Safety and Reform white paper, […]
Campaigners hope overwhelming pressure has forced the government to clear the way for a u-turn over GCSE requirements for early years educator (EYE) apprenticeships, following the launch of a new consultation. It follows outrage when it was announced in September 2014 that EYE applicants would have to gain at least a C in maths and English […]
Your weekly guide to who’s new, and who’s leaving. Frank McLoughlin has been appointed associate director for leadership at the Education and Training Foundation. A registered charity, the ETF is a commissioning body serving the FE and training sector. Mr McLoughlin joins the organisation from his previous role as principal of City and Islington […]
Movers and Shakers
The government’s controversial plans to replace over 20,000 technical courses with 15 routes won’t lead to just 15 qualifications, a top civil servant has insisted. Warwick Sharp, the deputy director 16-19 strategy at the Department for Education, said it was a “myth” that the streamlining – which many in the sector worry is too drastic […]
The Technical and Further Education Bill is a good start, but it needs to address structural problems that will hold us back in world trade, says Shane Chowen. In the wake of the vote to leave the EU, the economic aftershocks are beginning to be felt. Economists still forecast a rise in unemployment – albeit […]
Fresh concerns have been raised about endpoint tests on apprenticeships, after an FE Week investigation found learners who will finish in March on a new standard without any officially approved awarding organisation. Global insurance company Aon has confirmed this to be the case for the first wave of students taking its level three insurance practitioner […]