York College
‘apprenticeships’
New Skills Funding Agency (SFA) chief executive Peter Lauener (pictured) has told of his concern for the future of a “growing number of colleges” running into financial difficulties, in an exclusive interview with FE Week editor Chris Henwood. Mr Lauener, appointed around the start of last month, outlined how “financial strategies” were key in the […]
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Government claims to have overseen the two millionth apprentice start have been met with caution after Business Secretary Vince Cable conceded around one-in-four learners may not stay the course. Dr Cable announced the milestone figure, achieved during the course of this parliament, while on a visit to Oxford on Monday (December 8) to meet Paige […]
Ofqual has been warned it needs an alternative system in place when it scraps the qualifications and credit framework (QCF). The qualifications watchdog confirmed on Monday (December 8) that, following a 12-week consultation launched in July, it would remove the QCF rules. The removal of the rules, along with the QCF bank of shared units, […]
The number of 16 to 18 apprenticeships offer from employers could fall as a direct result of proposed reforms, the House of Commons Education Committee has heard. A panel of sector experts told MPs on the committee that the government’s decision to re-design frameworks in consultation with employers and route funding through employers, rather than […]
A Hampshire sixth form college principal has blamed falling learner numbers and local competition for financial problems forcing it to look at a merger. Totton College principal Mike Gaston (pictured) has announced the college will be seeking a partnership in the new year after Sixth Form College Commissioner Peter Mucklow (pictured below) warned it could not […]
Ofsted’s annual report today painted a mixed picture for FE and skills, highlighting a rise in the proportion of good or outstanding providers while also pointing to one-in-six learners at less than good providers. It said that in 2013/14, 3.2 million learners were at grade one or two providers because 81 per cent of providers […]
Ofqual has confirmed it is to remove the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) rules. The decision was confirmed today following a 12-week consultation and earlier review of the rules. The change is part of the qualification watchdog’s wider plans to “strengthen” vocational qualifications in England and Northern Ireland. The removal of the QCF rules, along […]
Business Secretary Vince Cable was at Abingdon and Witney College to mark the “two millionth” apprentice. He met 16-year-old Paige McConville in Oxford, where she began her advanced apprenticeship in engineering manufacture with high-tech engineering firm, FMB Oxford in August. The Business Secretary also visited the college where Paige and her fellow apprentices study. Dr […]
England’s fourth national college will focus on digital skills and coding, it has been revealed. The National College for Digital Skills, which will begin working with part-time learners next year and open a new campus in London in 2016, will focus on higher apprenticeships and foundation degrees for learners over 18, with some provision for […]
