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‘apprenticeships’

FE loans blamed for “collapse” in number of older people on level three and four courses

Urgent government action is required after FE loans caused a “collapse” in the number of older people taking level three and four courses, the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (Niace) has claimed. Latest figures released this week by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) showed there were 15,330 applications in September for […]

News

The FE Wolf at the Lords’ door

Professor Alison Wolf, the influential academic who authored the government’s 2011 report on vocational education, is one of just four people to have been given a coveted life peerage by the Prime Minister in this Parliament, and will soon join the ranks of Peers as a cross-bencher without party political affiliation. As she prepares to […]

News

Accounts committee looks at Dfe participation record

A sector leader has called for “coherence” in government’s approach to improving participation of 16 to 18-year-olds in education and training after a key committee announced an inquiry into the issue. Stewart Segal, chief executive of the Association of Employment and Learning Providers, welcomed news the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) would begin to examine participation […]

News

Colleges tell MPs of apprenticeship funding reform fears

Further education colleges have added their voices to a growing list of sector organisations warning apprenticeship funding reforms could put employers off the programme and result in falling numbers. In written evidence to the House of Commons Education Select Committee (pictured right), which will hold the first hearing of its inquiry into 16 to 19 […]

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Keep it simple on grading

Government reforms to apprenticeships go further than simply how the programme is funded and looked to include the introduction of a new grading system. Stewart Segal explains his concerns about these grading changes. We raised a number of concerns about grading from the first recommendations following the 2012 report of Doug Richard. While we welcome […]

Opinion

A U-turn — or simply listening?

Skills Minister Nick Boles told FE Week that he was willing to allow some apprenticeship to be graded as simply pass or fail, despite reforms seeming to have been heading in the direction of a pass, merit or distinction system. Iain Mackinnon explains why he welcomed the move. he maritime sector has been one of […]

Opinion

Four education policy principles to stick to

The 157 Group’s latest report, Future Colleges, outlines four principles it wants those in power to adhere to in determining education policy, as Lynne Sedgmore explains. At the 157 Group, we know about the excellent work that colleges, both our members and others, are doing every day across the country to enable learners to acquire […]

Opinion

EFA boss Lauener to head up SFA

Peter Lauener is to take over as chief executive of the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) — while continuing to head up the Education Funding Agency (EFA), the government announced this afternoon. He will take up the new role on Monday, November 3, replacing interim chief executive Keith Smith (pictured right). A government statement said Mr Lauener […]

News

Boles makes U-turn on apprenticeship grading

New apprenticeship frameworks will no longer be forced to include pass, merit and distinction gradings, the Skills Minister has revealed. Skills Minister Nick Boles told FE Week he would be assessing whether apprenticeships should be graded on a “case by case” basis. The U-turn by the new Minister follows “very strong representations” by the sector, […]

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