York College
‘apprenticeships’
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
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
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, […]
More than 700 employers will design 76 new apprenticeships in professions ranging from policing, the Armed Forces and TV production to welding and boat building, the Government has announced. It will bring the total number of employers involved in designing apprenticeships as part of the Government’s trailblazers scheme to more than 1,000. A Government spokesperson […]
The number of under-performing colleges and apprenticeship training providers should be halved by 2020, the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission has said. In its second State of the Nation report, the Commission, which is chaired by former Labour Cabinet Minister Alan Milburn (above), set out its “2020 challenge”, in which it sets out a […]
With around 900 apprentices left uncertain of their future following the administration of Phones 4U, Jane Byford considers the legal position for learners, and also providers, in such a situation. Although the economy is recovering and most businesses are gradually making their way out of the recession, the risk of going into administration still remains, […]
Apprenticeship funding reforms have been thrust back into the spotlight after government figures indicated the programme was heading for the second consecutive annual drop in the number of starts. Provisional data shows that in 2013/14 the number of all-age apprenticeship starts was 432,400, a 13 per cent fall from the comparable figures for 2012/13. Although […]
Jim Proudfoot looks at Ofqual plans for accreditation requirements. In order for a qualification to be offered in England it must have been accepted onto the Register of Regulated Qualifications to show that it is of a required standard and fit for purpose. Until now all these qualifications have had an “accreditation requirement”. This means […]
Skills Minister Nick Boles has admitted to being “nervous” about proposed employer cash contributions towards apprenticeship training costs. Addressing the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) autumn conference in Birmingham last week, Mr Boles acknowledged employers already contributed to their apprenticeship programmes in “a million ways”. And he said he was still considering whether […]
