York College
‘apprenticeships’
Two big guns in the further education and skills sector this week announced plans to step down. The fact that embargoed government statements on both were issued simultaneously made it look like a dumping operation – a rumour the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills was quick to scotch. Geoff Russell, chief executive of the […]
Opinion
The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) has confirmed its most recent report was drawn up using no new data or research. Proposals made in the Employer Ownership of Skills report were suggested by the 23 UKCES commissioners, of which three represent both further and higher education, and three represent small and medium-sized employers. […]
News
The government is proceeding with plans to reduce the national funding rate for 16 to 18 apprenticeships by another two per cent next year, despite under-spending by £15m in 2010/11. The rate reduction comes as youth unemployment continues to break records, which for 16 and 24 year-olds increased by 52,000 during the three months ending […]
Geoff Russell has announced that he will leave the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) this summer. Mr Russell (53), who will remain as chief executive at the Agency until the end of July, said his task “is complete” and “it is time to move on” when today revealing his decision to retire from the post he has […]
Simon Waugh is to step down as chief executive of the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS). The revelation follows a turbulent six months for the NAS, including a dramatic rise in the number of new apprentices aged over 25, as well as the launch of a review into the quality and duration of all apprenticeship schemes. It also […]
Professionals in the further education (FE) sector were overwhelmed by the amount of new technology being showcased on the first day of BETT Show 2012. The hybrid technology event, consisting of both a trade show and conference format, has always been focussed on schools, but made an attempt this year to cater for FE. Michael […]
Uncategorized
Apprenticeship schemes which misuse taxpayers’ money is to be debated by leading figures in the FE sector on ‘5 Live Investigates’. The programme, which will be broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live at 9pm this Sunday, includes interviews with a number of apprentices who have been left both out of pocket and without a qualification. […]
Call centre staff at a training provider have enrolled onto an apprenticeship programme to improve their skills. Twenty workers at Intraining, part of NCG (formerly Newcastle College Group) have also joined the programme so they can offer support to those inquiring about apprenticeships. Each apprentice will be “assigned two hours of assessment time and two […]
Simon Bartley’s school memories could have come straight out of an Enid Blyton novel. Educated from the age of eight at a Catholic boarding school in Lancashire, by the sounds of it, he enjoyed an idyllic childhood filled with tuck boxes and wholesome boyish pursuits. “There used to be a school train just like in […]
Profiles
