further education | FE Week

Government meddling blamed for 2 year apprenticeship delays

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 […]

Education secretary commits to focusing ‘much more’ on FE

A firm commitment has been made by education secretary Justine Greening to “focus much more” on FE. She made the encouraging comments during a speech at an event in London today to celebrate the Education Endowment Foundation’s fifth anniversary. Ms Greening admitted that the government had “for a long time” focused mainly on improving academic […]

Carmichael backs more FE investment as he rejects new grammars

New grammar schools have been rejected by influential education select committee chair Neil Carmichael, who called instead for more investment in the “much neglected” FE sector. The Tory MP (pictured) said in a new blog for conservativehome.com it would be wrong of the government to lift the ban on these selective secondary schools, with the intention […]

Consultation sparks hope for early years educator apprenticeships u-turn

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 […]

Kensington and Chelsea College principal resigns with immediate effect

The principal of Kensington and Chelsea College has resigned with immediate effect, FE Week can reveal. Staff at the college were informed of Mark Brickley’s departure on Monday (October 31), after his resignation was accepted by the corporation the previous Friday (October 28). A spokesperson for the college would only say that Mr Brickley had […]

Race on to approve assessors in time for apprentices finishing in March

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 […]

Student focus for Sir Vince Cable’s FE comeback

An FE comeback for Sir Vince Cable will see him lead a new research project for the National Union of Students into how major reforms coming for the sector should be tailored for learners. The former business secretary, who told Liberal Democrats’ conference delegates two years ago that he was responsible for blocking moves in […]

Special Westminster debate on apprenticeship cuts tomorrow

A special Westminster Hall debate called by campaigning MP David Lammy into FE Week’s exclusive revelations on apprenticeship funding cuts takes place tomorrow morning. The debate approved by the House of Commons Backbench Business Committee, which will run from 9.30am until 11am, will see apprenticeship and skills minister Robert Halfon answering tough questions on the […]

Cost of Digital Apprenticeship Service revealed

The government expects to spend at least £12.5m on delivering its new Digital Apprenticeship Service, FE Week can reveal. The budget will cover both costs to the Skills Funding Agency and suppliers of services such as web development and user research, according to the Department for Education. A DfE spokesperson told FE Week: “The cost of building […]