Green skills gold rush leaves safety and quality fears simmering
Ofsted has announced that apprenticeship unit providers will not face inspections until at least April 2027, granting the sector a year's respite to develop effective delivery models. The pause aims to allow providers time to establish robust frameworks before regulatory scrutiny resumes.
Ben Blackledge will remain in post to oversee Team UK's performance at the upcoming WorldSkills competition in Shanghai whilst taking up his new role at the vocational qualifications foundation. The appointment unites two major organisations in the further education and skills landscape.
A new report has highlighted the fragmented nature of England's post-16 education landscape and called for greater local government powers to create cohesive skills provision. The findings suggest that devolving decision-making could help streamline pathways from further education into employment for young people across different regions.