Rapid intervention for ‘underperforming’ FE colleges under Skills Strategy

By: Lindsay Plumpton

Communications Leader

Thursday 04 April 2013

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As part of the Government’s recently launched Skills Strategy, struggling colleges in England are set to face a tougher regime.

According to Skills Minister Matthew Hancock, there will be "swift and effective action" for colleges which are “failing learners.” Inspectors have found that there are 4% of colleges which fall into this category and have been identified as inadequate.

A Further Education commissioner will advise ministers on how to improve colleges and one measure might include the "administered college" status, where a college will have to surrender control of spending and assets. These colleges could also have their governing bodies replaced or dissolved.

In contrast, there will be a combined investment of £214m in 47 colleges, funding projects including a construction training centre and "automotive technology hub".

What do you think of the new measures? Do you have concerns? Will they help colleges to meet the new tough standards of rigour and responsiveness? Will they help colleges to equip our future workforce with the skills they need? Or does this kind of intervention simply undermine the authority of FE colleges?

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Authors

Lindsay Plumpton

Communications Leader
96 posts
David Grailey

Chief Executive
79 posts
Andrew Gladstone-Heighton

Policy Leader
75 posts
Esme Winch

Managing Director
35 posts
Michael Lemin

Policy and Research Manager
25 posts

Schools

Colleges

Training Providers

Employers

Learners

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