FE News Roundup: 22 January 2026

Here’s your daily roundup of the latest news from the Further Education sector.

Ofqual seeks to regain oversight powers for T Level technical qualifications to boost quality standards

The education regulator Ofqual has launched a consultation proposing to restore its accreditation powers over T Level technical qualifications, a move it claims will enhance the “long-term credibility” of England’s flagship technical education courses. Under the proposals, technical qualifications taught from September 2028 would need to meet Ofqual’s accreditation standards, giving the regulator authority to reject qualifications that fall short of requirements.

This represents a significant reversal of previous policy changes that saw Ofqual’s role in T Level oversight gradually reduced. When T Levels launched in 2020, Ofqual initially held accreditation powers, but these were transferred to the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education in 2021, before being removed entirely in 2023. Following the abolition of IfATE last year and the transfer of its responsibilities to the Department for Education, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has now given Ofqual the green light to reclaim these powers.

Ofqual argues that reinstating accreditation requirements will provide crucial quality safeguards and ensure consistent delivery standards across T Levels. The regulator emphasizes that this approach would align T Level oversight with its existing methodology for A Levels, potentially strengthening the overall credibility and standing of technical qualifications in the education landscape.

Government launches major four-year trial of AI and education technology across English schools and colleges

The Department for Education is set to invest £23 million in an ambitious four-year pilot program testing artificial intelligence and educational technology tools across more than 1,000 schools and colleges throughout England. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced the expansion at the BETT UK conference, describing it as an opportunity to put cutting-edge technology “through their paces in the cut and thrust of classrooms across the country.” The program builds on a previous nine-month pilot that tested innovative edtech tools in educational settings.

Starting in September, the expanded pilot will rigorously analyze how AI and technology tools impact student outcomes, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, while also measuring effects on teacher workload. Phillipson emphasized the government’s commitment to gathering “genuine evidence about what’s working” to identify the most effective technologies that can be rolled out more widely. The initiative has already generated significant industry interest, with over 280 expressions of interest received from edtech companies wanting to participate in the scheme, highlighting the sector’s enthusiasm for demonstrating the transformative potential of their educational technologies.

Further Education faces £150 million funding shortfall to keep pace with rising student numbers

The Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned that England’s 16-18 education sector will require an additional £150 million by 2028-29 just to maintain current spending levels per student. This challenge stems from demographic pressures, with an expected increase of around 70,000 students (3 percent growth) in the 16-18 age group by 2028. The warning comes despite recent government commitments to increase further education funding, highlighting that these increases may not be sufficient to address growing demand.

While Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced an additional £1.2 billion per year for FE by 2028-29, and the government’s post-16 white paper confirmed a real-terms boost of £450 million between this academic year and 2026-27, concerns remain about how this funding will be distributed. The IFS noted that the Treasury has not provided detailed breakdowns of allocation across different parts of the FE system. Even with these increases, funding per student in further education will still remain 6 percent below 2010-11 levels, while colleges face ongoing challenges including deficits, staff retention issues, and growing special educational needs demands that make for what experts describe as a “challenging” year ahead.

Government Encourages English Colleges to Pursue International Expansion with Reduced Red Tape

The government has unveiled a new International Education Strategy aimed at boosting education exports from £32.3 billion to £40 billion annually by 2030, with colleges playing a key role in this ambitious expansion. Ministers are pledging to slash regulatory barriers and provide support for cash flow to help colleges establish sustainable overseas ventures, moving away from the short-term speculative approaches that have previously failed. Currently, only seven colleges recorded overseas income in 2023-24, highlighting the untapped potential in this area.

The strategy addresses previous challenges that have plagued college international ventures, particularly in countries like India and Saudi Arabia, where institutions often struggled with recruitment issues and unfavorable payment arrangements. To overcome these obstacles, the government promises to provide colleges with export finance, market intelligence, and access to the UK’s overseas network. A new education sector action group will work alongside colleges to develop 100-day action plans that identify genuine demand-led opportunities abroad while systematically removing the regulatory hurdles that have made overseas operations difficult.

The initiative represents a refreshed approach to the Conservative government’s post-Brexit education export strategy from 2019, with colleges now being specifically encouraged to seek long-term international partnerships rather than quick wins. The strategy also confirms the UK’s commitment to rejoining the Erasmus+ programme in 2027, while the current Turing Scheme will continue operating until then. Industry representatives have welcomed the recognition of colleges in the strategy, particularly given their existing international partnerships and potential to contribute significantly to the export targets.

MPs to Question Education Secretary in Parliamentary Session Today

FE Week is launching a new live blog format to cover today’s education questions session in the House of Commons, where Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and her ministerial team will face scrutiny from MPs. The session is scheduled to begin at approximately 2:30pm on January 19, 2026.

This represents a significant change in how the publication covers major education events, as they have decided to move away from live reporting on social media platform X. Instead, FE Week will host comprehensive live blogs directly on their website, allowing readers to follow all updates and developments in a single, easily accessible location.

The move reflects a broader shift in how education news is being delivered to the further education sector, with publishers seeking more controlled and comprehensive ways to share breaking news and parliamentary coverage with their audiences.

PeopleCert launches internal probe into City & Guilds senior leadership following acquisition controversy

PeopleCert, the Greek qualifications company that acquired City & Guilds in October, has initiated an internal investigation into the conduct of the awarding organization’s top executives. The inquiry, led by legal representatives and non-executive board members, aims to examine events both before and after the controversial sale, including recent allegations of financial impropriety. These concerns center around substantial bonuses paid to executives shortly after the acquisition and questions about transparency with charity trustees and regulators.

As part of the investigation, City & Guilds CEO Kirstie Donnelly and finance director Abid Ismail have been placed on temporary absence from their roles. Their responsibilities are being handled by chief customer officer Andy Moss and PeopleCert’s vice president of finance. The development follows the Charity Commission’s decision to open a statutory inquiry into the sale process and trustees’ decision-making, while exam regulator Ofqual has confirmed it is closely monitoring the situation at the major awarding body.

The investigation adds another layer of scrutiny to what has become a highly contentious acquisition in the further education sector. PeopleCert emphasized its commitment to taking such allegations seriously and ensuring continued service delivery to partners and learners while the internal probe proceeds, though the company declined to comment on specific details pending the investigation’s completion.

Training Provider Achieves Top Rating Under Ofsted’s New Inspection System

Carlisle-based System People Limited has become the first further education provider to receive an ‘exceptional’ grade under Ofsted’s revamped inspection framework. The independent training provider, which specialises in logistics and HGV driver training, earned the top rating for its skills bootcamp programmes after a four-day inspection in November. Managing director Tony Higgins credited the achievement to the company’s three decades of strong employer relationships in the region and its demonstrable impact on learners’ career prospects.

The inspection comes as Ofsted has completely overhauled its assessment approach following criticism and political pressure after Labour came to power. The watchdog has replaced single-word judgements with a five-point grading scale across 16 different areas, including a new focus on ‘inclusion’. Higgins praised the new collaborative approach, describing it as noticeably different from previous inspections, with greater emphasis on staff wellbeing and more open communication throughout the process.

System People primarily delivers apprenticeships for 345 learners alongside skills bootcamps for around 50 participants, focusing on large goods vehicle driving and early years training. The ‘exceptional’ grade is designed to recognise truly exemplary practice at a national level, with Ofsted’s chief inspector previously stating that such ratings would identify providers among the very best in the country.

Former psychology teacher receives substantial compensation after tribunal finds college failed to address workplace harassment

A psychology lecturer with autism spectrum disorder and other disabilities has been awarded over £177,000 after an employment tribunal found her former college guilty of discrimination and harassment. Dr Sharon Turton worked at MidKent College until taking voluntary redundancy in 2022, following what the tribunal described as systematic mistreatment by colleagues and management failures.

The case centered on harassment by a colleague who mocked Dr Turton’s mental health conditions in front of students, telling them she had “mental problems” while tapping her head. The situation worsened when the college launched a formal investigation into fabricated allegations that Dr Turton had made racist comments about a student – claims the tribunal ruled were completely unfounded and designed to damage her reputation.

The tribunal found the college guilty of disability-related harassment, direct discrimination, and failing to make reasonable adjustments for Dr Turton’s needs. The substantial payout includes compensation for lost earnings, injury to feelings, and personal injury damages. The discrimination has left Dr Turton, who was described as a committed lecturer likely to have worked until age 70, unable to face returning to educational environments and barely able to leave her home. The case highlights the serious consequences when educational institutions fail to protect disabled staff from workplace harassment and discrimination.

Technology fragmentation creates unnecessary burden for England’s further education providers

Further education colleges and apprenticeship training providers across England are struggling with scattered technology systems that make their already complex work even more difficult. Staff find themselves constantly switching between different applications for admissions, assessments, progress tracking, and financial management, leading to wasted time on data entry and reduced visibility of student progress. This technological fragmentation means energy that should go toward teaching and supporting learners instead gets consumed by administrative tasks and data reconciliation.

The impact goes beyond mere inconvenience, affecting the sector’s ability to provide timely interventions for struggling students and maintain proper oversight of apprenticeship requirements. When student records are split across multiple platforms, early warning signs can be missed, reviews take longer to complete, and compliance teams must scramble to piece together information from various sources during audits. Recent government surveys have confirmed these challenges are widespread, with integration difficulties and uneven digital strategies creating significant barriers to efficiency across the further education sector.

The solution lies in moving toward more integrated technology platforms that can handle the full range of FE operations in one place, allowing staff to focus on what matters most – supporting learners and engaging with employers. By reducing the need to constantly switch systems and re-enter data, colleges and training providers can redirect their considerable skills and dedication toward delivering quality education rather than managing technological complexity.

Government launches major £200 million training initiative to boost SEND expertise across further education

The Department for Education has unveiled an ambitious £200 million programme designed to enhance special educational needs and disabilities training for staff across early years settings, schools, and colleges. This comprehensive initiative, set to roll out over the course of this Parliament, aims to ensure every educator has the necessary skills to support learners with SEND requirements. The training will include flexible online modules, face-to-face sessions, and high-quality materials developed by experts in the field.

Skills minister Jacqui Smith emphasised the importance of ensuring all young people can access excellent education without having to travel long distances for specialised support. The programme will cover teaching assistants as well as teachers and will be written into the SEND code of practice as statutory guidance. While college teachers are explicitly included in the scheme, the department has been less committal about independent training providers and apprenticeship providers, stating only that further details on their eligibility will be published later.

The initiative represents the largest and most ambitious teacher training package ever announced for SEND support, with the goal of creating truly inclusive environments where all staff can adapt to student needs and make effective use of assistive technologies. This significant investment reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring no young person with special educational needs is left behind in the education system.

Skills Training Shifts Focus as AI Transforms Workplace Learning Demands

A major new report from online learning platform Coursera reveals how artificial intelligence is dramatically reshaping the skills that workers need to develop. Based on data from nearly six million enterprise learners across 7,000 organizations, the research shows that enrollment in generative AI courses has exploded by 234% year-on-year, with learners now signing up for AI training at a rate of 14 per minute compared to just eight per minute last year.

The most striking finding is the surge in demand for critical thinking skills, which have seen triple-digit growth as employers recognize that human judgment becomes more valuable when AI handles routine tasks. For learners focused on generative AI, critical thinking course enrollments jumped by 185%, reflecting the growing need for workers who can effectively evaluate and validate AI-generated outputs. This trend is playing out across different sectors, with data professionals seeing 168% growth in critical thinking training, while software and IT workers are also prioritizing these human-centered skills.

The research also highlights positive developments in workplace equality, with the gender gap in AI training beginning to narrow. Female participation in generative AI courses rose from 36% to 41% over the past year, suggesting that organizations are becoming more inclusive in providing AI skills access. Meanwhile, cybersecurity training has gained renewed urgency, with network security course enrollments up 83% as companies grapple with new AI-driven security vulnerabilities.

Future of England’s Apprenticeship System Uncertain Following Government Department Transfer

England’s apprenticeship landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past two decades, evolving from a youth-focused training pathway into something quite different. The statistics tell a striking story: in 2006/7, less than 1% of apprentices were aged 25 or over, but by 2024/25 this figure has surged to 51.3%. This shift has been accelerated by the introduction of Degree Apprenticeships and the Apprenticeship Levy in 2017, while simultaneously causing a steep decline in intermediate level apprenticeship starts.

The current system has essentially become the government’s primary workforce training strategy, serving as the only regularly available publicly subsidised training for employers. However, this approach provides only limited solutions to urgent national needs for reskilling and upskilling to boost productivity and economic growth. The apprenticeship framework struggles to serve sectors relying on lower-skilled workers such as retail, hospitality, and social care, while its inflexibility and lengthy duration make it unsuitable for dynamic growth sectors like creative industries, digital technology, and clean energy.

Despite employer demands for reform and Labour’s manifesto promise to transform the Apprenticeship Levy into a “Growth & Skills Levy” with greater flexibility, progress has stalled. The unexpected transfer of responsibility from the Department for Education to the Department for Work and Pensions in September has contributed to delays, with reforms now promised by April. The challenge is compounded by the rising number of economically inactive young people, adding pressure on the DWP to address multiple complex workforce issues simultaneously.

Football Clubs Partner with Government to Combat Youth Unemployment Through New Hub Initiative

The UK government has announced a major shift in its approach to tackling youth unemployment, moving away from traditional jobcentre appointments to establish support hubs in football clubs across the country. With nearly one million young people currently classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), the Department for Work and Pensions is investing £25 million to double its Youth Hub network to over 200 locations. This strategic partnership will see Premier League and EFL clubs hosting official government employment services within their community facilities.

The initiative recognizes the unique position football clubs hold as trusted “anchor institutions” in British communities, particularly in areas affected by economic decline. While trust in government institutions has declined, local football clubs maintain strong community connections and loyalty that traditional bureaucratic approaches have failed to achieve. Every Premier League club’s charity arm has entered discussions to join the network, alongside the EFL in the Community and Rugby Football League.

This approach represents a fundamental change in youth support strategy, acknowledging that effective engagement requires meeting young people where they are, rather than expecting them to navigate sterile government offices. By leveraging the cultural power and community trust associated with football clubs, the government hopes to create more accessible and appealing pathways for 18 to 21-year-olds to access employment support and training opportunities.

Ofsted’s Inclusion Framework Reveals Planning as Critical Weakness for FE Providers

Further education providers are significantly underestimating the importance of systematic planning within Ofsted’s new Inclusion judgement framework, according to analysis of the inspection body’s expectations. While many colleges and training providers focus on assessment processes and delivery methods, they are failing to demonstrate coherent planning frameworks that translate learner needs into structured support interventions. This gap between assessment insights and planned responses is emerging as a key differentiator between providers achieving “Expected” versus “Strong” grades, with poor planning potentially pushing institutions toward “Needs Attention” ratings.

The planning stage sits at the heart of Ofsted’s graduated approach of “Assess, Plan, Do, Review” but is often the most overlooked element by providers. Inspectors are looking for evidence that leaders have established systematic processes to address barriers to learning “swiftly and consistently” rather than relying on ad-hoc support or good intentions. This requires staff to understand the full range of potential barriers facing learners, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds or with special educational needs, and to have clear frameworks guiding what interventions to implement, when, and how.

The analysis suggests that inclusion cannot be achieved through scattered support interventions or pockets of excellence, but requires institution-wide planning strategies that ensure equitable support for every learner who needs it. Providers must demonstrate that their assessment processes directly inform structured planning that leads to effective reasonable adjustments and targeted support, moving beyond policy statements to show systematic implementation across their provision.

Education Sector Prepares for Major Changes in 2026

The further education landscape is set for significant transformation in 2026 following a wave of government policy announcements in late 2025. The introduction of V Levels represents one of the most ambitious changes, with these new qualifications designed to work alongside A Levels and T Levels to simplify what many consider a confusing post-16 education system. However, concerns are mounting about the extremely tight timeline, with rollout planned for 2027 leaving little time to properly develop the resources and training that teachers, employers and universities will need to make the system work effectively.

Addressing youth unemployment has become a top government priority, with substantial financial commitments announced including £820 million for 350,000 training opportunities, 360 new Youth Hubs, and guaranteed work placements for 55,000 young people on long-term benefits. The Chancellor has made clear the government’s ambition to completely eliminate long-term youth unemployment, with a comprehensive review led by Alan Milburn expected to report in spring 2026.

The apprenticeship system is also undergoing major reform with the introduction of the Growth and Skills Levy from April 2026. This will allow employers to use levy funds for shorter apprenticeship units in key areas like artificial intelligence, digital technology and engineering. While this increased flexibility is welcomed by many, there are concerns about the potential strain on an already stretched budget and whether it might ultimately reduce the total number of apprenticeship opportunities available.