Blog

23 JUL 2024

11 years supporting "the forgotten sector"

11 years ago, we launched onlyFE

Happy Birthday to us!

Since 2013 we have supported "the forgotten sector” and dedicated ourselves to the Further Education sector.

6 JUN 2024

AoC launch GE hub | Traineeships could return | The impact of CV fraud + more

We hope that you've had a great week. Please find below an outline of the key education news, from across week.

16 MAY 2024

FE & HR News: UCU's Own Staff Strike, 50K Win for Unfair Dismissal Lecturer, Mental Health Awareness Week and more.

This big news this week: UCU's own staff vote to strike over systemic work place racism allegations. Full details below, along with 6 other stories you may have missed this week.

10 MAY 2024

7 FE & HR News Articles You Might Have Missed This Week - AoC Hikes Membership Fees, Promoting College Benefits, Alternative Ofsted Inspections

As the sunny weather brightens our week, it's easy to miss a few things while soaking up the sun. Here are 7 FE & HR news articles you may have missed from across the week.

25 APR 2024

Finally some good news for Further Education + Ofsted Rating Judgement, Earth Day & much more

The big and long over due news from the Department for Education this week has dominated the headlines... and rightly so!

Here is a selection of noteworthy articles that you may have missed:

18 APR 2024

This Week's FE & HR News: ONS Unemployment Data, Lecturer wins £44k Payout, minimising employee turnover and more.

Top stories from across the  week include new ONS unemployment data, a Lecturer receives a £44k payout, 4 ways to improve employee satisfaction and much more:

4 APR 2024

FE & HR News Highlights: New Skills Minister, Redundancy Laws, College VAT, Flexible Working

It's the Easter Holidays and as such, a quieter than usual week... grab a coffee and take a look at these interesting articles you may have missed: 

27 MAR 2024

FE, HR & Skills News Roundup - March 2024

As we head into the Easter break, here's the top 10 most viewed articles from onlyFE and other news outlets from the past month.

14 MAR 2024

In the news this week: Salaries in job ads, AI, ONS employment figures, holiday pay guidance and more

A selection of FE, HR and industry news for the past week that may have passed you by:

7 MAR 2024

Spring Budget FE Reaction, Flexible Working, Student Engagement in 2024 Elections

Jeremy Hunts spring budget has been the big talking point this week. We've gathered a selection of stories with sector reaction, along with other noteworthy stories that you may have missed:

19 FEB 2024

This weeks FE & HR news: Job ghosting, over 50's opportunities, paternity leave & more

Here are a selection of noteworthy stories you may have missed during half term:

9 FEB 2024

Big stories this week: National Apprenticeship Week, Electric cars, Chatty Colleagues and more...

National Apprenticeship Week has dominated the FE sector this week. Here are a selection of noteworthy stories you may have missed.

25 JAN 2024

One-off bonus payments. A potential solution to the cost of living crisis?

In the wake of the festive season, employees often face financial strain, making the allure of annual bonuses particularly strong. Bonuses, serving as a recognition of hard work, are crucial in sectors like financial services, where they significantly impact talent retention, as highlighted by recent ONS figures.

25 JAN 2024

1 in 5 employees experience burnout as long-term sickness hits record highs

Recent research by Mental Health UK reveals a concerning trend: 20% of UK workers have taken leave due to stress-related issues in the past year, marking a significant rise in long-term sickness absence.

24 JAN 2024

5 changes experts suggest on AI in colleges

The Department for Education should fund trials of potentially effective AI to check if it does actually boost students’ outcomes, government experts have said.

17 JAN 2024

Government Initiatives to Boost Teacher Wellbeing and Recruitment

New measures to enhance recruitment and retention in the teaching profession have been announced by the government on Monday.

15 JAN 2024

Coming back around: The rise of ‘boomerang’ workers

Ever lost a great hire? Well, as luck would have it, an increasing number of people are returning to their old employers. Meet “boomerang” workers.

10 JAN 2024

How can we attract and retain the next generation of FE staff?

As we enter 2024, recruitment and retention of high-quality teachers is a critical issue across the further education (FE) sector, particularly in vocational courses where both educators and assessors are in short supply.

8 JAN 2024

Ofsted inspections to restart

Inspections of schools and further education providers in England will begin from 22 January, following mental health awareness training for all lead inspectors.

7 DEC 2023

Five million over 50s in the UK set to retire early, according to new research

The article from FE News discusses new research indicating that around 5.3 million UK workers over 50 are considering early retirement. This trend poses a risk to the workforce, exacerbated by rapid technological advances and a skills gap. Many older workers feel compelled to retire due to a lack of modern skills.

6 DEC 2023

5 things we learned from Keegan’s education committee hearing

Education secretary gives updates on RAAC, transgender guidance, ABS consultation and FE recruitment

30 NOV 2023

UCU Agrees New Pay Deals At 24 Colleges

In recent developments, the University and College Union (UCU) has successfully negotiated pay raises at 24 additional colleges across the UK. This marks a significant step in addressing staff pay concerns in the further education sector.

30 NOV 2023

Green Skills Crisis - New Research Shows Most Young People Don't Know What Net Zero Means

The Prince’s Trust and Public First have today launched a report into young people’s perceptions of the green economy, finding that awareness and interest in green jobs is worryingly low. 

22 NOV 2023

Trust us to shape FE and Skills for the future, urge sector leaders in new report

The UK’s FE and Skills sector will deliver the workforce this country needs if given greater autonomy, a clearer funding framework and better guidance on emerging technologies, according to a new report written by leaders in further education.

21 NOV 2023

Record wage boost for nearly 3 million workers next year

Biggest ever increase to the National Living Wage, worth over £1,800 a year for a full-time worker, fulfils manifesto pledge to end low pay.

13 NOV 2023

Women’s Earnings Pause Compared to Men

Equal Pay Day 2023: The Fawcett Society, a UK gender equality charity, marks 22nd November as Equal Pay Day. This date symbolises when women effectively stop earning compared to men, owing to a 10.7% gender pay gap.

11 NOV 2023

£165 million allocated to 40 colleges as part of the local skills improvement fund.

The UK Department for Education (DfE) has allocated £165 million to forty colleges as part of the local skills improvement fund. These grants, ranging from £2.4 million to £10 million, aim to develop new facilities and courses in line with local skills needs identified in the Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs). The funding is spread over two financial years, with £80 million allocated for the current year, split between revenue and capital, and £85 million designated for capital only in 2024-25.

6 NOV 2023

The Untapped Potential in Art and Culture for SEND Youth

In a society where young individuals with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) face systemic challenges, there's a beacon of hope that shines from the realm of art and cultural education. Recent discussions have shed light on the power these disciplines hold in reshaping the futures of 16-25-year-olds with SEND, offering them pathways that are both inclusive and enriching.

6 NOV 2023

The Evolving Career Path: Gen Z Predicts 3x Industry Changes in a Lifetime

30 OCT 2023

30 colleges plan 3 day strike in November

The University and College Union (UCU) has confirmed that staff at 30 colleges across England will participate in a three-day strike from November 14-16, 2023, due to ongoing disputes over low pay. This action follows a ballot in which 32 colleges voted to strike, although two subsequently settled their pay disputes. The strike coincides with the Association of Colleges annual conference and follows GCSE resits.

28 OCT 2023

DfE to introduce minimum service levels in colleges

The Department for Education  has announced the introduction of minimum service levels in schools and colleges to mitigate the impact of strike actions, following over 10 days of strikes this year due to disputes over teacher pay and working conditions, resulting in a cumulative loss of 25 million school days. Strike actions in colleges have been on the rise, with staff from 32 colleges voting to strike this autumn.

16 OCT 2023

Employee absence rates soar to record 10-year high

A recent CIPD study has brought to light some concerning statistics: UK workers are taking more sick days than they have in the past decade!

15 OCT 2023

The Power of HR: 10 TED Talks to Motivate Your Team

In the ever-evolving landscape of the business world, Human Resources stands as the backbone, ensuring not only the efficient functioning of organisations but also nurturing the very essence of what makes them tick: people.

4 OCT 2023

The Menopause Dilemma in Workplaces: What's Missing and Why It Matters

Recent research reveals a startling oversight in workplaces when it comes to understanding and supporting women undergoing menopause.

2 OCT 2023

Standing up for older workers in the North

The economic inactivity of individuals aged between 50 and 64 is becoming a serious concern in the UK, especially in the northern regions. A staggering 1 million people from this age bracket are currently out of the workforce. But why?

28 SEP 2023

onlyFE: Celebrating a Decade in Further Education

It is with huge pride to announce a significant milestone in our journey - onlyFE's 10th Anniversary.

11 SEP 2023

Competition for UK jobs peaks at highest level since January 2021

Traditionally, August tends to be a slower month in terms of recruitment activities, but this year has bucked the trend significantly. The data presented paints a picture of a job market that is bustling with activity, as applicants scramble to secure positions in various industries.

9 SEP 2023

Crafting Age-Inclusive Job Adverts: A Step Towards a Diverse Workforce

In today's dynamic working environment, fostering a multigenerational workforce is becoming an essential facet for businesses worldwide. As the landscape changes, it is imperative for companies to align their recruitment strategies with inclusivity, thus not missing out on any prodigious talents, especially from the older age demographic.

4 SEP 2023

Developing a ‘Green Skills’ curriculum in your college

Green Skills are high on the government’s agenda and there are vast opportunities for colleges to ensure that their technical skills provision is responsive to local labour market demands and Education for Sustainable Development is embedded throughout the curriculum

4 SEP 2023

Key findings - DfE's Workforce Data Release

The Department for Education has released its first-ever data on the Further Education workforce for the 2021/22 academic year. This release, as promised in the Skills for Jobs white paper, sheds light on several key aspects of the FE sector, including ethnic diversity among leaders, gender pay gaps, salary disparities, and more. In this analysis, we will summarise the eight key findings from this data release, providing insight into the state of the FE workforce.

21 AUG 2023

Embracing Flexible Learning to Elevate Future Digital Skills

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the acquisition of robust digital skills has become an imperative for individuals and businesses alike.

21 AUG 2023

A-Level Results Day 2023: Sector Response

A-Level Results Day 2023 has brought a mix of emotions as students eagerly awaited their academic fate.

12 AUG 2023

Summer Childcare Struggles: Working Parents Use Annual Leave

A study conducted by IWG found that a significant portion of working parents experience stress when arranging childcare during the summer break. Around 62% of respondents reported this stress, leading to 55% using their annual leave to address childcare responsibilities, and 12% utilising their entire annual leave entitlement for this purpose.

12 AUG 2023

Agriculture Lecturer crowned Wales’ Woman Farmer of the Year 🚜

Katie-Rose Davies, Lecturer in Agriculture at Bridgend College, has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to Welsh agriculture, receiving the title of ‘Woman Farmer of the Year’.

7 AUG 2023

Third Of UK Workers Suffer From FOOC: Fear Of Offending Colleagues

A new research study by Reed.co.uk, reveals that almost a third (32%) of British workers feel unable to be their authentic selves at work.

7 AUG 2023

Resilience in FE Amid Economic Uncertainty

Recently, there has been a significant drop in advertised job openings in England, raising concerns about the country's economic prospects. According to Reed Recruitment, job listings have plummeted by 24.4% in the past three months, compared to the same period last year. Additionally, they are down 26.6% from 2019 levels before the pandemic hit. Chairman James Reed believes this is a clear indication that the labor market is loosening and that a recession might be on the horizon.

29 JUL 2023

Working hours still falling after four-day week pilot

29 JUL 2023

Multimillion-pound competition launched for net zero training

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has launched a multimillion-pound competition to subsidise specialist net zero courses in retrofitting and energy efficiency in England.

22 JUL 2023

Vocational T-levels offer England’s students poor value, Ofsted says

The Ofsted report, commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE), has raised strong criticism of T-levels, England's vocational qualifications intended to be equivalent to A-levels.

20 JUL 2023

Millions to benefit from new flexible working measures

The Flexible Working Bill has achieved Royal Assent, granting millions of British workers increased flexibility in their work arrangements.

17 JUL 2023

Boosting Staff Pay in Colleges: Government's £500 Million Investment

In a significant move to support the further education (FE) sector, the UK government has committed to injecting nearly £500 million into colleges over the next two years. The additional funding aims to finance pay rises for college staff, marking a positive development for the education landscape. This blog post explores the implications of this investment and its potential impact on colleges, educators, and students.

17 JUL 2023

FE students hit by ‘extreme poverty’, report finds

A report by the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) for students reveals that further education (FE) students in England are experiencing extreme poverty due to a decade of cumulative funding cuts. The lack of resources in FE colleges has resulted in students working excessive hours in insecure jobs to support themselves and their families, causing them to fall behind in their studies.

10 JUL 2023

Discover the Most Desired Employee Perks in 2023 – and it’s not a C2W scheme

As the workplace continues to evolve, so do our expectations and desires as employees. Gone are the days when a simple cycle-to-work scheme would satisfy our craving for enticing perks. A recent study has shed light on the employee benefits that truly resonate with today's workforce. Prepare to be surprised as we explore the exciting findings that reveal the most sought-after perks of 2023.

9 JUL 2023

Starmer Proposes Education as the Key to Breaking the Class Ceiling

In a recent move that has sparked widespread discussions, Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer has unveiled his vision to shatter the class ceiling through education reform. In a speech delivered at a local college, Starmer emphasised the importance of ensuring equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their socio-economic background. With a strong focus on empowering individuals and tackling social inequality, Starmer's proposal has garnered both support and skepticism from various quarters.

2 JUL 2023

Are fully digital exams are on the horizon?

Ofqual, the exams regulator in the UK, is collaborating with the Department for Education to explore the feasibility of transitioning GCSEs and A-levels to fully digital exams.

1 JUL 2023

NHS workforce plan = huge news for the FE sector

The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, recently launched by NHS England, presents a significant opportunity for further education (FE) colleges and training providers to expand their delivery of apprenticeships. The plan highlights the importance of apprenticeships and skills training in the NHS's workforce strategy, benefiting both the health service and the FE sector.

27 JUN 2023

Embracing Age Diversity: Support for over 50's

A recent report by Aviva, a leading UK Insurance, Wealth, and Retirement company, highlights a positive shift in employers' attitudes towards retaining employees over the age of 50. The study reveals that one in ten employers have implemented support systems in the past year specifically designed to accommodate and retain older workers. These initiatives range from apprenticeship programs and mid-life MOTs to job-sharing and partial retirement options. The report emphasises the value of older employees and the need for tailored support to recognise their individual needs.

26 JUN 2023

The Struggles of Working Mothers: Inequality in Pay, Promotion, and Support

A recent survey conducted by recruitment firm Robert Walters sheds light on the challenges faced by working mothers in the UK. The survey reveals significant disparities in pay, promotion opportunities, and support received by working mothers compared to their male counterparts. These findings underscore the urgent need for employers to address the barriers hindering the progress of working mothers.

20 JUN 2023

New AI tool "Prepper" provides interview coaching

The recent launch of Adzuna's AI tool, Prepper, aims to assist jobseekers in preparing for job interviews by generating relevant questions and offering coaching on responses.

14 JUN 2023

DfE call for evidence - AI in education

Education secretary Gillian Keegan is launching a call for evidence on using artificial intelligence (AI) like ChatGPT in education “to get the best” out of the new technology.

12 JUN 2023

Working in a heat wave: health and safety guidance

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a reminder to employers to prioritise the safety of workers during periods of extreme hot weather.

7 JUN 2023

FEATURED OPPORTUNITY - Principal - Blackpool Sixth

5 JUN 2023

How to write the perfect job advert

 Are you struggling to craft captivating job adverts that attract the right candidates?

5 JUN 2023

Exam board look at ‘Duolingo-style’ test for GCSE re-sitters

The largest exam board in England, AQA, is considering the possibility of introducing an on-screen, on-demand test similar to the language learning app Duolingo to help students who repeatedly fail GCSE maths and English.

24 MAY 2023

Careers Guidance: Benefiting Both Young People and Adults

When reminiscing about careers advice, one may recall the school days when they patiently waited outside a borrowed classroom on an uncomfortable plastic chair, anticipating their turn with the careers counsellor. Memories might include the discussions about future prospects and the definitive list of qualifications deemed necessary to confidently pursue a chosen occupation.

23 MAY 2023

Government Calls for Employers to Include Salary Information in Job Ads

In a recent open letter, the UK government has urged employers to include salary information in job advertisements. This move is aimed at promoting transparency and addressing pay inequality issues within the workforce. The government's call is in response to an ongoing campaign by the Young Women's Trust and the Fawcett Society, both of which have been advocating for greater salary transparency to bridge the gender pay gap.

17 MAY 2023

A great collaboration story to boost green skills in FE 🌱🤝

East Anglian colleges have put aside competition and joined forces to deliver a greener future.

15 MAY 2023

Celebrating a Principal's 30 Year Legacy: Tributes Pour in After Sudden Passing

The education sector is mourning the loss of Cirencester Colleges Principal Jim Grant whose remarkable thirty-year legacy has left an indelible impact on the lives of students and colleagues alike. Following the sudden and tragic news of his passing, heartfelt tributes are pouring in, celebrating the dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to education that defined this remarkable individual.

12 MAY 2023

From Garage to Classroom: Sparking Their Imagination

 Engineer Dominic Whelan can fix planes, trains, and automobiles. Now he’s sharing the skills he’s learnt by teaching in FE. With his extensive experience in the automotive industry, Whelan is determined to bridge the gap between practical skills and academic learning, creating a new model that prepares students for real-world success. In this blog post, we delve into Whelan's inspiring journey and the transformative impact he is making in the field of vocational education.

8 MAY 2023

Education Secretary addresses the Education World Forum

Gillian Keegan celebrates the role of international education and promotes the benefits of embracing Artificial Intelligence in education

2 MAY 2023

14 million jobs worldwide will vanish in the next 5 years. 🤖

"Future of Jobs Report 2023" by World Economic Forum highlights the urgent need for individuals and educators to address the skills gap to prepare for the changing job market.

3 APR 2023

FE Colleges Launch Sustainable Skills Revolution 🌳

As we look to build a more sustainable future, it has become increasingly clear that green skills will be essential for the next generation to thrive. That's why it's so important that we provide green skills training in a further education setting, particularly in the UK.

21 FEB 2023

Tax breaks and "sweeteners" to aid skills shortage

A new report published today by Think Tank ResPublica, has called on the government to look at tax breaks for employers and sweeteners for teachers in skills shortage areas as part of measures to address the recruitment crisis.

5 DEC 2022

The Top 7 Employee Benefits In 2022

In a candidate driven market, employee benefits play a huge role in being able to attract and retain the top talent. In a new hybrid working environment though, we look back at what benefits that really mattered to employees in 2022?

5 JUN 2022

Queen’s Birthday Honours 2022: Who received what in FE?

The chair of City & Guilds has been given a damehood and a college principal has been knighted in the Queen’s birthday honours 2022.

Over 20 leaders from the FE and skills sector were named in the honours list, including two CBEs, nine OBEs, eight MBEs and one BEM.

1 JUN 2022

How education can help save our planet

When UNICEF was established as a means of providing aid to children worldwide in 1946, the world was reeling from the aftermath of a shattering world war in a new atomic age.

7 FEB 2022

Winter Olympics 2022: what HR can learn from practice makes perfect

Upskilling and reskilling continues to take the top spot on organisations' list of goals and needs for 2022 and the opening of the Winter Olympics today is a good opportunity to reflect on the role that practice plays in the learning process.  

7 FEB 2022

College barber courses to run suicide prevention training

'I’ve had people sit in my chair and tell me about everything... the affairs, the redundancies, the funerals. We are part of people’s lives'

31 JAN 2022

Is sustainability the new functional skills?

It was impossible to not be aware of #COP26 and the clear momentum gained across the world, as our leaders finally embraced the real climate challenges laying ahead of us. And COP27 is hot on its heels.

27 JAN 2022

Apprenticeship starts recovering to pre-pandemic levels, DfE data shows

Apprenticeship starts appear to be recovering to pre-Covid levels, according to new Department for Education data.

24 JAN 2022

The UK has just launched a four-day working week pilot

First it was working from home. Now it is the four-day working week that is shaking business life in ways that would have seemed unthinkable before Covid-19.

20 JAN 2022

Pay rises fail to keep up with the cost of living

Average pay rises are failing to keep up with the rise in the cost of living, the latest official statistics show.
 

17 JAN 2022

DfE says over 550 ex-teachers answer Covid call to arms

But no figures on how many have actually rejoined the classroom.

11 JAN 2022

Environmental education for NetZero

To achieve #NetZero 2050, the building blocks of Social Transformation need to be in place now, and one of the main pillars of those building blocks is environmental education.

15 OCT 2021

Jobs Recovery Tracker: Job advert numbers rise by over 600,000 since the end of August to new record high

Job advert numbers rise by over 600,000 since the end of August to new record high

6 OCT 2021

Why you need to start selling your College.

According to ONS figures, job vacancies have hit a record high as the economic recovery continues. 

The number of vacancies in the three months to August rose above one million for the first time since records began in 2001. And with that, demand for experienced, qualified staff is fierce.

26 APR 2021

FE colleges need to seek advice from environmental sustainability experts

Teaching sustainability will increase student employment prospects – but we’re still not doing it properly, writes Dora Martínez Carbonell

13 MAR 2021

Further Education’s role in the sustainable society roadmap

The landmark Environment Bill was announced this week (10 Mar), protecting the environment for the next generation and demonstrating to the world that the environment is at the front and centre of the Government’s work, ahead of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).

1 MAR 2021

Anti-racism toolkit launched by leadership group

The toolkit enables colleges to become truly antiracist in everything that it sets out to do, says the Black FE Leadership Group

28 FEB 2021

How the Pandemic is Shaping the FE

Over the past year, the world of education has adapted to challenges that no one could have predicted. The pandemic has caused the entire sector to change. There has been a huge shift to online working, new modes of assessment, and more emphasis being placed on certain subjects.

24 FEB 2021

Back to college: Everything you need to know

Learners are due to return to further education colleges from 8 March, Boris Johnson has confirmed, but how will it work? This is what the guidance says

18 FEB 2021

Hiring is finally moving beyond the office’s physical limits

Forget plush offices and city life: in 2021 recruitment will be truly global. Talent and independent working – not location – will decide who gets recruited for top tech jobs

8 FEB 2021

Covid: Colleges to get extra £29m to help students

Further education colleges are to get an extra £29m to help students get their qualifications during the Covid-19 pandemic.

5 FEB 2021

Colleges need to know about changes to DBS checks

25 JAN 2021

‘Compressed’ exams and early results day: Post-qualification admissions proposals revealed

Exam dates could be brought forward or ‘compressed’ to allow for extra time to process university applications under new proposals for post-qualification admissions (PQA).

21 JAN 2021

Next phase of £1.5bn college capital funding programme launched

Colleges have been told how they can now apply for the next phase of the government’s £1.5 billion capital funding scheme, with applications for the fund due in by 15 March.

17 JAN 2021

Union threatens industrial action to prevent unsafe campus return this academic year

The University and College Union has today (Sunday) called for university teaching to remain online for the rest of the academic year to protect the wellbeing of staff, students and their communities. It said:

15 JAN 2021

Ofqual publishes summer 2021 exams plan

The exams regulator Ofqual has finally revealed its plans for replacing exams this summer.

11 JAN 2021

BTECs: Almost 60% of colleges cancel January exams

Almost 60 per cent of colleges in England have cancelled the January exam series.

Earlier this week, following pressure from the sector to cancel the series altogether, the Department for Education told colleges that despite the national lockdown, they could hold exams over the coming weeks where “they judge it right to do so”. 

8 JAN 2021

National lockdown 3 FE guidance: What you need to know

The Department for Education has finally updated its main Covid-19 guidance document to include details of how FE leaders should handle this year’s partial college and training provider closures.

Many of the instructions on how to keep providers Covid-secure are similar to or the same as they were before, but there are some new instructions.

4 NOV 2020

Ofsted ‘visits’ to go online during national lockdown

Ofsted has confirmed it will undertake school and FE provider visits “remotely” during the national lockdown.

12 OCT 2020

Confirmed: Most GCSE and A-level exams pushed back three weeks

Students will still sit one GCSE English and one GCSE maths exam before the summer half term next year, despite a move to push most other exams back by three weeks.

5 OCT 2020

ESFA to launch £80m adult education budget tender

The Department for Education is gearing up to launch a new £80 million tender for the national adult education budget.

22 AUG 2020

Remembering Sir Ken Robinson

In February 2006, author and educator Sir Ken Robinson stepped on to the TED stage and posed a provocative question: “Do schools kill creativity?“ 

16 JUN 2020

Ever thought about Teaching?

Ever thought about Teaching? Trainee Teacher Position Available.

With an annual turnover of £23.5m, our client is a medium sized, dynamic Further Education College, in Merseyside, delivering a wide range of courses to more than 7000 students from entry level to full degrees.  The College is graded Good by Ofsted, has a Gold rated HE provision and is the only education provider in the Liverpool City Region to deliver the new ‘revolutionary’ technical qualifications, T Levels, commencing delivery in September 2021 in the pathways of Digital Support and Services, Building Services Engineering, Health and Healthcare Science

23 MAR 2020

A MESSAGE FROM ONLYFE

Well, what can we say… strange times are ahead!

As we all know, things are going to be very different in the coming months, but one thing remains the same… onlyFE are still operating as normal (albeit remotely).

10 FEB 2020

Multi-million pound support package to boost the FE workforce

Further education providers across the country are to benefit from a package of support, worth up to £24 million, so they can continue to recruit, retain and develop excellent teachers, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has announced today Wednesday 5th February.

20 JAN 2020

New for 2020

onlyFE Telemarketing is an “FE Specialist Telemarketing Service” for your College. Having worked within FE for over a decade, we are the clear choice for Employer Engagement and Marketing Teams.

If you need to connect with local business for Apprenticeship placements or gain vital feedback on an open day or student recruitment event, we can help you achieve your goals.

12 SEP 2019

Customer Experience Apprenticeship Recruitment Event

Are you interested in a career in customer experience - if so come along to your apprenticeship event at the Printworks Campus!

19 JUL 2019

Search & Approach

Sometimes your advert will need a helping hand. To maximise applications, our experienced team search and approach candidates, who may not even be actively looking for your opportunity, but who might just be the perfect fit.

9 JUL 2019

Why you need to be flexible in your approach to Recruitment

We work collaboratively with clients to provide strategic advice on the best method for each vacancy.  “One-size-fits-all” approach isn't, what we are about.  From experience we understand that specific skill sets and senior posts require a different tactic, we will work with you to recommend the best solution.

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College required assistance to hire multiple staff within their Construction Department, full time, part time, and casual Lecturer’s / Assessors across the Multi-trade skillsets.

29 APR 2019

Leeds College of Building - Innovative Recruitment Through 'Speed Interviewing'

A great case study written by Fozia Baz, Administrator at Leeds College of Building. So good, we couldn't resist sharing:

At a glance

Leeds College of Building have explored alternative recruitment methods to fill ‘hard to recruit’ roles such as their Estates Assistant/Catering Assistant roles (salary ranges from £15,402 to £16,204 per annum).  Previously, the College had advertised both vacancies 13 times in total from 2017 to 2019 with no success, but through the 3 hour ‘speed interviewing’ events, the College managed to fill 2 Estates Assistant posts and 4 Catering Assistant posts with a £4,500 saving in recruitment costs.   

22 NOV 2018

Are you promoting your College benefits?

Benefits, benefits, benefits!!! Don’t hide them, shout about them!

When comparing to industry, College salaries do tend to be below market rate – so make sure you are advertising your staff benefits!

6 NOV 2018

Recruitment Event - Fareham College

Fareham College are holding an Employment Insight Event at CEMAST on 30th November from 10-2...

14 AUG 2018

Encouraging more young women to study construction in a bid to boost numbers in the industry

MidKent College is encouraging more young women to study construction, in a bid to break down gender stereotypes and boost numbers joining the industry.

11 JUL 2018

Get a new perspective to turn your unsuccessful FE recruitment advert into a winner.

We know that some vacancies can be really challenging to fill and there are so many elements that need to be aligned to successfully attract a great pool of candidates. The content of your advert, timings and where your advert is placed are just...

28 JUN 2018

Follow our top tips to successfully complete your next Further Education Application form

Application forms are, well, no one’s favourite pass time. Although often lengthy and time-consuming to complete, they are a necessary evil if you want to secure your next Further Education role.

20 JUN 2018

Is that even a real job title? Why you need to keep it real, simple and relevant.

I’m sure we’ve all seen some job titles in the past and thought ‘what does that actually mean?’. Trying to stand out from the crowd with a unique, creative, or simply over-complicated title, can actually have the direct opposite effect. Your unusual title is likely to at best confuse and put off perfectly suitable candidates and at worst never even be seen by them.

6 JUN 2018

Stand out from the College crowd - Target a wider audience when advertising your FE jobs

In today’s competitive teaching employment market, it is more important than ever to ensure your recruitment advertising campaign for your Further Education College considers all the resources available to it in order to create far reaching awareness of your vacancy.

29 MAY 2018

Proud to work with the two most recently Ofsted rated 'Outstanding' FE Colleges

At a time where the Ofsted inspection system appears to be at its most stringent, we are incredibly proud to be associated with the two FE Colleges most recently awarded ‘Outstanding’ ratings by Ofsted.

16 MAY 2018

5 top tips to fine tune your recruitment application process to attract the best candidates

There’s no denying that modern life is hectic, fast-paced and full on and when it comes to moving jobs, people simply don’t have as much disposable time to commit to the process as they might once have had.

Here at onlyFE, we are noticing that those FE Colleges who are responding positively to this dynamic by making their application process as straight-forward as possible are really seeing the benefits

8 MAY 2018

Looking for your next career move in Further Education?

If you’re looking to move roles either within or into the Further Education sector, chances are if you are reading this post that you have seen an advert we have managed for our clients. Hello and welcome! We are onlyFE and are recruitment advertising specialists working only with Further Education Colleges throughout England (you may have guessed that from the name!). Our mission is to find FE colleges the very best applicants for roles ranging from Cook to Principal and Chief Executive and everything in-between.

Find out more about what we do and how we work with FE Colleges to complete that mission.

15 APR 2018

Everyone’s a winner. ELCAS and the fantastic pool of ex-military candidates waiting to add value to your college and inspire your students.

At a time where a number of FE subject areas are experiencing difficulty in attracting high calibre, experienced teaching professionals, it is more important than ever as a recruiter to think ‘outside the box’ when it comes to considering and advertising those ‘skills shortage’ roles.

10 APR 2018

Introducing our new website!

After an intensive few months of planning, design and development behind the scenes, we are thrilled to announce the launch our new website.

31 OCT 2017

Are You Ready For Robots In The Classroom?

Is your learning establishment preparing for - or even aware of - the next revolution in human development: robots educating our young?

28 SEP 2017

The Further Forces Programme: A Recruiting Sergeant For Future FE Teachers

Forget the loud, beetroot-faced Sergeant Major stereotype, modern military personnel are highly trained, motivated and ideal for inspiring young people in further education.

14 JUN 2017

Attracting Young Talent Into The Fold

Apprenticeships still conjure images of teenagers in overalls getting their hands dirty on the factory floor or a building site, getting trained “on the job” by an old hand.

16 MAY 2017

Facebook Vs LinkedIn: Who will take the title for worldwide careers platform?

When we think of scouting for talent, or searching for the next career challenge the natural tendency is to steer towards LinkedIn. Facebook for fun - LinkedIn for business - right? Wrong!

18 APR 2017

The “T Levels” – What are they, and what do you need to know?

When it comes to technical training, big changes are afoot in Further Education. During the Spring Budget announcement, chancellor Philip Hammond committed to pledge an additional £500 million per year to technical training programmes.

15 MAR 2017

Pop Up Colleges – A trend that is here to stay?

Dynamic start-up pairs FE providers with adults eager to learn in an offbeat setting. A new trend is emerging across the country, as ‘pop up Colleges’ are giving adults an opportunity to learn a variety of new skills in non-traditional environments.

7 FEB 2017

£170 Million Pledged For Institutes Of Technology

Way back in May 2015 we reported on the UK's need to strengthen our STEM skilled workforce as employers, on average, could not fill 25% of their vacancies where skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths were required.

13 DEC 2016

Where to find support to help you teach with Tech

Teaching with technology can pose many challenges for an FE Lecturer. Not only is there an initial level of familiarity and skill required to use a tool yourself, but then the capacity to use this to form a useful and successful lesson for your charges

26 SEP 2016

Apprenticeships and FE - The Latest

There is a lot of critique and opinion in the media at the moment as FE experts go head to head about recent changes proposed to the apprenticeship scheme budget.

13 SEP 2016

The Thrill of FE - Fantastic Achievements of FE Students

Working in Further Education has to be one of the most dynamic, rewarding and downright exciting careers that an individual can pursue.

6 AUG 2016

Are you making the most of your summer break?

As the summer holiday gets underway, it is now the time of year that FE professionals can relax, travel, learn and enrich their personal lives.

26 JUL 2016

A New Education Secretary & Restructuring of the DfE

It’s no secret that the last few weeks have been a time of tumult and change for the UK Government – a new Prime Minister, a full reshuffling of the Cabinet and a whole series of other changes at Number 10.

6 JUN 2016

The Thrill of FE

As educators involved in the world of further education, we can at times become mired in the daily doom and gloom in the press about funding cuts, reviews and shakeups.

23 MAY 2016

The Area Reviews – An Update

As you know (and may have read on our explanative blog last year), the government has set forth a directive that mandates that all Colleges undergo an Area Review process, intended to weed out smaller institutions that may be providing substandard education services.

27 APR 2016

5 TED Talks on How to Inspire Your Students

With the Easter Holiday now behind us and exam season looming large on the horizon, we thought you may appreciate a little pick me up post, full of ideas to inspire yourself and your students.

18 MAR 2016

National Apprenticeship Week 2016 - A Roundup

As many of you will know, this week has been National Apprenticeship Week 2016 (NAW 2016). There have been so many employers pledging to take on apprentices and trainees and so many NAW events going on that we thought a little recap was in order!

19 FEB 2016

5 reasons to increase our use of technology in FE

I don't know about you, but I've been pretty unconvinced by lots of the arguments I've come across for increasing the use of technology in FE.

12 JAN 2016

Our Predictions for Further Education in 2016

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year and are ready and raring to go for 2016!

9 DEC 2015

A world of difference – taking the courage to go beyond equality and diversity

It’s Sunday night, and across the country teachers will be busily working on lesson plans, marking books and turning the house upside down looking for post-it notes (actually that last one could just be me).

24 NOV 2015

5 TED Talks To Help You Drive Your Career To New Heights

Having a 'great' career is something many of us aspire to, fostering a desire to be 'successful' and influential, to work for something, and to be respected in our field. However despite this shared aspiration, in today's society there is extremely high career dissatisfaction, with at least a quarter of UK workers wishing they had a different career entirely.

25 SEP 2015

Sir Ken Robinson - Bring on the Learning Revolution! [TED Talk]

Since discovering Sir Ken Robinson's 2006 TED talk 'Do Schools Kill Creativity' a while back and enjoying it immensely we have been big fans of his

1 SEP 2015

LinkedIn: 10 Top Tips

LinkedIn is a social networking site specifically designed for the business community.

7 JUL 2015

Difference beyond diversity

Since I started working in HR, what seems like many moons ago, I have noticed a shift in how we talk about the topic of Equality and Diversity.

21 MAY 2015

The Best Way To Write & Create An Online Job Advert

Over the years, as you can imagine, we have worked on a vast amount of Further Education job adverts.

5 MAY 2015

What You Need To Know About STEM in FE - The Background

Hello and welcome to the first of our 'STEM in FE' blog series - it's lovely to have you here and we hope you enjoy the posts!

1 JUL 2014

The Further Education Network

Earlier this year, onlyFE launched “The Further Education Network”. A LinkedIn group reserved exclusively for Leadership & Management, Heads of Department, Lecturers, Teachers and Assessors within the Further Education sector.