Latest news

Apprenticeship scheme strapped for cash
Work based learning is on the verge of collapse, according to a report by the joint Engineering Skills Advisory Group. It warned the government that few employers are receiving enough funding for Advanced Modern Apprenticeships. It recommends extending funding for the apprenticeships to those over 25 and equalising the funding with that for 16-18 year olds.

Lord Taylor supports UK baccalaureate
The former pro-chancellor of Lancaster University Lord Taylor of Blackburn has called on the government to scrap A-levels in favour of the international baccalaureate. Lord Taylor was speaking yesterday in a debate about A* grade A-levels in which education minister Baroness Ashton of Upholland denied government plans to introduce the new grade.

Management buy-out at student insurers
Student insurers Endsleigh is to be bought by its management. Endsleigh Insurance Services, remembered by generations of undergraduates as insurers of their hi-fis and other personal belongings, is to be sold to managers for an undisclosed sum by its parent company the Netherlands-based firm De Goudse.

'Poisoned' Malaysian minds given antidote
Malaysia is to introduce a loyalty pledge for university academics from the beginning of the new academic year in May to stop what prime minister Mahathir Mohamad called the poisoning of students' minds. All public university students will also have to sign the same pledge to eradicate anti-government activities on campus.