14-19 Education - New Diploma qualifications accredited (Ofqual, 1 September 2008)
Ofqual, the qualifications regulator for England, has today announced the accreditation of new principal learning qualifications and the overarching structure for Diplomas in business, administration and finance; environmental and land-based studies; hair and beauty studies; hospitality; and manufacturing and product design.
14-19 Education - School leaving age extended to 17(10 Downing Street, 3 September 2008)
Year 7 children starting school this term are the first to be legally required to stay in education until they are 17.
Apprenticeships - Denham and Balls announce increase to minimum apprenticeship earnings (DIUS, 9 September 2008)
The minimum weekly earnings for all apprentices in England will be increased from £80 to £95 a week next year, Skills Secretary John Denham and Children's Secretary Ed Balls Announced today.
Higher Education - From soft skills to hard job offers(Guardian, 2 September 2008)
It's not enough to be clever, students are now told. You must be employable. Well, Max certainly is.
Higher Education - Balls' Academy revolution to bring "university culture" to schools gathers pace (DCSF, 10 September 2008)
Half of English universities have signed up to become Academy sponsors and partners - meaning thousands of secondary school pupils will benefit from an injection of "university culture" to help raise attainment and widen participation, particularly among deprived communities.
Higher Education - Best-ever response rate for National Student Survey(HEFCE, 11 September 2008)
More students than ever have responded to the National Student Survey (NSS) this year. Nearly 220,000 students completed the 2008 survey.
Sectors: Early Years - Balls pledges every child to have equal access to best quality early years care and education(DCSF, 1 September 2008)
Leading childcare experts joined Ed Balls today in championing the introduction of the early years foundation stage and Ed Balls said it would provide 'a level playing field so all children start school with an equal chance of doing well'.
Sectors: Engineering - Government launches new framework for UK manufacturers (BERR, 8 September 2008)
The Government today unveiled a new strategy for the UK's manufacturing sector - 'New Challenges, New Opportunities' - to help UK firms take advantage of changing global trends in manufacturing.
Skills - Current skills regime too complex says report(eGov monitor, 29 August 2008)
A new report today calls for local authorities to be given greater control over adult skills provision.
Skills - Unwrapping training (Guardian, 2 September 2008)
Opinion piece: Perhaps it's unfair, but anyone skimming through the Conservatives' recent policy green paper, Building Skills, Transforming Lives, could be forgiven for turning it into a game of "spot the difference".
Skills - 'Soldiers will emerge from service with a disposition for learning'(Independent, 4 September 2008)
Opinion piece: The Government's recent announcement of new support for the armed forces and their families included an increase in compensation and priority access to social housing for injured personnel as well as a valuable education entitlement.
