College federation aims to soothe pain of cuts

Three London FE colleges will work in partnership to ease budget pressures. Tower Hamlets College, Newham College and Redbridge College - which are facing a total of almost pound;3 million in cuts - have formed the Federation of East London Colleges. With a combined income of pound;82 million, more than 30,000 students and 1,300 staff, the colleges will collaborate on services and projects and form a “strong voice” to lobby the government on FE funding. Each institution will maintain its independence and governance structure.

Providers encouraged to apply for pound;100K grants

Colleges and other providers can apply for grants of up to pound;100,000 as part of a programme to improve leadership in FE. The Further Education Trust for Leadership opened the second round of its grant scheme this week to organisations with a “track record of leading thinking”. The charity, which received pound;5.5 million of legacy funding from the scrapped Learning and Skills Improvement Service, wants to build a body of knowledge to shape FE. For details of how to apply for grants, visit www.fetl.org.uk

World expert teaches FE leaders how to `adapt’

Principals attended a lesson about new leadership ideas led by a world-renowned expert this week. Leaders from the 157 Group of colleges spent two days with Professor Marty Linsky of Harvard University hearing about “adaptive leadership”, a framework that helps organisations to adapt and thrive in challenging situations. Dr Lynne Sedgmore, executive director of the 157 Group, said it was a “critical time” for leadership in FE, and a new approach was needed for colleges to meet the “significant challenges” ahead. Professor Linsky, who has spent more than 30 years examining and teaching leadership, said it was good that principals in the UK were willing to challenge their own perceptions and practices.

Let’s make migration work, Niace report says

Niace is calling for urgent action to make the most of migrant skills. In a new report, the adult education body says the abilities of too many people are being wasted and the UK is not aiding integration (bit.lyMigrationReport). It recommends changes to the immigration cap so that more highly skilled people can stay and work in the UK, greater local power to promote integration and a significant expansion in the number of English classes. Chief executive David Hughes said: “Our proposals for learning, employment and skills policies will enhance the benefits of migration, leading to a stronger economy and a more tolerant, inclusive and integrated society.”