FE colleges face another year of real challenge. That’s the message from Richard Atkins, the Further Education Commissioner, in his annual report.

The report highlights some of the achievements made in strengthening the FE sector in 2017/2018 but also highlights the challenges that remain to be addressed. These include T Levels implementation and apprenticeship reform which will continue to force colleges to keep adapting, according to the Commissioner.

The Commissioner also highlights the financial difficulties that failing colleges face and the “risks to the communities they serve”.

The FE Commissioner, an independent advisor to ministers, has a remit to support colleges in improving quality and to assess the leadership and governance of colleges that have serious weaknesses in quality or financial health.