Credit, Collections & Insolvency News
West Kent and Ashford College (WKAC) is set to enter education administration under the insolvency regime created by the Technical and Further Education Act 2017. WKAC bosses have filed a request to also be placed into education administration after the FE Commissioner recently recommended East Kent College Group should take on its provision and facilities in Ashford, and North Kent College.
WKAC chair Martin Doel said “While finances have been stabilised over recent months, the college is faced with exceptional outstanding liabilities and would be insolvent without external support.”
“Entering education administration would provide the college with an effective means of implementing the recommendations in the Further Education Commissioner’s Options Review, which are aimed at obtaining a long-term sustainable solution for the existing provision offered by the college.”
A Department for Education spokesperson said “Following a request from West Kent and Ashford College we have applied to the court to place the college in education administration. This is now a matter for the court. This process is designed to specifically ensure that learners’ interests are protected and continue their studies with minimal disruption.”
Despite this, the colleges will continue to operate as normal, with applications and enrolments being taken for courses starting in September and qualifications for existing students unaffected by the process. Staff will also continue to be employed as normal but if the application is approved, it is expected that education administrators will be appointed at a hearing today (16th August 2019).
The news comes three months after Hadlow College entered administration. Both Hadlow College and West Kent and Ashford College are part of the Hadlow College Group.
Source: Kent Online