Letting firms award nationally-recognised qualifications has brought elitist critics out in force.

News that qualifications awarded by McDonald's, Flybe and Network Rail are to be officially accredited has sparked a hot debate. McDonald's bites back.

Skillsmart Retail has warned retail companies not to rush into offering nationally recognised qualifications through its training programmes, as McDonald's announced it is doing this week.

Turning round a failing school is not unlike rescuing an ailing company except that the head teacher has to be CEO, HR director and PR manager rolled into one. By Stephen Hoare