NEW REFORMS IMPROVE SKILLS DELIVERY

In march 2009 Government set out the details of the transfer of £7 billion to local authorities to help colleges and sixth forms deliver the reforms needed to raise the education and training leaving age to 18 … At the same time, Government will direct £4 billion a year through a new agency to provide training and skills for adults, transforming the system to be responsive and demand-led.

The proposals are published by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills in a White Paper, Raising Expectations: enabling the system to deliver

The plans will mean the dissolution of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) by 2010 and instead make local authorities responsible for offering all young people in their area a full menu of choices - both the new Diplomas and Apprenticeships alongside GCSEs and A levels

Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls, said:

“We want every 16 and 17-year old in the country to stay on in education or training so that they get a better job, have the chance to earn more and can make the most of their talents. Local Authorities will play a key role in making this happen.

“Young people will have a variety of good quality courses and qualifications to choose from in 2010, whether that is an Apprenticeship, a Diploma or A levels and GCSEs.

“Local Authorities are in the best place to respond to the needs of young people locally. So by giving them responsibility for the funding we are putting the final pieces in place to ensure they can offer this choice. They are already responsible for schools, are taking responsibility for advising young people and are being given new duties to ensure that the right range of provision is in place for young people to continue in education and training until 19.

“We are committed to revolutionising the education system so that it delivers for all young people whatever their interests or abilities. There must be something available for everyone, whichever part of the country they live in. We are confident that young people will want to take full advantage of the exciting choices available to them. “

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKg8JMCVEog

For adult learners a new smaller agency will replace the LSC to streamline the funding process to colleges and training providers. This will ensure that funding follows the training needs of employers and learners.

Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills John Denham, said:

“We want every adult to have the opportunity to improve their skills to get a job or progress in work and to help them realise their own aspirations and talents. The proposals in today’s consultation paper will help us to build on the great success of the LSC who are currently taking forward the skills agenda.

“If we are to meet the targets we set out in World Class Skills then we need a FE and skills system which is even more flexible and responsive to both learners and employers. The new Skills Funding Agency will ensure that government funding responds to employer's and adults’ skills needs and supports excellence in the FE sector.”

Les Lawrence, Chair of the LGA Children and Young People's Board, said:

"The LGA looks forward to working with councils and with our national partners - Government, ADCS, LSC and AoC - to make sure the system following the funding transfer really delivers for young people. The way the new system operates must bring to life the Machinery of Government commitment of giving councils the clear strategic lead for 14-19 education and training, and must support councils in carrying it out effectively. We will continue to discuss what this means for the system’s design and operation with councils and with Government during the consultation period."

"The work that the project team of CDM2007.org has done since launching the CDM E-Learning platform in May 2007 has been moving along to widely intergrate its core learning into the traditional silos of the industry.

 

"These fundamental changes and rethink on the way to deliver Skills Training will now provide a great opportunity for David Jones to develop on his original visions for competence training in the construction industry and show how to use the innovative 'magic' of the internet to deliver material across the web to satisfy the aspirations of Ed Balls, the hopes of John Denham, and the challenge of Les Lawrence ...

 

"In its first year the project won the prestigeous Constructing Excellece National CDM Award and in every year since, the team has picked up further accolades for its work ... latest was to be Finalist in the 2009 National Business Awards sponsored by Orange ...