CEL Policy Update No. 3
Posted: 12 October 2007
Extract from news briefing by the Centre for Excellence in Leadership (CEL), covering the period 26 September to 3 October 2007.
QCA begins consultation with FE providers about qualifications-awarding powers
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority began a consultation on Sept. 26 with colleges and training providers to discuss how their training programmes can be formally included in the qualifications system. Ken Boston, chief executive of the QCA, said, “We are exploring the possibilities of colleges awarding of qualifications, and the Awarding Bodies providing teaching, either directly or through strategic alliances”
. The survey asks FE sector personnel how their independently developed programmes might be best brought into the National Qualifications Framework, allowing FE providers to award certificates and qualifications on their own. This echoes the provisions of the Further Education Bill, which would permit colleges to award Foundation Degrees.
Professionals in the FE sector can contribute to the consultation by taking an online or telephone survey. The consultation will close on Oct. 19, and the QCA expects to issue advice to the Government next March.
Citizens Advice, Jobcentre Plus form new partnership
The Citizens Advice network of charities announced on Sept. 25 a new agreement with Jobcentre Plus, to share information and forge closer links. The pact, announced at the Citizens Advice annual conference in York, calls for the two organisations to draft a plan by the end of this year that will provide for meetings, the exchange of data and enhanced communication. The two groups hope that closer collaboration will allow each to share best practice and thus provide improved services to their clients, as well as improving outreach to socially excluded persons. Citizens Advice also hopes the new agreement will allow it to play a larger role in creating and implementing some Jobcentre Plus programmes.
LSC and Government approve Skills Academy for nuclear industry
Skills minister David Lammy on Sept. 24 approved the business plan for a nuclear industry Skills Academy, and will provide £20 million in funding. The Skills Academy is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cogent, the Sector Skills Council with jurisdiction over the nuclear and other energy industries. The Skills Academy's flagship centre will be in a newly built facility in Lilyhall, in Cumbria. Called the Nuclear Academy, it is a separately incorporated entity, formed by a consortium including British Nuclear Group, the Northwest Regional Development Agency and other partners. The new Academy will work closely with the nearby University of Cumbria It will host the national nuclear training programme, as well as other education, training and business support services The Skills Academy will also establish a number of 'regional training clusters' throughout the country to serve as satellite training platforms.
Denham: Government must ensure a qualified workforce
Universities Secretary John Denham said that his department remains committed to implementing the Leitch Review of Skills, despite concerns that the review is too rigidly focused on certain levels of qualifications. In a Guardian interview published on Oct. 2, entitled The Listening Minister, Denham, said he was 'sensitive' to calls from businesses that want to accredit shorter courses, and that DIUS was making provision to recognise these programmes. As the headline suggests, many businesspeople expected Denham to be more open to their concerns than previous ministers.
However, Denham also said that “if we put all of the emphasis ... on very short courses that meet a particular need in a particular job in a moment in time, in the long term we have a society that is under-qualified”
. Denham also said he hoped the Government would not have to force businesses to provide training; under Leitch, this option will come under review in 2010.
Welsh Minister announces expansion of skills brokering program
John Griffiths, the Welsh Deputy Minister for Skills, announced on Sept. 27 that the Welsh Assembly Government would be doubling the number of skills advisers and assessors it employs. In an article posted to icWales website, Griffiths said the expansion of the two-year-old Workforce Development Programme came after Cardiff had received a great deal of positive response from employers. The Workforce Development Programme works to match employers with appropriate employee training, or help employers creating training schemes of their own. Griffiths said the programme would “create skills programmes at all levels that genuinely move their businesses forward,”
from tackling low literacy and numeracy levels to developing managerial talent.
Liberal Democrat front-bencher criticises Government adult education policy
Sarah Teather, the Liberal Democrat spokeswoman for universities and skills, attacked Government policies that she said were undercutting adult education. Writing on fenews.co.uk on Sept. 28, Teather said that many adult learners required non-qualification courses as a bridge to more rigorous training, and that the Government's focus on meeting qualifications targets was actually undercutting its drive to get more people into skills courses. Teather also said adult education kept older people healthier and lessened strains on the health and welfare services, and that the Liberal Democrats would devolve more budget-setting powers to colleges by reducing 'ring-fencing.'
Motor industry body licensed as Sector Skills Council
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has received a Government license to act as a Sector Skills Council, according to the Sept. 28 edition of Training News. The IMI plans to use its new status to work on developing training programmes in the 14-19 sector, including working on the new Diplomas in engineering. IMI also plans to work in adult learning, careers development, management and leadership and developing a Sector Qualifications Strategy. IMI has hired a new executive board and a new manager for Scotland in preparation for its new field of activity.
DWP: Older and younger workers benefit from each other
A survey commissioned by Jobcentre Plus has found that older workers learn new skills while working with younger employees. The survey, the results of which were published on Sept. 27, found that two-fifths of older workers reported learning new skills from younger colleagues. For their part, large majorities something not quite right hereof younger workers thought their older counterparts brought experience and reliability to the workplace. Lesley Strathie, Jobcentre Plus's CEO, said, “The research shows that having the right balance of age and skills can bring numerous benefits to establishing a complete workforce for both employers and employees.”
Jobcentre Plus reported that it helped almost 90,000 people over 50 find work between October 2006 and February 2007.
Ben Margulies
Policy Research Officer