FE and Skills e-newsletter
Posted: 10 January 2010
Extracts from the 25th edition of the newsletter are reproduced here:
Skills for Growth - The national skills strategy
The new national skills strategy, Skills for Growth, was published on Wednesday 11 November. Speaking in the House of Lords, Lord Mandelson said:
"An active government approach to equipping this country for globalisation means making sure we have the skills that underwrite the industries and jobs of the future. That means skills for the high tech, low carbon, more high-value added sectors that drive the growth that underwrites everything else we want to achieve as a society. These skills are becoming more sophisticated and complex, and more vital"
The new strategy takes some important decisions and marks a radical shift in some of the priorities of our skills system, so it can support recovery and a return to sustainable growth.
Commitments include:
- Creating a modern technician class through more advanced apprenticeships
- Investing in skills in the sectors on which future growth and jobs depend
- Empowering individuals through skills accounts giving people 'consumer choice' and better information about courses
- The introduction of light touch monitoring arrangements for our best training organisations
- Simplifying the skills landscape, working with UKCES to implement their recommendation to reduce the number of separately publicly funded agencies by over 30 in the next three years
The launch of the strategy coincided with Colleges Week, during which a study done by RDAs and issued by AoC shows that FE colleges are working to support emerging and growth sectors in many regions: including bio-medicine in the North West; digital media and aerospace in the South East; and wind and wave power in the North East.
You can download the National Skills Strategy from the Business, Innovation and Skills website using the following link - www.bis.gov.uk/policies/skills-for-growth
Skills Investment Strategy 2010-11
The Government has set out how it will invest in the skills training critical to the recovery and long-term success of the UK economy. The Skills Investment Strategy 2010-11 underpins the priorities announced in the recently published national skills strategy, Skills for Growth.
Total Government investment in further education and skills for 2010-11 will be £4.4 billion.
Investment in training places through the Skills Funding Agency is planned to be over £3.5 billion in 2010-11, an increase of nearly 3% compared with 2009-10. The investment strategy sets out how to meet the challenges the skills system faces to train people with the higher technical skills required for the key sectors that underwrite our economic growth, which requires a smarter focussing of resources. Following widespread consultation with the sector, the strategy also reflects the changes required to achieve the £340 million of efficiency savings announced as part of the 2009 budget.
Download the Skills Investment Strategy document [284kB PDF]
The Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill receives Royal Assent
The Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill received Royal Assent on 12 November 2009. It provides the necessary legislation to transform the skills system including:
- provision to dissolve the Learning and Skills Council and transfer responsibility for 14-18 funding to local authorities
- creating the post of Chief Executive of Skills Funding, who will lead the Skills Funding Agency - a non-statutory Agency of BIS - which will fund post 19 education and training.
- establishes a new Young People's Learning Agency to support local authorities in their new role
The Bill is wide ranging and makes provision about apprenticeships, including the issuing of frameworks and certificates; introduces a right for people to apply for time to train; and puts arrangements in place to ensure that the various bodies involved in providing post 16 education share the information needed to carry out their functions.
You can view the press notice here, and details of the Bill's provisions at Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill.
Framework sets out 10-year vision for higher education
BIS has unveiled the new framework for higher education, which was announced by Lord Mandelson in the House of Lords. The publication outlines its strategy for sustaining the strength of higher education in an increasingly demanding and competitive environment.
Higher Ambitions: the future of universities in a knowledge economy sets out a greater role for universities in driving economic recovery and future growth. It will also ensure access to university for all who can benefit while guaranteeing the quality of teaching. Visit www.bis.gov.uk/policies/higher-ambitions to view the report. (URN 09/1447)
FE Investment
DCSF announced the overall investment for 16-19 year olds for 2010-11 on 14 December. The LSC has begun preliminary discussions to ensure that allocations are made to schools and colleges before the end of March 2010 and to deliver the new January Guarantee in 2010, which will ensure that 16 and 17 year olds who have dropped out of learning or have become unemployed are able to re-engage quickly.
Link to more information on 16-19 funding
Pre Budget Report
The Pre Budget Report on 9 November outlined budget savings to be implemented from 2012. Although circumstances will be difficult right across the post-16 education landscape, there has been a welcome increase in funding at 16-19.
On Tuesday 15 December, Government published two important strategy documents: Building Britain's Recovery: Achieving Full Employment; and Investing in Potential - our strategy to increase the proportion of 16-24 year olds in education, employment and training.
Both strategies have important roles for the FE sector, including preparing young people for their post-16 choices; supporting the Backing Young Britain campaign and the September Guarantee; and ensuring the right information and opportunities are available to help individuals acquire the skills so they can get a job, stay in work and progress in their career.
Both documents and more information are available via the following links:
Building Britain's Recovery - Achieving Full Employment
Drawing the Line: Sir Roger Singleton's report on the Government's Vetting and Barring scheme
Children's Secretary Ed Balls has accepted all of Sir Roger Singleton's recommendations to make sure that the Government's Vetting and Barring scheme draws the line in the right place and protects children and vulnerable adults. Ed Balls has pledged to make the necessary adjustments to the rules of the scheme to ensure it strikes the right balance between protecting children and vulnerable adults without being unnecessarily burdensome.
Sir Roger's proposals for revising the scope of the scheme and the clarity it should bring are to be welcomed. The review of controlled activity with its particular relevance for FE colleges is sensible however the Government's commitment to ensuring the safety of young learners in colleges remains paramount.
Link to Sir Roger Singleton's report
Changes to Vocational Qualifications
Vocational qualifications are changing, they will be: easier to understand; flexible; more relevant; and lead to better employability.
Do you want to know more about these changes? Why not have a look at what's now available to help you understand the benefits these changes are bringing and how the changes will provide the skills and qualifications for success:
- BIS has published leaflets about the changes for learners, learning providers, employers and awarding organisations - please email Sandra.calvete@bis.gsi.gov.uk if you would like some hard copies.
- Information about the changes is available at www.bis.gov.uk/vqreform
- A new QCF animation gives a simple explanation of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)
- Other guidance materials about the QCF are also available
- For general enquiries about the QCF email qcfreadiness@qcda.gov.uk
- Look out for new leaflets planned for the new year - the LSC are producing leaflets which clearly set out steps which will help learning providers make the most of the changes. BIS and QCDA are also working together on new material aimed at learners.