New reforms to improve the delivery of adult and young peoples skills

17th March 2008

The Government has 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."

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."

John Freeman, Joint President of the Association of Directors of Children's Services, said:

"Directors of children's services are delighted that local authorities are being given the strategic commissioning role for all education and training for children and young people up to the age of 18. This will enable genuine and effective integration of service delivery, particularly in the vital 14-19 age range, as schools, colleges and employers start to deliver Diplomas and apprenticeships alongside GCSE and other courses, and as the participation age is increased to 18. The changes bring exciting opportunities for local authorities to work together, regionally and sub-regionally, to secure effective and efficient provision across local authority boundaries."

DCSF, DIUS and local authorities will work together to deliver the main points in Raising Expectations: enabling the system to deliver:

For 14-19 year olds:

• It will put local authorities firmly in the driving seat to deliver education and training for children and young people aged 0-19, supporting the Government's commitment to raising the participation age to 18 by 2015; 
• It will make local authorities responsible for delivering the full range of 14-19 entitlements including the new Diplomas, Apprenticeships and the Foundation Learning Tier; 
• Local authorities will be able to commission provision to meet demand from young people and employers. 
• Local authorities will work together with national agencies and the Regional Development Agency who will co-chair the regional level, to provide a coherent planning and funding system for FE colleges and providers.

For adult learners it will mean:

• the creation of a streamlined Skills Funding Agency, building on the success of the LSC, to route funding to FE colleges and other providers to meet the demands of employers and learners; 
• giving the Skills Funding Agency the lead role in sponsoring colleges and providers; 
• that the Agency will manage the creation and management of the new England-wide adult advancement and careers service, which will play a key role, with Jobcentre Plus, in boosting individual demand for skills and guiding people to the right training to meet their needs and help change their lives; and 
• that the Agency will eventually take over from the Learning and Skills Council the management of the new National Apprenticeship Service, with end-to-end responsibility for the Apprenticeships programme, including ultimate accountability for national delivery of targets.

The White Paper was presented to Parliament in Written Ministerial Statement by Ed Balls which is included in the press release.

Read press release
Sourced by Navidata

Back to main page | Back to news items

PRINTER FRIENDLY PAGE

Lifetime Training is a service provided by Business Link Lancashire   Terms & Conditions   Privacy Policy