Education and training for 16-19 year olds is a key focus point for the Government. From the challenge posed by Leitch to the myriad statistics comparing our learning standards to those of other countries with whom we compete for work, there are plenty of reasons why this focus is here to stay.
Learning needs to relate to need, and economic need at that. If UK plc is to compete effectively, from accountancy to zoo-keeping, professional and vocational training needs to be driven by the needs of the workplace.
Helping you to succeed
As a response to this that we have seen two key changes in the machinery of Government:
- The Departmental responsibility for 16-19 has moved to the new Department for Business Innovation & Skills, uniting the previous briefs of the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform and the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills, and so drawing Government’s focus on skills, closer to its focus on industry
- Responsibility for planning and managing 16-19 provision and funding will move from April 2010 from the Learning & Skills Council to the relevant Local Authority.
Local Authorities can then improve the focus of learner provision on local and business needs, as well as tying it in to wider approaches under Every Child Matters. The links each Local Authority will develop with BIS and others will facilitate a National cohesion that probably wasn’t present prior to 1992, when the LSC was born.
The transfer to Local Authorities offers great opportunities, but there are significant risks if the transfer does not go smoothly.
Project Transform services
A planned approach to getting organised guided by experienced professionals. Visit our Project Transform page for details.
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