New skills strategy
December 1st 2010 Asset Skills has welcomed the
Government's new skills strategy which
looks set to keep employer input at the
core of training and vocational
qualifications development
Skills for Sustainable Growth and its parallel publication, Investing in
Skills for Sustainable Growth, were launched by Secretary of State
for Business Vince Cable and Skills Minister John Hayes.The
strategy sets out their vision for reform of the further education and
skills system in order to improve workforce skills, the performance of
the economy and engagement in learning.
Investing in Sustainable Growth outlines how Government seeks to
achieve its objectives through investing strategically in FE and skills
over this Spending Review period. Savings will have to be made, but
the Government understands the importance of maintaining high
levels of participation and performance and will continue to look to
Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) to ensure that Apprenticeship frameworks
and national occupational standards are updated to meet the needs
of the facilities management (FM) and cleaning industries in the face
of new market conditions and increasing competition.
Richard Beamish, chief executive of Asset Skills, the Sector Skills
Council for FM and cleaning, said: "We are encouraged by this
announcement. It shows the Government is recognising the role we
can play as an SSC in helping employers lead and influence change
on skills and training issues in their industry."
Further education, skills and lifelong learning minister John Hayes,
said: "The Government's skills strategy is one of the most important
documents yet published by the coalition Government.Helping
business and individuals gain the skills they need is vital to helping
the country gain economic strength and build sustainable growth in
the long term.
"Despite a reduction in the FE and skills budget,we are continuing
to protect and invest in programmes that provide the highest quality
and greatest benefit to the maximum number of people.Replacing
Train to Gain with funding for work place training prioritised on SMEs
will help employers with a small workforce train low-skilled staff.And
as we continue to expand apprenticeships and reinvigorate
community learning more people will be able to build their skills and
fulfil their potential.
"The acquisition of skills enables people to progress in learning and
work and delivers social benefits too. I want to see the development of
a culture of learning with individuals and employers driving forward
the skills system and contributing to the learning they receive."
The reform of the skills systems includes:
Expanding the numbers of adult apprenticeships available, so by
2014-15 there will be 75,000 more adults starting than under
previous plans; 200,000 adults will be able to start an
apprenticeship.The Government will invest £605 million in adult
apprenticeships in the 2011-12 financial year
Improving the apprenticeships package, so that level 3 (A Level
equivalent) becomes the level to achieve, and there are clear
progression pathways
Fully funded training for young adults aged from 19 up to 24
undertaking their first full level 2 (GCSE equivalent) or first level 3
qualification when they do not already have one;
Fully funded basic skills courses for individuals who left school
without basic reading,writing and mathematics
Protecting investment of £210 million in adult and community
learning, to support personal development, inclusive communities
and a route into formal learning for the disengaged
Introducing Government-backed loans from 2013-14 for learners
aged 24 and over undertaking level 3 or higher qualifications.This
will give people access to finance.They will not have to make their
contribution to costs of the course until they are reaping the
benefits of it and earning a decent wage
Initiating a demand-led growth and innovation fund of up to £50
million of government investment a year, to support employer-led
initiatives within sectors such as new professional standards, and to
promote leadership and management in small and medium
enterprises
Replacing Train to Gain with an SME focused programme to help
small employers train low-skilled staff
Helping people who are on active job-seeking benefits to secure
work through labour-market relevant training; and
Reducing bureaucracy in the sector.Colleges and training providers
will be freed from red tape so they can respond to the needs of
employers and learners.The complex funding system will be
simplified and from the 2011-12 academic year there will be a
single adult skills budget
A copy of Skills for Sustainable Growth and Investment for Sustainable
Growth is available to view on the BIS website: www.bis.gov.uk
/news/topstories/2010/Nov/Skills-for-sustainable-growth
The recent Spending Review set out that by 2014-15 the further
education resource budget will be reduced by 25 per cent. In the
2011-12 financial year, the Government plans to invest £3.7 billion in
further education and skills for post-19 learners supporting capacity
for over 3 million training places in the 2011/12 academic year funded
through the Skills Funding Agency.
The Skills Strategy says Sector Skills Councils will be expected to
"bring forward proposals for professional standards to the new
Growth and Innovation Fund and to feed in information to the Next
Step programme about careers options and the qualifications needed
for a career in each sector".
It supported national skills academies as an integral part of support
to sectors as specialist, employer-led delivery organisations.Many of
these would be as subsidiaries and delivery arms of their Sector Skills
Councils,working through networks of selected specialist providers to
develop and deliver tailored skills to meet employers'needs and
stimulate increased employer
investment. More articles from Asset Skills: | 
