157 Group looks forward to working within the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
8th June 2009
The 157 Group today welcomed the opportunity to work within the new Government Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
157 Executive Director, Lynne Sedgmore CBE said:
'The creation of the new Department provides an excellent opportunity to highlight the key role that Further Education plays in transforming society, delivering locally for communities and business and playing a leading role nationally in innovation'
'We look forward to working positively with Ministers and officials alike within the new Department to ensure that the skills agenda truly meets the needs of the nation through and out of the current economic crisis'
'Colleges are the ideal partners to ensure the Prime Minister's new vision for public services of "a fair society in which everyone has a fair chance to succeed"
'The 157 Group will seek to build a strong, and mutually respectful relationship with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, a relationship that we believe will add real value to learners, communities and the nation as a whole.'
Graham Moore OBE 157 Group Chair said:
'I look forward to working with Lord Mandelson on critical issues that affect the future of the Learning and Skills Sector. In this new enlarged department I urge the Secretary of State to ensure that the FE sector does not get lost among conflicting priorities.'
'As the country strives to find our way out of this recession, it is more important than ever that our colleges have freedom and trust to enable them to develop the skills and raise the aspirations of Britain's young people and wider workforce. 157 colleges are ready to step up to the challenge and look forward to engaging with Lord Mandelson on these crucial debates.'
Ends
For more information, please contact 157 Group Director of Policy and Development, Kat Fletcher on 07966 453 808 or kat.fletcher@157group.co.uk
Notes to editors:
- The 157 group represents 26 of the most influential Colleges in the FE sector.
- It was formed in 2006 in response to paragraph 157 of Sir Andrew Foster's report on the future of further education colleges in which he argued that principals of large successful colleges should play a greater role in policymaking.
