The 157 Group has responded to today’s ministerial appointments, following the election of a Conservative government last Thursday.
Dr Lynne Sedgmore CBE, executive director of the 157 Group, said, “We welcome the appointment of Sajid Javid as Business Secretary and are particularly pleased to welcome to this important role someone who has previous experience working on FE policy. We hope that the Secretary of State’s time as PPS to John Hayes, as well as his own days as a student at what is now South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, will have convinced him of the vital role of Further Education Colleges in strengthening the skills landscape of the United Kingdom.
“It is also good that BIS is being led by a high profile politician with the chance to influence thinking within the Treasury, and we look forward to working with the new Secretary of State to argue the case for continued public investment in, and additional freedoms for, Further Education.
“We are pleased to see Nick Boles continuing in his role as Minister for Skills – over the past ten months we have developed a very positive relationship with the Minister and it is good to see the continuity and stability which his appointment represents. The new government has set out a clear vision for the future expansion of Apprenticeships and for a significant change to the way in which our skills system is viewed, and Colleges are ready to work with the new ministerial team to achieve the best outcomes for both learners and employers.
“The biggest challenge for Nicky Morgan, as she continues her role at the Department for Education, will be addressing the imbalance of funding between what happens in schools and what happens in Colleges. We are keen to explore with the new government how a fair and durable funding settlement for the whole education system can be arrived at, and we have already written to the new ministerial team to explore how Colleges can be best positioned and supported to do their vital work.”