The 157 Group welcome the challenging and valuable advice from UKCES in their latest report "Towards Ambition 2020 skills, jobs, growth"
5th November 2009
05/11/2009
The report acknowledges the pivotal role of colleges in the skills agenda alongside the significance of raising employer ambition; there is also a clear recognition of the importance of focusing resources and investment in front line services to the benefit of learners.
Frank McLoughlin Chair of the 157 group said:
'In particular we welcome the reports shift in leadership thinking from central control and top down measurement and accountability to a sector led and sector designed approach based in trust, empowerment and the introduction of systems which enable the learner and customer to ensure quality, responsiveness and choice.'
The 157 group is in full support of the simplification of the skills system, the emphasis on reducing costs and improving efficiency at national levels, and not affecting the front line. We believe the report is correct in stating that colleges need to grow not diminish, particularly in the context of the current economic challenge.
As a group 157 are in favour of funding following the learner and we support a move to personal learner accounts but within a process that ensures its effectiveness without increasing central administration costs.
Lynne Sedgmore Executive Director of the 157 Group said:
'Our members are keen to explore the proposed measurements, as a new overarching tool that replaces existing scorecards, as they have the potential to bring about a powerful customer led way to ensure accountability and to raise standards. We are already in discussion with the commission to ascertain how the 157 group can lead and support the next stage of development and pilot implementation.'
157 would like the report to have been more radical on raising the game of employers in 'co-investing' in skills, the alignment of funding for HE and FE, how being accountable to communities and self funding of the sector skills council.
Overall we welcome this brave and radical report which adds significant value to improving the skills system to achieve the UK world class vision in difficult economic times. 157 can add major value to the next stage of the debate and we are keen to do so.
Ends
For more information, please contact 157 Group Director of Policy and Development, Kat Fletcher on 07966 453 808 or
[email protected]
Notes to editors:
The 157 group represents 27 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.
Previous Article Outstanding FE Staff recognised in honours list
Next Article The 157 Group publishes its first Annual Review
