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First £2,500,000 invested by LSIS in learning and skills sector to support innovation

23 Nov 2009 01:56 PM

Last week, the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) announces the 30 successful bidders to its Flexibility and Innovation Fund. The money will fund a diverse collection of projects that aim to secure significant improvements in sector practice or performance. Subject matters for each project are varied with some addressing environmental issues such as Coventry City College’s Planning for a low-carbon future, and others are more creatively inspired such as ‘Hair-i-tage Skills’ (from Salon Strategies). Other successful bids cover virtual learning in the workplace, the role and value of entrepreneurial and creative leadership and developing whole sector driven approaches in Skills for Life and community cohesion.

The Flexibility and Innovation Fund is a key plank in LSIS's new strategy to put the sector not just at the heart of improvement but also in charge of it, building on and utilising expertise already in the sector.

David Collins, LSIS chief executive says: "The bids to this fund not only demonstrate that there is clearly the expertise and the capacity within the sector to lead on self- improvement but also that there is an impressive level of creativity which can address the challenges facing the sector particularly as a result of the recession. LSIS looks forward to working with all the successful bidders to turn these impressive bids into reality and to disseminate the outcomes of these projects across the sector".

Dame Ruth Silver, LSIS chair says: "LSIS’s call for creativity and innovation from the sector has resulted in an inspiring and exciting range of bids. Furthermore, the fund is evidence of LSIS’s commitment to become a truly sector-owned body and to make the most effective use of its skills and expertise. No one knows better than this sector itself what is needed to meet the challenges facing it. These projects will take us forward to the next generation of our professional practice.”

There were 30 successful bids totalling £2.5million including collaborative bids from college and providers, sector networks and membership bodies.

The next bidding round is in February and June next year; criteria and advice for future bids will be available shortly on www.lsis.org.uk.

  View the 30 successful projects here