DEPARTMENT FOR
INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS News Release (047/2008) issued
by The Government News Network on 30 July 2008
Plans to give
local authorities more say over the education of young people and
to streamline the adult skills system have received broad support,
Bill Rammell and Jim Knight announced today.
The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and the
Department for Children, Schools and Families have today published
two documents. The first, Raising Expectations: Enabling the
System to Deliver - Summary of the Events and Written Responses
summarises the responses to the 12-week consultation on the
proposed Machinery of Government reforms.
The second, Raising Expectations: Enabling the System to Deliver
- Update and Next Steps lays out the next steps following the
consultation and answers some of the most frequently asked
questions about the proposed new arrangements, including how the
new Skills Funding Agency and Young People's Learning Agency
will work together.
The responses to the consultation, which was launched in March,
will continue to be taken into account throughout the reform
process. These reforms will require legislation, which will be
included in the Education and Skills Bill (session four) due to be
published in draft later this year.
Bill Rammell, Minister for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher
Education, said:
"We want everyone to have the opportunity to improve their
skills, whether that is to get a job or get on at work. The
proposals we published in March will mean that the system is
better set up to meet the demands of both students and employers
and will build on the success of the Learning and Skills Council
who are currently taking forward the skills agenda.
"I am pleased that our proposals have been supported by the
sector. Today we have published some more detail on how we see our
proposals working in practice, something the sector has asked for.
We will continue to work with those with an interest in our
proposals so that we have a system which will help us to meet the
challenges we set ourselves in World Class Skills."
Welcoming the responses to the Machinery of Government
consultation, Schools Minister Jim Knight said:
"By giving funding directly to local authorities we are
ensuring that all young people will get the education or training
they need to get a good job and make the most of their talents.
But it is vital that this is done right, so that money gets to
where it is needed and local authorities are equipped to respond
to the needs of young people. That is why the responses to our
consultation will be an invaluable part of the process of making
these changes work.
"By 2010 every 16- and 17-year-old will have a vibrant and
exciting menu of options from Apprenticeships, to Diplomas, A
Levels and GCSEs. We are ensuring that young people can access the
right qualifications and courses to fulfil their potential."
After careful consideration of the options for the location of
the new agencies, which included an assessment of value for money,
ministers have decided that the national offices of both the
Skills Funding Agency and the Young People's Learning Agency
will be based in Coventry.
Notes to Editors
This press notice applies to England only.
1. Raising Expectations: Enabling the System to Deliver - Update
and Next Steps and Summary of the Events and Written Responses can
be viewed at http://www.dius.gsi.gov.uk
or http://www.dcsf.gsi.gov.uk.
2. Raising Expectations: Enabling the System to Deliver was
published on 17 March 2008 and the associated consultation ran for
12 weeks. It can be viewed at: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/consultations/downloadableDocs/Raising%20Expectations%20pdf.pdf
and the accompanying press notice at: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2008_0053
3. The consultation received 443 written responses, from a wide
range of groups and individuals. These responses were analysed
carefully and are being taken into account during the development
of plans to implement the Government's proposals.
4. In addition to the written consultation, The Department for
Innovation, Universities and Skills and the Department for
Children, Schools and Families also sought the views of
individuals and organisations at nine regional events held in May
2008. The feedback from these regional events was collected and
considered alongside the written responses.