Plans Published To Raise Particpation Age
LSC to be abolished in major shake up
The Government today set out the details of the transfer of £7 billion to local authorities to help colleges and sixth forms deliver the reforms needed to raise the education and training leaving age to 18.
At the same time the Government will direct £4 billion a year through a new agency to provide training and skills for adults. The intention is to transform the system to be responsive and demand-led.
The plans will mean the dissolution of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) by 2010 and instead make local authorities responsible for offering all young people in their area a full menu of choices - both the new Diplomas and Apprenticeships alongside GCSEs and A levels.
The DCSF, DIUS and local authorities will work together to deliver the main points set out in the White Paper.
For 14-19 year olds:
- It will put local authorities firmly in the driving seat to deliver education and training for children and young people aged 0-19, supporting the Government’s commitment to raising the participation age to 18 by 2015;
- It will make local authorities responsible for delivering the full range of 14-19 entitlements including the new Diplomas, Apprenticeships and the Foundation Learning Tier;
- Local authorities will be able to commission provision to meet demand from young people and employers.
- Local authorities will work together with national agencies and the Regional Development Agency who will co-chair the regional level, to provide a coherent planning and funding system for FE colleges and providers.
For adult learners it will mean:
- the creation of a streamlined Skills Funding Agency to route funding to FE colleges and other providers to meet the demands of employers and learners;
- giving the Skills Funding Agency the lead role in sponsoring colleges and providers
- the new Agency managing the creation of the new England-wide adult advancement and careers service, which will play a key role, with Jobcentre Plus, in boosting individual demand for skills and guiding people to the right training to meet their needs and help change their lives; and
- the new Agency eventually taking over from the Learning and Skills Council the management of the new National Apprenticeship Service, with end-to-end responsibility for the Apprenticeships programme, including ultimate accountability for national delivery of targets.
The White Paper was presented to Parliament in Written Ministerial Statement by Ed Balls.
He said, “We want every 16 and 17 year old to participate in education and training. And we want every adult to have the chance to improve their skills to get a job, a better job, or have a more successful economic life.
“The key proposals in the document will help to deliver our ambition to raise the participation age and transform attainment by age 19 and underpin our aim of a demand led system and the integration of employment and skills.
“The consultation document sets out how for young people, we aim to place leadership of the system, accountability for outcomes, duties and the funding to deliver, at a local level - local authorities will have the responsibility and duties to deliver for everyone from birth to 19.”
The White Paper is now out for consultation and comments must be submitted by Monday 9 June 2008.
