DIUS FE and Skills e-Newsletter

Ref: F87

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers, school sixth forms, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders (ie everyone in the FE system)

This week Ministers challenged colleges and providers to play a greater role in helping people and businesses deal with the current economic situation as they outlined how the Learning and Skills Council should invest its £12 billion Government-funded budget.

In the Grant Letter to the LSC, Secretaries of State John Denham and Ed Balls made it clear they want the Council's work to focus on:

• boosting greater participation in education and training, so more young people and adults are best placed to get and keep secure careers; and
• empowering colleges and providers to work more closely with businesses with urgent training needs.

The Statement of Priorities published alongside the Grant Letter provides more detail on the Government’s investment priorities for young people and adults and how the LSC will respond to these.

Contact:
Read the direct document
Read the grant letter 

Ref: F83

Audience:  FE college principals/governors, training providers, school sixth forms, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders (ie everyone in the FE system)

The roll out of the new Qualifications and Credit Framework will enable people to gain qualifications at their own pace, from a number of sources, in a way that suits them – and to carry the modules with them. By 2010 all key vocational qualifications will be approved by Sector Skills Councils and readily available to learners in small, credit-based units of learning.

This new modular approach to the way vocational qualifications are awarded will make them more relevant to the needs of employers and more flexible and accessible for learners, without compromising quality. Following a two-year pilot, there are now almost 1,000 qualifications on the prototype framework. The launch of the full QCF means that all qualifications will, in time, be available to learners on the QCF, in a unitised and credit-based way.

Ministers have also agreed that level 2 qualifications (equivalent to five good GCSEs) on the QCF should for now be made up of at least 13 credits - where SSCs agree this meets their sector's skill demands.

Contact: 
For information on the QCF www.qca.org.uk/qca_8150.aspx
Bringing employer and provider training into the QCF is a critical part of the reform work, for information on the Employer and Provider Recognition Programme www.qca.org.uk/recognition
For information on the Vocational Qualifications Reforms in England www.dius.gov.uk/vqreform

Ref: S20

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers, school sixth forms, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders (ie everyone in the FE system)

A radical new adult advancement and careers service will combine skills and training advice with practical guidance for people on how to overcome the barriers they face in getting on in life, Skills Secretary John Denham set out in a speech at the end of October.

Mr Denham said: "Everyone deserves the best chance to get on in work and in life - but that means overcoming the barriers in their way.

"Those barriers are different for everyone - whether finding suitable childcare, understanding employment rights, resolving problems with housing or transport."

Publishing a prospectus setting out how the new service will develop, Mr Denham announced the names and locations of ten prototype advancement partnerships across England whose work will inform the launch of the AACS in 2010.

To download the adult advancement and careers service prospectus please visit the DIUS website.

Contact:
Website: http://www.dius.gov.uk/press/AACS_301008.html

Ref: F84

Audience: Train to Gain brokers / staff working with employers, FE college principals/governors, training providers, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders

To help businesses in the current economic climate, we have introduced significant flexibilities and additions to the Train to Gain offer, particularly for SMEs. LSC is currently running a TV and media campaign to raise employer awareness of the changes, taking effect from January 2009.

Train to Gain colleges, training providers and brokers play a vital role in ensuring that employers know about the support available. Details of the new offer and campaign materials are available on the LSC website at http://www.lsc.gov.uk/providers/ttg/latest or contact your lead LSC office. Provider briefings are being organised in each region in December. Please see the attached letter for more details.

DIUS is also working with DWP and BERR to increase our practical support for employers and individuals in a wide range of ways. For a summary and easy access to all the ways in which DIUS and our partners can help businesses, please visit the new DIUS Business Gateway at http://www.dius.gov.uk/business.

Train to Gain website: http://www.traintogain.gov.uk

Ref: F76

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers, school sixth forms, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders (ie everyone in the FE system)

The FE and skills e-newsletter was launched in November 2007 and is now in its 14th edition with over 3500 subscribers. You are invited to tell us what you think of the newsletter, and offer suggestions for improvement. Please take a moment to complete our brief online survey by clicking on the link below. It should only take a couple of minutes and will help us to provide you the information that you are interested in. We look forward to hearing from you!

FE & skills e-newsletter evaluation

Contact:
Email: dius.communications@dius.gsi.gov.uk 

Ref: F89

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers, school sixth forms, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders (ie everyone in the FE system)

On 12 November John Denham wrote to college principals about the important role colleges can play in supporting their local communities and economies during the economic downturn. The letter provides examples of activity already happening and invites principals to offer further ideas of what more could be done to help business and individuals. Responses should be sent to denham.ps@dius.gsi.gov.uk  

Contact:
Read the letter to college principals

 Ref: F77

Audience: Governors and boards, senior managers and those with strategic performance-management roles in organisations across the FE system.

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and the new Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) have produced this guidance as a ‘refresh’ to previous self-assessment publications. This is in response to the significant changes in policy and practice that have occurred in the further education (FE) system.

Ofsted has worked in partnership with the LSC and LSIS to develop this guidance. This is indicative of a shared commitment to drive forward standards in self-assessment. Ofsted views self-assessment as pivotal for quality improvement and sees this guidance as both timely and necessary. The guidance can be downloaded from the LSC website.

Contact:
Download the guidance
Ph: 0870 162 0632 (LSIS)
Ph:  0845 0114170 (LSC)

Ref: F78

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers, school sixth forms, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders (ie everyone in the FE system)

The fourth edition of the 16-18 and post 19 funding transfer bulletin is now available by following this link: http://www.dius.gov.uk/policy/raising_expectations.html  

Contact:
Website: http://www.dius.gov.uk/policy/raising_expectations.html  

Ref: S21

Audience:  FE college principals/governors, training providers, school sixth forms, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders, all with an interest in skills for employment – as users or providers, skills for life practitioners, teachers, support staff and anyone with an interest in literacy or numeracy, union learning reps, employers, voluntary organisations who work with the unemployed

Skills Accounts are a flexible, personalised offer which empower individuals to have more choice over the skills they acquire while providing support through access to a range of services. They give individuals increased purchasing power through a ‘Skills voucher’ representing their funding entitlement which is redeemable at an accredited provider of their choice. Individuals can also access personalised careers advice through Nextstep and the Careers Advice Service (from 2010 through the new adult advancement and careers service).

Since September, individuals in the south east and east midlands have been opening accounts through partner colleges. From November, individuals in these regions will also be able to open and manage accounts online or through careers advice services. The Skills Accounts offer for Jobcentre Plus clients will soon be trialled through the Integrating Employment and Skills trials.

Following national trials, incorporating links with Train to Gain and apprenticeships provision, roll-out commences in 2010.

Contact: 
Email: Olivia.dorricott@dius.gsi.gov.uk

Ref: F86

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers, school sixth forms, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders (ie everyone in the FE system) 

In John Denham's address to the Association of Colleges conference on Tuesday 18 November 2008 in Birmingham, he covered topics including the economic downturn, Government investment strategy (LSC grant letter 09-10), train to gain and colleges and innovation.  To read the full speech please visit the DIUS website.

Contact:
Read the full speech

Ref: F85

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers national partners/stakeholders

Last week (10-16 November)

A hectic week of activity took place as part of Colleges Week. Colleges participated all over the country, and came up with some really good ideas to involve businesses and their communities: there were 52 business breakfasts; at least 86 skills challenges; four open days; and an awards ceremony. Ministers were actively engaged: John Denham attended a business breakfast at Conel with over 90 employers; Lord Young attended a business breakfast and skills challenge at Barnfield College, Luton; Sion Simon visited Mid-Kent, South Cheshire, Reaseheath; York and Askham Bryan colleges. The week has generated 313 items of publicity so far in national, regional press, trade press, on radio and in on-line. We're still collating all of the reporting and will provide a more complete analysis in the next edition.

Contact:
Website: www.collegesweek.org  

Ref: S22

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers, school sixth forms, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders (ie everyone in the FE system)

A report recently published by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) London region 'What has learning ever done for us? The impact of learning on London', shows how learners and employers are benefiting from the governments investment in skills training.

The good news is that people who pursue publicly funded learning programmes in London are succeeding in gaining the skills and qualifications that employers need. As a result, they are entering employment, progressing up the career ladder and moving onto higher levels of learning.

Learning is helping many people who are furthest from the labour market to come off benefits and gain employment. The research showed that of 2,700 unemployed learners, the proportion on benefits reduced from 88% before the FE course to 53% after.

Meanwhile, employers using the Train to Gain service are reporting a range of business benefits, including increased competitiveness and profitability, improved staff retention and skilled workforce.

To access the report please visit the LSC website. 

Contact:
Email: Gareth.Ashcroft@LSC.gov.uk  
Ph: 020 7904 0782

Ref: F81

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers, school sixth forms, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders, all with an interest in skills for employment – as users or providers, skills for life practitioners, teachers, support staff and anyone with an interest in literacy or numeracy, union learning reps, employers, voluntary organisations who work with the unemployed

‘Raising skills and improving life chances through volunteering’ launched last week by Volunteering England to help celebrate national Colleges’ Week, is a toolkit to highlight the fantastic ways that colleges engage with and support their local communities and transform the lives of learners through the development of student volunteering.

Association of Colleges Assistant Chief Executive and Policy Director, Maggie Scott, explains the thinking behind why these colleges have become passionate about student volunteering. “Student volunteering in F.E. provides a valuable new learning environment, contributes to the skills agenda and facilitates greater economic contributions of colleges; increasing retention, achievement and skills as well as having a life changing impact on the lives of learners and the local economy.”

Principals, student service managers and student liaison officers will receive a copy of the toolkit next week. To order or download your free copy, visit: www.volunteeringengland.org/fetoolkit.

Contact:
Website: www.volunteeringengland.org/fetoolkit  
Ph: 020 7520 8927 (Anna Day) or 0845 305 6979
Email: anna.day@volunteeringengland.org

Ref: F82

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers, school sixth forms, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders, all with an interest in skills for employment – as users or providers, skills for life practitioners, teachers, support staff and anyone with an interest in literacy or numeracy

Bottles of lemonade, a controversial Beatles song and holiday sun cream are being enlisted to help school children understand how new medicines are developed. 

The ingredients are part of a new set of classroom resources for students and teachers of clinical research launched by the UK Clinical Research Collaboration. They are designed to help deliver some of the core aspects of science curricula in use across the UK at key stage 3 and beyond, engaging children with the subject and inspiring more of them to take up a career in research.  They also address themes in other curricula including citizenship, history, biology and environmental studies.

They include an online ‘patient journey’ of a volunteer taking part in a clinical trial for a new medicine and a range of classroom activities to download covering subjects such as risk factors of disease; detection and diagnosis; clinical trials; and development of new vaccines.  

Contact:
More information is available at: http://www.ukcrc.org
Materials are available at: http://www.centreofthecell.org
Email: info@ukcrc.org 
Ph:  020 7670 5452

Ref: F83

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers, school sixth forms, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders (ie everyone in the FE system)

Don't forget to submit your entries for the DIUS Christmas e-card competition. The winning card will be circulated with the December edition of this newsletter and the winning entrant and a staff member from the relevant organisation will be invited to have lunch in the House of Lords and to visit one of our partners such as the Design Council or The Space Centre.

The deadline for e-card entries is Friday 21st November 2008. Completed entries should be emailed to: dius.communications@dius.gsi.gov.uk.  To view last year’s winning e-card from Matthew Boulton College please visit the DIUS website. For further information see the full article in the September edition of this newsletter.

Contact:
Email: dius.communications@dius.gsi.gov.uk