Home > News > March 2006 > 28-Mar-2006

Government publishes FE White Paper

The Government’s new White Paper, 'Further Education: Raising Skills, Improving Life Chances', was published yesterday.

The White Paper includes the government’s response to Sir Andrew Foster’s report on the future role of FE colleges.

Launching the White Paper in the Commons yesterday, education secretary Ruth Kelly said: "We have much to be proud of in our further education system. We have many excellent colleges and training providers and success rates are rising fast.

"Over a million people have been helped to improve their basic literacy, numeracy and language skills. Since 1997, the number of post-16 learners has grown from 4 million to 6 million. We have increased investment in colleges by 48% between 1997 and 2006. But we are still falling short of where we need to be. Improving the skills of young people and adults is one of the biggest strategic challenges facing our country.

"For a modern, competitive and just economy our aspirations should be for all young people to be in education and training, for all adults to be able to continue gaining new and valuable skills and for all employers to see training as an essential investment in their workforces."

The DfES says the White Paper addresses the twin challenges of widening participation in FE among young people and adults and upskilling the workforce. It includes a range of specific reforms that are aimed at making the FE sector more responsive to the needs of learners and employers. These include:

* The introduction of free education for 19-25 year-olds studying for their first Level 3 qualification (two ‘A’ Levels or equivalent)

* New Adult Learning Grants designed to provide a weekly maintenance allowance for adults on low incomes (19 and above) studying for Level 2 (5 GCSEs A*-C or equivalent) or Level 3 qualifications.

* A new £11 million programme that aims to encourage the recruitment and development of the FE workforce of the future

* The LSC to end funding for failing colleges, providers or departments, encouraging changes such as mergers or federation with another stronger college

* Trials of a new learner accounts programme for learners at Level 3 designed to give them technician, skilled trade and associate professional qualifications, subsidising the cost of courses at a provider of their choice, together with tailored information and advice.

Sir Digby Jones, CBI director-general, said: "Constant upskilling and retraining will be the hallmark of a competitive economy in the 21st Century. The Government must put employability at the heart of Further Education if it wants to help business to compete, and equip people to enjoy fulfilling and varied careers.

"Ensuring colleges focus on the needs of employers will help banish the identity crisis about their role they have suffered for too long – and the introduction of limited competition to the sector is a positive step towards delivering the flexible, high quality training that has too often been lacking."

Paul Head, principal of the College of North East London, was involved in the consultations leading up to the White Paper. He said: "Further Education provides essential and valuable training for millions of young people and adults, but it rarely receives the attention it deserves. Today's White Paper demonstrates a welcome new level of commitment to the sector from the Government.

"The White Paper poses a number of significant challenges for FE. We must accept the need for reform. That is essential if our colleges are to provide the training and skills needed for this country to compete on the world stage. I am confident colleges will rise to the challenge. Doing nothing is not an option."

Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary, said: "This White Paper is a welcome boost for employees who want to advance their careers through improved skills and training. And it quite rightly puts colleges at the centre of a strategy for economic growth, and it still maintains their crucial social role.

"I am pleased to see that the Government continues to recognise the role of unions in learning and skills. This is a tribute to the outstanding work of our union learning representatives. These reps involve large numbers of workers in training, and their efforts will be further advanced by the new union learning organisation the TUC will launch next month. This white paper gives more employees opportunities to learn at work, and recognises the importance of extra resources for FE colleges and staff support."

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) welcomed the Further Education Reform White Paper as a significant step towards driving up the economic prosperity for this country. Chris Banks, chairman of the LSC said: "The White Paper heralds the start of a new era for Further Education. It sets out a role and focus for the sector which sees it firmly positioned as the backbone of England's economy. The LSC and the sector already have a proven record of success. This White Paper will help us all accelerate progress by allowing the expansion of excellent provision, encouraging new providers into the market and reducing poor provision, thereby providing greater choice and higher standards of learning for learners and employers.

"This is also a once in a generation opportunity to challenge the traditional stereotype of vocational training being 'second-best'; and to demonstrate the economic and social rewards it brings. Vocational learning is critical to the success of individuals, businesses and communities across the country."

Sir Andrew Foster said: "I am pleased to welcome many of the proposals in the White Paper as I think it gives a strong focus on skills and employability that my report argues for. I am very pleased with the emphasis on learners and employers views.

"The increased investment and new entitlements are very timely. It is now critical that the DfES and LSC follow through with a determined implementation plan that simplifies the system and reduces regulation.

"Much work needs to be done to strengthen workforce development. The prize for all of this is high for learners and the economy”.

External link

The White Paper can be viewed online at: www.dfes.gov.uk/furthereducation

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