Home > News > February 2007 > 06 February 2007

Learner Account trials to start in September 2007

Learners in some parts of the South East and East Midlands will be the first to trial the Government's new Learner Accounts.

Trials to test the accounts will begin in September 2007 and up to 4,000 accounts will be available to help learners over 19 gain full Level 3 qualifications, including National Vocational Qualifications, A levels or BTEC National Diplomas.

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) says all learners with accounts will be able to call on independent advice and guidance to help them choose the right course and training provider to meet their needs. Once enrolled, students will receive an account statement setting out details of the learning, the costs of that learning and the contribution, if any, they are expected to make. As they approach the end of their learning programme they will be provided with details of further development opportunities to progress their learning.

Welcoming the trials Bill Rammell, minister of state for lifelong learning, further and higher education said: "We are moving to a further education and training system driven by employer and learner choices. We warmly welcome Lord Leitch's endorsement of our direction of travel on a demand-led system.

"With the new national employer training scheme Train to Gain and the development of Learner Accounts we are working towards our ambition to deliver truly world class skills to help us compete globally with the best in the world. These trials are an important step forward on that journey."

Mark Haysom, chief executive of the LSC, said: "We are committed to providing the most effective education and training system that meets the needs of all employers and individuals. These demand-led Learner Accounts will help to increase the choice of learning available at Level 3 and improve the achievement and satisfaction level of learners. Better skilled and more satisfied learners will in turn help us to create a more competitive workforce."

The LSC says Learner Accounts will be available through colleges of further education and other providers of high quality education and training who have satisfied the LSC's quality assurance process.

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