Home > News > June 2007 > 27 June 2007

LSC appoints three new members to its National Council

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) have announced the appointment of three new members from the world of business, schools and Higher Education to the LSC's National Council.

The new members are:

• John Cridland CBE: deputy director-general of the CBI
• Malcolm Trobe, outgoing president of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), headteacher of Malmesbury School, Wiltshire
• Professor Deian Hopkin, vice chancellor of London South Bank University

Congratulating the three on their appointment, LSC chair, Chris Banks said: "I am delighted to welcome John, Malcolm and Deian to the National Council. As members of the Council, they will play a vital role in helping the LSC to shape a world

class learning and skills system for England that meets the skills and training demands of employers and learners.

"They will also play a key part in supporting the LSC's drive to continue to simplify and streamline its operations for the benefit of the providers we fund, our partners and ultimately for the benefit of the learners, employers and communities we serve.

"In this way, they will have an opportunity to make a real and positive difference to the lives of over 5 million learners over the age of 16; and to thousands of businesses across England ".

Commenting on his appointment, John Cridland said: "Skills are vital to the UK 's productivity and competitiveness. Skill and qualification levels have improved greatly over the past few years, but this same rate of progress will not be enough if the UK is to continue to thrive in an increasingly competitive global context.

"As a new member of the Council, I am therefore looking forward to working with the LSC to help it deliver its part in meeting this skills challenge. In particular, by helping to raise awareness about the business benefits of skills to employers; and also helping to ensure that the training the LSC funds, delivers what employers actually want."

Malcolm Trobe said: "As a new member of the National Council, I hope I can bring to bear my experience as president of the Association of School and College Leaders; and also as a headteacher, in order to support and advise the LSC.

"I am particularly keen to work with the LSC to build collaboration with the schools' sector so that together we can ensure young people have a wide range of opportunities to acquire the skills and qualifications they need to get on in work and in life."

On his appointment professor Deian Hopkin, said: "These are exciting times to join the LSC, at a time when the skills challenge for the UK has been so clearly spelt out by the Leitch Review.

"It has been encouraging to see so many learners progressing from Further Education to University, not only through traditional A level routes but also through a range of vocational and work-based learning provision. The new 14-19 Diplomas will add a rich dimension to that provision."

"As a member of the LSC National Council I want to help the LSC to continue strengthening the crucial links between Further and Higher Education in order to extend educational opportunities much further, and to raise the level of skills in this country".

Alan Johnson, secretary of state for education said: "Skills are key to this country's productivity and competitiveness. The Government is committed to ensuring that businesses can recruit and retain individuals with the skills they need for their success and that individuals have the skills they need to get on in work and in life.

"The LSC has a crucial role making sure we have a learning and skills system that provides the training and qualifications that both employers and individuals need. The knowledge, expertise and experience of the new Council members will strengthen further the LSC's capacity to make a difference to our economy and people's lives."

The new members will take up their posts from September 2007 and will be appointed for a three year period.

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Learning and Skills Council

Department for Education and Skills

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