Home > News > March 2008 > 18 March 2008

Government publishes white paper on the delivery of adult and young people's skills

The government has set out its plans to transfer £7 billion to local authorities to deliver the reforms it says are needed to raise the education and training leaving age to 18.

At the same time the government proposes to direct £4 billion a year through a new agency to provide training and skills for adults.

The plans will mean the dissolution of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) by 2010 and instead make local authorities responsible for offering young people in their area a range of choices including the new Diplomas and apprenticeships alongside GCSEs and A levels.

The proposals are published by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills in a White Paper, 'Raising Expectations: Enabling the System to Deliver'.

Secretary of state for children, schools and families, Ed Balls, said: "We want every 16 and 17 year old in the country to stay on in education or training so that they get a better job, have the chance to earn more and can make the most of their talents. Local authorities will play a key role in making this happen.

"Young people will have a variety of good quality courses and qualifications to choose from in 2010, whether that is an Apprenticeship, a Diploma or A levels and GCSEs.

"Local Authorities are in the best place to respond to the needs of young people locally. So by giving them responsibility for the funding we are putting the final pieces in place to ensure they can offer this choice. They are already responsible for schools, are taking responsibility for advising young people and are being given new duties to ensure that the right range of provision is in place for young people to continue in education and training until 19.

"We are committed to revolutionising the education system so that it delivers for all young people whatever their interests or abilities. There must be something available for everyone whichever part of the country they live in. We are confident that young people will want to take full advantage of the exciting choices available to them."

John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation Universities and Skills, said: "We want every adult to have the opportunity to improve their skills to get a job or progress in work and to help them realise their own aspirations and talents. The proposals in today's consultation paper will help us to build on the great success of the LSC who are currently taking forward the skills agenda.

"If we are to meet the targets we set out in World Class Skills then we need a FE and skills system which is even more flexible and responsive to both learners and employers. The new Skills Funding Agency will ensure that government funding responds to employer's and adults' skills needs and supports excellence in the FE sector."

Commenting on the White Paper, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: "Many of the proposed reforms, such as giving local authorities a greater strategic role for young people, should help more employees get the skills they need. But with two in five workers still not getting any regular training at work, this organisational reform must not divert attention from the wider skills challenge - getting more employers to offer quality apprenticeships and training opportunities."

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Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills

Department for Children, Schools and Families

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