Home > News > March 2004 > 30-Mar-2004

LSC creates new diversity committee

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has started the search for members of a newly established committee to help create opportunity for all in education and training. The LSC has created the new committee to ensure that equality and diversity issues receive high level consideration and expertise. It will be headed by LSC National Council member Shirley Cramer who is also Chief Executive of the Dyslexia Institute. Cramer will be responsible for overseeing the recruitment of the 12 new members of the committee.

The decision to create a new group of expertise will put equality and diversity at the heart of both the LSC structure and its activities. The committee will report twice yearly to National Council, in the same way as the two existing statutory committees on Adult Learning and Young People's Learning. Although the new equality and diversity committee will not have the same legal status as those committees, it will be equal in terms of accountability and its position within the organisation.

Under the Learning and Skills Act 2000 the LSC is responsible for promoting equality in the areas of race, gender and disability. It also takes account of other relevant legislation such as the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, Disability Discrimination Act and recent European Regulations. The committee's main task will be to advise and monitor progress in meeting that responsibility of promoting equality and diversity.

Cramer said: "I am delighted that we are creating this Equality and Diversity committee. It shows the importance that the LSC is putting on the work we are doing to remove barriers and create opportunities for people who want to learn. I am looking forward to seeing who will come forward to join us in our work."

The LSC has always worked in partnership on equality and diversity issues, regularly taking advice and comments from many partner organisations. A 12-week public consultation process is just ending on the 2004-2007 strategy for equality and diversity. The final strategy, following that process, is due to be published in the Summer. In addition to public consultation, there has always been an equality and diversity advisory group which meets quarterly to discuss key issues relevant to the learning and skills agenda. This group will however disband once the new committee is in post.

The advertisements for the 12 unpaid posts will be published in a series of specially targeted media in addition to the LSC's website and existing partner networks. The LSC is looking for people with expertise in all aspects of equality and diversity work from age, disability, gender, race, religious belief and sexual orientation. In addition applicants will be expected to have a background at least one of the following: human rights, human resources, voluntary and community sector, business, employment, training or post-16 education. The committee will meet six times per year and appointments are generally made for two to four years.

"I urge anyone who may think this could be a role for them to look out for the adverts we will publish soon and to apply to join us, " said Cramer. "We need individuals from different walks of life with a diverse range of experience and expertise to ensure we make the best decisions for all learners."

Further information

The LSC publishes an Annual Report on Equality and Diversity, the latest report for 2002-2003 ‘Moving Forward' is available at www.lsc.gov.uk

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