Learning
VSA Learning Representative: Julie Wilson Thomas
Life in the learning world is more hectic and busy than usual. There have been major changes in the Government departments. In June 2007 the Government divided the DfES and created the new-
• DCSF- Department for Children, Schools and Families with responsibility for children's services, families, schools, 14-19 education, and the Respect Taskforce.
• DIUS- Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. The new Department is delivering the Government’s long-term vision to make Britain one of the best places in the world for science, research and innovation. The aim is to ensure that the UK has the skilled workforce it needs to compete in the global economy.
For us in adult and community learning, we now come under DIUS. There are yet more changes in the pipeline regarding the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). A new body will replace the LSC in 2010. The LSC have now had a few years of Government restructuring and change which I am not convinced was a good idea.
I personally miss the closer working relationships and support we had a few years ago and thank the LSC staff, who have coped so well in such an every changing climate.
It is not only Government bodies that are changing, in recent years we saw the implementation of the flagship funding streams of 14-19 Strategy, Apprentices and Train To Gain, all very worthy and important strategies we will all agree.
However, there have been difficulties in funding for us in the Adult and Community (ACL) world.
My own organisation HELP, has been struggling and lobbying hard to try to raise awareness with Ministers and the National LSC and to try influence policy change regarding mainstream funding for adults in non college Skills for Life provision.
It has sometimes been a difficult task and with some, made me a tad unpopular but the simple fact of the matter was that the money available to tender for our learners was limited and reducing. This was happening over several years and we had to cut learner numbers, meaning learners lost their service and suffered.
As a charity we have a duty to care and to lobby on behalf of our learners and beneficiaries and this is exactly what we have been doing, we make no apology for that, it’s what we are here for!
You can read my full report by downloading it below. To reach related documents which I highly recommend please click here.
Please contact Peter Ding at Herefordshire Council on 01432 260637 for more information or contact me through the VSA admin@thevsa.org.uk
