The Government has published a White Paper on further education. The White Paper includes the Government’s response to the Foster report, and confirms the Government’s intention for FE colleges to concentrate on providing key skills and vocational education. It is hoped that this will improve the UK’s poor international record for pupils’ staying-on rate after 16.

The White Paper is obviously driven by a focus on economic prosperity and efforts to increase social mobility. It states:

“By 2008 the measures set out in this White Paper will have led to real benefits for learners and employers. Amongst these:

·        young people will be benefiting from five new specialised Diplomas, with all 14 Diplomas available nationwide by 2013;

·        adults will be benefiting from the first stages of a clearer, simpler, qualifications framework, designed by employers and fully implemented from 2010;

·        19-25 year-olds will be benefiting from a new entitlement to free tuition for their first full Level 3 qualification, which will be extended over time as the new qualification framework is introduced, to cover the lower level courses that provide the best stepping stones through to Level 3;

·        adults in pilot regions will be benefiting from a learning account giving them funds towards the cost of a Level 3 course at a provider of their choice, together with information and advice tailored to their needs;

·        employers throughout the country will be benefiting from training delivered in the workplace, by a provider of their choosing, delivered to suit their operational needs. Training for basic skills and Level 2 will be free, and there will be access to Level 3 and HE.

In addition by 2008 there will be a new dynamism within the system:

·        All FE colleges will have a clear economic mission, specialising in areas of distinctive excellence. Standards will be improved by strong specialist networks across colleges and training providers.

·        New high quality providers will be encouraged to enter the FE sytem to drive up standards, raise innovation, and expand the range of training available. The LSC will have stopped funding any inadequate colleges, providers or departments, levering up standards through radical change such as merger or federation with another stronger college, or a change in leadership.

·        There will be much closer collaboration between schools and colleges, with 14-19 pupils able to study courses in the institution best placed to meet their needs and interests. There will be a closer relationship between colleges and universities, with easy progression from Level 3 onto Foundation Degrees, and from there onto honours degree courses.”

We welcome the Government’s commitment to “provide a stronger and growing Sixth Form College sector”. We hope that Sixth Form Colleges can become centres of excellence which provide more education for 14-16 year olds.

The CES will be consulting widely on the implications for the White Paper. Any comments can be sent to Peter Walsh, pwalsh@cesew.org.uk, 0207 901 4854.