Key implications for funding for Skills for Life programmes and an opportunity for you to give feedback on the latest LSC proposals
‘Priorities for Success’ is a newly published LSC document that outlines changes to the planning and funding of the Further Education sector. You can access the full document on the LSC website.
At the NRDC national Skills for Life conference held in York on the 1st of November, Anita Hallam of the Learning and Skills Council National Office identified the following paragraphs as being of particular relevance to funding for Skills for Life programmes:
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Paragraph 5 Skills for life programmes are still a priority for funding
Paragraph 6 Reiterates entitlement to free learning for adults with basic skills needs
Paragraph 49 Redirection of public funding to Level 2 and Skills for Life provision
Paragraph 54 Very short Skills for Life programmes should be part of larger programmes with a qualification outcome
Paragraphs 58-62 This section deals specifically with Skills for Life and covers a range of key proposals, including:
- removal of funding from provision of poor quality
- a reduction in the volume of short course provision of three and six guided learning hours
- the incorporation of initial and diagnostic assessments into longer programmes
- a shift towards nationally approved qualifications
- fees for external candidates who access stand-alone basic skills national tests
The proposals are expected to generate savings of £16m per year.
Funding for learndirect programmes will continue to receive substantial investment and will continue to be short-course based. Funding will not be available for learners undertaking stand-alone national tests where they are not enrolled on a learndirect Skills for Life course.
You can find a document containing the relevant paragraphs in Downloads.
The LSC would like feedback on the proposals by 25th November. I foyu would like to give feedback, email prioritiesforsuccessfeedback@lsc.gov.uk
