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Phil Hope announces expansions of National Skills Academy network

By TJ (15-06-2007)
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Learning and Development News - Phil Hope announces expansions of National Skills Academy network

Skills Minister Phil Hope today announced that National Skills Academies from the following four sectors:

  • sport and active leisure
  • retail
  • glass manufacture, coatings, print, and building products
  • fashion, textiles, and jewellery

will now go forward into the business planning stage, bringing the total number of sectors involved in this employer-led network to 12.  National Skills Academies provide vocational education and training which is tailor made to meet the specific needs of industry sectors and those who work in them.

To date, the Government has approved National Skills Academies for the Construction, Financial Services, Manufacturing, and Food and Drink Manufacturing industries. The second round of National Skills Academies for the Nuclear, Process Industries, Creative and Cultural, and Hospitality sectors are currently at the business planning stage and, if approved, will become operational later this year.

The aim is to have up to 12 academies operational by 2008. The Government is investing £90 million in the programme, which will be delivered through the Learning and Skills Council working with employers and Sector Skills Councils. 

Phil Hope, speaking at the launch of the Skills Pledge, said:  "National Skills Academies are starting to transform vocational training sector by sector.  They are giving employers a unique opportunity to shape curriculum and delivery in return for investing in academies.  It is good news that four more organisations are now on their way to joining the growing network of operational National Skills Academies and those heading for completion of their business plans".

Employers are at the heart of the development of the National Skills Academy programme, giving them a real say in how they are run, including:

  • influencing the curriculum to ensure it reflects their needs
  • setting standards
  • determining what network of providers they want to work with
  • getting involved in the management of the academies
  • shaping their strategic direction.

Employers will also part fund National Skills Academies, providing capital investment as well as equipment know-how and industry insight. Employer sponsorship will fund about 50% of the capital costs of a National Skills Academy with a further 35% coming from the Government and the remainder from other sources such as European funding.

Each Skills Academy develops a bespoke model that reflects the needs of its sector. The varied models will include state of the art centres, linked networks of providers in further and higher education, on-site delivery of training and e-learning materials for flexible learning.

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