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Education and Skills Report

By TJ (03-08-2007)
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Learning and Development News - Education and Skills Report

In its report on Post-16 Skills published earlier this week, the Education and Skills committee, while supportive of the principles behind Train to Gain, raises serious concerns about its implementation.

Concerns include:

  • Unduly restrictive funding for Train to Gain prevents employers from having real choices, and the inclusion of skills brokers adds extra, unwelcome bureaucracy to the scheme.
  • Train to Gain may be subsidising training that employers would otherwise have paid for themselves.
  • Emphasising training alone is not enough. Urgent support for employers is needed to address skills needs.
  • Complexity of the skills system caused by overlap between skills agencies is a problem.
  • The current system is confusing to learners and advice and guidance needs to be simplified.

The Chairman of the Education and Skills Committee, Mr Barry Sheerman MP, said:

"We very much welcome the increased focus on skills, but some crucial issues need addressing if the Government's high ambitions are going to be realised. More 'demand-led' learning is a good idea in principle, but it is not currently being translated into practice. It is vital that we get skills policy right."

Commenting on the Education and Skills Committee's report TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'The Education and Skills Committee rightly calls for a more coherent skills system to give the workforce tailored training opportunities.'

He added that the report 'echoes the TUC's belief in the importance of meeting the training needs of the most disadvantaged groups in the workforce, especially older workers, disabled learners and people requiring English language tuition.'

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