Further Education Minister welcomes completion of fees review
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills commissioned Christopher N. Banks CBE to undertake the review to assess the systems by which…
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills commissioned Christopher N. Banks CBE to undertake the review to assess the systems by which adult learners and employers co-invest in learning with the Government, and how the system can be improved.
Chris Banks’ review recommends:
- Government contributions to the cost of appropriate training should follow and support the choices and contributions of individuals and employers where required; and
- Clear information should be provided about the total cost of a course and the quality of provision; and
- Options for the individual to have access to financial support to meet the cost of their contribution to their course.
John Hayes, minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, said:
“I would like to thank Chris Banks and the Review Group for all their work in carrying out this review and consulting extensively with the sector.
“We are committed to making the Further Education system as flexible, effective and efficient as possible, as well as ensuring learners, employers and the Government achieve best value for their investment. My own determined view is that however we move forward, the most disadvantaged learners should not be worse off.
“I welcome the valuable contribution this document will make to addressing issues within the current system in place for co-investment in Further Education, and the broader challenges facing the sector.”
The Department will consult further with the sector and gain advice during the summer on Chris Banks’ findings and suggestions, and how the recommendations could be implemented in an efficient and fair way that ensures disadvantaged learners do not miss out.
Currently, although many adults and employers benefit from Further Education, only a minority of them are asked to make a contribution to the cost of their course. Chris Banks’ recommendations are aimed at making Government funding more efficient and effective and helping the sector secure further investment from other sources.
Notes to Editors:
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Chris Banks was asked to carry out the review following the Skills for Growth white paper of November 2009. His report can be found here - The report is published here : http://www.bis.gov.uk/co-investment
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Organisations including the Association of Colleges, the Association of Learning Providers, the Confederation of British Industry, the National Institute for Adult Continuing Education, the Skills Funding Agency, the Trades Union Congress, the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, and a college Principal and a University Vice-Chancellor helped develop the recommendations, and many others, including the National Union of Students and the National Learner Panel, were consulted.
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He and a group consisting of the members listed above derived recommendations following analysis of research and consultation of individuals, employers, colleges, training organisations and other organisations in the sector. They analysed how the system operates currently and have made recommendations for its improvement grounded in this analysis.
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The Review does not make recommendations on the proportion of co-investment expected, nor current policy determining who is expected to make a contribution.
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Full list of collaborators:
Christopher N Banks CBE - Independent Chair
Martin Doel and Julian Gravatt - Association of Colleges
Graham Hoyle - Association of Learning Providers
John Cridland, Richard Wainer and James Fothergill - Confederation of British Industry
Peter Lavender and Mark Ravenhall - National Institute of Adult Continuing Education
Geoff Hall - New College Nottingham
Marinos Paphitis - Skills Funding Agency
Frances O’Grady and Tom Wilson - Trades Union Congress
Michael Davis - UK Commission for Employment and Skills
John Coyne - University of Derby
Jacqui Longley - Young People’s Learning Agency
- BIS’ online newsroom contains the latest press notices, speeches, as well as video and images for download. It also features an up to date list of BIS press office contacts. See http://www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom for more information.
Notes to Editors
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