1. Keynote Address
Main points of the speech made by Baroness Blackstone,
Minister of State for Education and Employment
Baroness Blackstone praised the
enthusiasm and effort of all involved in
establishing Lifelong Learning
Partnerships and the excellent
progress made. She recognised that
some are already very active, having
typically evolved from established
groups while others are quite new;
partnerships take time to build.
Particularly impressive is the way many
partnerships have already extended
their membership to include schools;
Higher Education; the Employment
Service; and employers. Several already
have close relationships with
Education Business Partnerships and
she encouraged this development.The
Minister described the two key roles
of Learning Partnerships in the
post-16 arrangements:
- They are best placed to reach out
into local communities and find out
what local people need. They will be able to provide local
Learning & Skills Councils (LSCs)
with invaluable information on
adult and community learning
needs and employer skill needs.
- They will continue to provide a
forum for collaboration where
local providers and others can
share their plans, ensure provision
is as efficient and cost-effective as
possible, fill gaps and avoid
duplication by co-ordinating local
curriculum planning and staff
development.
Local partners know and understand
the local conditions that influence the
decisions people make; and the
reasons why people do not participate
in learning or achieve the qualifications
within their capability. They can
identify local solutions to local
problems, and ensure that everyone is
encouraged and has the opportunity
to learn.
The respective roles of Learning
Partnerships and local LSCs will be
distinct but complementary. The 47
LSCs will need to be informed by an
understanding of local labour market
needs; Learning Partnerships are
uniquely placed to provide that.
The Government will publish its plans
for implementing the White Paper
proposals in December. At the same
time, further guidance will be issued to
Learning Partnerships, clarifying their
role further and giving details of the
full range of their responsibilities. This
will not be prescriptive; local partners
know what is best for them and their
communities.
The Minister said it is vital to maintain
the current momentum. In particular:
- National Learning Targets.
Important that all partnerships are
pulling in the same direction to
maximise local provision and make
the difference needed to achieve
the targets.
- Engaging young people.
While the new Youth Support Service is
being established, it is important
that Learning Partnerships do all
they can to capture the views of all
young people and thus influence
provision to take account of their
needs.
- Supporting the new
ConneXions programme.
The programme is dependent on
Learning Partnerships to develop
the innovative approaches needed
locally to ensure the best local
delivery of the Learning Gateway;
build on the best of New Start; and
promote and support the right to
Time Off for Study or Training and
Education Maintenance Allowances.
- Developing adult and
community learning.
Identifying
the basic skill needs of
communities is a key element of
partnerships’ local learning plans.
The Minister congratulated those
partnerships that had already
achieved Pathfinder status to
deliver Information, Advice and
Guidance for adults. Addressing
these needs is a matter of the
highest priority.
- Developing UfI initiatives.
Particularly through local learning
centres and effective local
campaigns to promote lifelong
learning.
- Working more closely with
existing groups and
organisations.
It is critical to
engage the business sector. Nearly
40 per cent of employers report
significant gaps between the skills
of their younger employees and
those needed for the job.
Learning Partnerships’ role in the
challenging post-16 agenda will require
adequate resources. The Minister
confirmed that the DfEE will
contribute £10 million to Learning
Partnerships in each of the next two
years.
In answering questions, the Minister:
- stressed the central role of careers
services in Learning Partnerships
but said it is not appropriate to be
prescriptive about membership as
that is best determined locally;
- reaffirmed the important role of
the churches and voluntary sector,
which includes bringing adults with
poor basic skills back into the
system.
