News

BIS has released two consultation papers for the learning and skills sector.

Skills for Sustainable Growth - Consultation on the future direction of skills policy (PDF document, 394KB) outlines the emerging vision for skills and explores some key areas where BIS would like to seek further views.  

A Simplified Further Education and Skills Funding System and Methodology (PDF document, 211KB) sets out proposals for further discussion on how BIS can support the system to be simpler and more effective; it also asks questions on simplification of the broader FE and Skills landscape.

The deadline for responses is 14 October 2010.

DfE has published an update (Microsoft Word document, 475KB) on Diplomas, and other qualifications relevant to 14 – 19 year olds. This update pulls together announcements made since the change of Government about areas formerly covered in the 14-19 newsletter. DfE will not be producing regular updates but wants to ensure that local areas have all the available information in one place in order to continue to plan effectively for September 2010 and beyond.

The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) has issued a list of the 80 Functional Skills qualifications which have, to date, been accredited ready for teaching from September 2010.

The government today set out a series of measures to set colleges free from unnecessary bureaucracy, as the first stage of a new skills strategy that will give them the flexibility they need to respond to the demands of employers and learners.

The Secretary of State for Education has written to all local authorities setting out the details of the Department's contribution to the £6.2 billion of cross-government savings, announced on Monday 24 May 2010. The letter indicates that there will be changes to the Local Delivery Support Grant for 14-19.

The YPLA has been working with representatives of React and provider associations on how provision for learners working primarily at entry and level one will be funded from this August.  The results of this work are now published in a Guide to Funding Foundation Learning. This includes details of new flexibilities. An FAQ document is also available.

The Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) has issued a new document which will be of interest to local authorities and specialist providers. It covers the decision-making process for both new and continuing placements, and provides guidance on exceptional funding and on-programme delivery.

The Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA) has produced the Foundation Learning qualifications catalogue, to keep you up to date with the list of Foundation Learning qualifications accredited within the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF).

The catalogue is a downloadable spreadsheet listing all currently accredited Foundation Learning qualifications, with updates being added on a monthly basis. The latest was issued on 17 May 2010.

The qualifications in the catalogue are arranged by level (Entry 1, 2, 3 and Level 1) and the three core curriculum components of:

• functional skills
• personal and social development
• subject and vocational knowledge and understanding.

Each section is also colour coded for ease of reference.

To get the most out of the catalogue, you will need to be connected to the internet at the same time as viewing it. For example, to see the units contained within a qualification you will need to follow the hyperlink to the National Database of Accredited Qualifications (NDAQ) website and refer to the qualification details page.

Points to note:

• There is a short delay between a qualification going on to NDAQ and being recorded on the Foundation Learning qualifications catalogue.
• It may take up to three months for School and College Achievement and Attainment Table (SCAAT) performance points to be allocated to newly accredited qualifications. If they are not showing in the catalogue, it does not necessarily mean there will be none available for that particular qualification.
• NDAQ is being re-developed. Once complete, there will not be a need for a separate Foundation Learning qualifications catalogue.

From September 2010, Managing Information Across Partners (MIAP) will be known as the Learning Records Service. This new name is intended to reflect the breadth of free products which it provides, designed to reduce the bureaucracy and administrative burden within the sector.

Key products and services include the Unique Learner Number and Learning Provider Register. MIAP’s existing services, products and applications will also be merged with the current Personal Learning Record for the Qualifications and Credit Framework.

Ofqual has issued a list of 65 functional skills qualifications which have been accredited ready for teaching from September 2010.