Response to
'Coherence and diversity'

1. NIACE recommends that whilst lifelong learning policy should be planned holistically, there should be three foci for more detailed provision:

2. NIACE proposes that the principle of subsidiarity should apply in respect of regulation and financing – leaving funding decisions to be taken at the level nearest to the users consistent with practicability and effectiveness. (para 31)
3. NIACE recommends the creation of a single independent inspectorate operating across work-related education and training, further, adult and community education to secure quality, to share good practice, and as an engine for improvement. (para 33)
4. NIACE recommends that the Secretary of State should establish a national Lifelong Learning Strategic Planning Council to oversee effective oversight of lifelong learning through planning and regulation. (para 34)
5. NIACE recommends that funding for lifelong learning supported by DfEE should be organised through three principal funding streams:

1. the largest to be delivered through a reconstituted National Council for Further Education and Training
2. hypothecated funding for LEAs secured following approval by Local Learning Partnerships by DfEE authorisation of the use of RSG funding
3. Employment Service commissioned work to deliver explicit labour market related programmes like the New Deal. (para 35)

6. NIACE recommends that colleges, adult centres, voluntary organisations, firms and private sector training bodies should all be able to apply for funding under each area, subject to an ability to show capacity to meet need, a quality threshold, and that all provision is articulated with other further education and training opportunities. (para 31)
7. NIACE recommends the establishment of a reconstituted National Council for Further Education and Training (NCFET) with a remit for:

1. funding learning programmes leading to the achievement of the specific lifelong learning targets relating to NVQs and Investors in People in the National Targets for Education and Training
   
2. widening participation and achievement
   
3. guidance and curriculum support for Employment Service commissioned programmes, and securing gateways to other learning opportunities
   
4. promoting and supporting the Investors in People programme
   
5. funding basic skills programmes, including those offered in workplaces and the community
   
6. funding Individual Learning Accounts. (para 37)

    8.    NIACE recommends the creation of legally constituted Regional Lifelong Learning Partnerships,
            serviced by NCFET, and with a remit for:

1. reviewing the work of constituent local lifelong learning partnerships and to identify significant gaps in provision
2. allocating further education and training funds, within the remit agreed by the National Body, on recommendations from local learning partnerships, and in the light of regional skills needs
3. acting as liaison for European Commission regional funding for learning related Agenda 2000 funds, and other EU regional funding impacting on education and training
4. liasing with Regional Development Agencies to secure effective regional planning for skills and lifelong learning
5. advising the national funding body and the national strategic planning body as appropriate
6. liasing with the University for Industry
7. liasing with regional Higher Education initiatives.

The regional partnership should maintain sub-committees to advise it on:

1. learning in and for the workplace
2. learning in formally organised further education and training
3. community based learning. (para 38)

    9.    NIACE recommends the creation of legal entities for Lifelong Learning Partnerships, based broadly
             on the existing pattern with the following remit:

1. approving Lifelong Learning Development Plans and youth service plans from local education authorities for recommendation to DfEE for the release of hypothecated funding
   
2. undertaking needs analysis and setting participation targets, (including those for widening participation) ensuring that the broad shape and scope of further education programme offers meet local needs, and recommending them for funding by regional lifelong learning forums
   
3. reviewing the operation of learning in and for the workplace, including the effectiveness of workplace learning plans, liasing with enterprise development initiatives, and advising regional lifelong learning partnerships
   
4. reviewing provision to secure coherence, adequacy and sufficiency of provision for learners and effective progression routes
   
5. liaison with local University for Industry hub(s) for promotion and motivation
   
6. approving plans for local advice and guidance networks, and allocating guidance funding
   
7. allocating, where appropriate, development funding (e.g. where appropriate, Individual Learning Accounts)
   
8. allocating discretionary awards for student support, and transport
   
9. responsibility for securing proper arrangements for managing transition, and securing opportunities for adults with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.
   

To secure appropriate engagement of the wide diversity of agencies with an interest in lifelong learning, partnerships should maintain sub-committees:

1. for learning in and for the workplace – with strong employer and employee representation, as well as other agencies with an interest in the skills agenda
   
2. for the formally organised and enhanced further education sector – including providers, users, local authorities, employers and employees, and higher education
   
3. for community based learning – including LEA adult and youth sector representatives, and councillors, voluntary and community education agencies, colleges, arts, libraries and museum service representatives, schools, and of course service users. (para 39)

    10.   NIACE recognises that significant areas of post-16 provision need planning at a travel to learn,
            sub-regional level. NIACE recommends that where Local Lifelong Learning Partnerships combine
            effectively to form sub-regions, Regional Lifelong Learning Partnerships should delegate decision
            making to sub-regional level. (para 40)

    11.    NIACE recommends an end to the arbitrary curriculum split enshrined in Schedule 2 of the 1992
            legislation and its replacement by:

1. charging the NCFET with a duty to secure adequate provision leading to the achievement of those Lifelong Learning Targets relating to the achievement of NVQs and Investors in People (para 37)
2. charging LEAs with a duty to secure adequate provision relating to the new participation target. (para 43)

12. NIACE recommends the inclusion of youth action plans in LEA Lifelong Learning Development Plans. (para 44)
13. NIACE recommends increased investment in LEA services to secure a minimum per capita investment of the average of the upper quartile of current LEA investment. (para 45)
14. NIACE endorses the recommendations of the National Advisory Group for Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning, calling for a minimum statutory framework for workplace learning, comprising 2 key elements:

1. Policy Statements produced by the employer setting out a commitment to workplace learning, and to how it might best be supported
2. Learning Committees with equal representation from employers and trade unions with responsibility for developing and monitoring progress to achieving the objectives of the Policy Statement.

(para 48)

    15.NIACE proposes that explicit labour market related programmes currently offered by TECs should be
         located with the Employment Service to secure coherence of planning. (para 49)

    16.NIACE recommends that the timetable for the announcement of Government proposals, and the
         subsequent enactment should be managed to secure the maximum level of involvement of all those
         affected by the proposals. (para 54-56)