Campaign for Learning responds to John Hayes' first major speech on Further Education

Tricia Hartley, the Campaign for Learning's Chief Executive was delighted to be in the invited audience at City and Islington College this morning for the first major speech on Further Education of John Hayes MP, the Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning. Commenting on the speech Tricia Hartley said:

'We were very encouraged by the tone of the Minister’s comments and in particular the emphasis on the value the government places on the interplay between skills development and lifelong learning in its broadest sense. The Campaign for Learning welcomes the Minister's announcement of a 'lighter touch' inspection regime for outstanding colleges and providers, and in particular welcomes the freedom to be given to colleges to vire between adult learning and employer responsive budgets. As an organisation working for social inclusion through learning, much of our work is focused on re-engaging disaffected people and disappointed learners. The Campaign therefore particularly welcomes the Minister's emphasis on developing progression routes from initial engagement through to Level 4 provision for those who choose it. The Minister spoke of his desire to listen to and consult the sector, including employers, to develop the most appropriate forms of work-based and work-related training for young people and adults. We look forward to working with the Minister and the team to demonstrate the huge success of initiatives such as Learning at Work Day and those involving family learning in re-engaging disenchanted workers and look forward to introducing him to some of the employers and individuals that have benefited from this and other approaches.'