Line up, line up, government ministers. College leaders across the UK have got something that they need you to have a gander at.
It’s about everyone’s favourite buzzword: Brexit! Three cheers for that. Leaders from across the sector have joined forces to publish a report called Developing a Four Nations College Blueprint for a Post-Brexit Economy. It lists six recommendations that would help to ensure that the economy is ready for Brexit.
A lifetime learning entitlement This would allow individuals to access cash to engage with education and training at the right time for them and would be funded by ringfencing part of the adult education budget.
National retraining programme A relatively short-term investment to improve productivity and fill significant emerging skills gaps in priority areas. This, too, should be funded through ringfencing the adult education budget.
A better jobs deal As recommended by the Resolution Foundation’s Intergenerational Commission, an active labour market programme should be introduced to offer practical support for younger workers in low-skilled and insecure employment to train to progress into better jobs.
A new social contract Based on the principles of the Diamond Review in Wales, there must be a guarantee of fair funding for full-time and part-time students in both further and higher education across the four nations, with an entitlement to maintenance grants up to the equivalent of the living wage.
College innovation fund Building on pioneering work in Scotland and Northern Ireland, a funding formula should be provided for colleges to support small and medium-sized enterprises to adopt new technology and business practices to help improve productivity. With this there must be skills support to achieve the workforce development necessary to secure these business improvements.
Make apprenticeships and higher technical standards work seamlessly Establish a common framework of transferable standards and qualifications, recognised by employers and customised to the individual needs of the four nations, to ensure mobility of labour and help people to progress to work.
Has everyone got a copy? No? Don’t fret, we can easily email you the PDF, dear minister.
