I fully support the comments made by David Hunter, chief executive of the Further Education National Training Organisation (FE Focus, March 7), about the need for the proposed Sector Skills Council for lifelong learning to include adult and community learning within its remit.
As the main union representing tutors, teachers and managers in adult and community learning, NATFHE has been a strong supporter of SSCs covering post-16 education and training. A lifelong-learning SSC is to be welcomed, but adult and community learning must be included in its remit.
This is partly because so much adult and community learning in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is delivered by FE colleges, and partly because in England the implementation of Success for All will have a direct bearing on occupational standards and professional qualifications.
Not to include adult and community learning in the SSC’s remit will lead to fragmentation and disjunction. The important task ahead is for all concerned to work positively towards the successful and speedy creation of the lifelong learning SSC.
Dan Taubman
National official colleges department
NATFHE, Britannia Street, London
