The main interest was around the emerging thinking on the development of the new adult advancement and careers service which is planned for full roll out in 2010.
A number of key decisions will be made over the next few weeks on who will have strategic planning responsibility for the new service and who will be the new prime contractors for nextstep delivery from August. A specification for the service from that date is still awaited so while there is a good deal of activity, high levels of speculation remain.
David Lammy, Under Secretary of State for Skills, presented an encouraging personal vision with a message that a better adult careers service will support the government aim of better skills and better jobs. Improved progression will improve individual prospects.
While there will need to be some targeting for unemployed adults he clearly expressed a commitment to the need for a universal service. The service will also need to be able to respond or refer on the full range of support to help individuals break down barriers to progression in learning and work. The new service will go beyond the current provision of Jobcentreplus and nextstep in offering coherent and joined up support.
Currently £60m funds the delivery of nextstep and learndirect. An additional £50m per annum from 2010 will be available. No other government programme is currently expanding at that rate.
The link below leads to LSC powerpoint slides from the event:
Jon Dalton, LSC, Skills Accounts
Louise Proctor, LSC, nextstep over the next two years
Janet Ryland, UK Vocational Qualifications reform
http://www.livegroup.co.uk/iag2008/site/documents/LSC_SHOWBUILD_J_000.ppt
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