More Vocational Courses Needed, Says Study

By Ali, Farzana

More vocational courses are needed in further education colleges, a government-commissioned report concluded last week.

The report by Sir Andrew Foster, the former Audit Commission chief executive, calls for improvements in college leadership and for colleges to specialise in key vocational subjects in the hope of improving prospects for young people and adults in the workforce.

It also urges colleges to focus on poorer students by setting up learning centres in deprived areas. The centres would run courses from various providers, attracting people whose local FE college is too far away or those who find traditional learning environments unappealing.

Bob Chilton, one of the report’s panel,said: “This would take learning into the community and be accessible to those in greatest need.”

Education providers, both from the voluntary and private sector, should also be able to bid to run courses or manage struggling colleges that had not improved after a year, the report recommends.

Both the Department for Education and Skills and the Learning and Skills Council, which jointly commissioned the report, welcorned its key recommendation for more vocational courses.

Education secretary Ruth Kelly said: “Colleges need a clearer focus toallowthemto achieve their rightful place as the engines of economic progress and social mobility.”

Learning and Skills Council chairman Chris Banks said the report “makes the crucial link between the FE sector and the ability of this nation to compete successfully in a global market”.

Realising the Potential is available viawww.regen.net/doc

Training: focus on key vocational subjects, says study

Copyright Haymarket Business Publications Ltd. Nov 25, 2005