Whatever happened to the Learning Age? Bridgewater Alan Tuckett - 7 th July 2006

2 2 Initial Government priorities and commitments  raise standards  widen participation  expand participation  create UfI  introduce ILA’s

3 3 Advice given Tomlinson  inclusive learning Kennedy  adult entitlement – level 3 Fryer  communities learn Dearing  economic and social case to expand h.e. Moser  7 million lack some basic education Skills Task Force  level 3 entitlement 20-24; level 2 25+

4 4 Learning Age – policy principles  investing in learning to benefit everyone  lifting barriers to learning  putting people first  sharing responsibility with employers, employees and the community  achieving world class standards and value for money  working together

5 5 Vision “As well as securing our economic future, learning has a wider contribution. It helps make ours a civilised society, develops the spiritual side of our lives and promotes active citizenship. Learning enables people to play a full part in their community. It strengthens the family, the neighbourhood and consequently the nation.” “The Learning Age”, DfEE

6 6 Government rationale for lifelong learning Economic national competitiveness business success personal employability and prosperity Social fair inclusive society active citizenship strong families personal fulfilment

7 7  open competitive markets  deeply entrenched democratic cultures  high levels of human and social capital What makes countries perform well?

8 8 Learning and Skills Act  expansion - further education - higher education - community education  reform funding  reform qualifications  stimulate demand  contest social exclusion  improve quality  new deals

9 9 What is reasonable? For adults the Act says “The Council must secure the provision of reasonable facilities” for post-19 education. Clause 3.(2) explains what this means. “Facilities are reasonable if…. The facilities are of such a quantity and quality that the Council can reasonably be expected to secure their provision.”

10 10 Other policy developments  devolved administration  skills for life  neighbourhood renewal strategy  success for all  race relations amendment act  disability discrimination act

11 11 New initiatives:  UfI  union learning fund  adult and community learning fund  LSC  individual learning accounts  e-universities

12 12 Target culture:  skills for life targets  level 3  h.e. – 50% 18-30s  participation target then  level 2

13 13 Level 5 Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 Entry democracy meritocracy priorities for public funding

14 14 Skills Strategy 1 and 2  sector skills councils  qualifications reform - prospect of credit accumulation system  level 2 entitlement  educational maintenance allowances  learning communities  employer training pilots  new deal for skills

15 15 FE White Paper  mission – ‘clarification’ for colleges  level 3 entitlement to age 25  Train to Gain  ILA reintroduction  qualification reform (diplomas)  workforce development  contestability  raising quality  Carried forward in Bill announced in next Queen’s speech

16 16 NIACE’s 8 groups  part-time and temporary workers  those employed in businesses which are “cool to training”  workers aged 45+ who are too often neglected when it comes to training and development  migrants  women – especially from ethnic minority communities culturally resistant to high levels of female employment outside the home  people currently on welfare benefits  ex-offenders  adults with literacy levels at and below ‘entry level 2’ and the existing workforce needs to strengthen skills

17 17 Trends in participation in adult learning, by socio-economic class: And yet? Year

18 18 Future intentions to learn, by learning status

19 19

20 20 Current/recent participation in adult learning, by age Age

21 21 UK population changes Source: Office of National Statistics, 2001 Age

22 22 Source: Projections of Occupations and Qualifications 2000/2001, IER, published March 2001 Occupational Demand to ,521

23 23 Source: Age data from Labour Force Survey, Spring 2001 Workforce qualifications by age

24 24 Percentage GDP spent on educational institutes - Selected G8 Counties

25 25 Other benefits  prolongs active citizenship  inhibits onset of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s  learners 13% more likely to give up smoking  learners 34% increase in racial tolerance  learners much less likely to be politically cynical  learners less dissatisfied with their lives

26 26 Challenges  rampant utilitarianism  employer engagement  culture  active citizenship  money!

27 27 LSC-funded FE 19 plus (excluding ACL) 2004/5out turn3,096, /6 LSC estimate out turn 2,760,000 2,601, /7 LSC estimate out turn 2,306,487 ?

28 28 Big Conversation What principles should determine how limited amounts of public funding are best used? What should employers pay for – and what should be the balance between regulation and persuasion? How much should individuals be expected to contribute to their learning? How much should this vary by level or subject? What has the government got right and where do you fear it’s going wrong?