157 welcomes Coalition's new freedoms for colleges
17th June 2010
The 157 Group has welcomed the new coalition government's plans for a series of measures to free up colleges, as outlined by the new minister for further education, skills and lifelong learning, John Hayes MP, in his first major speech to the FE sector, at City and Islington College on 17 June 2010. After a tour of the college, which is one of the 157 Group's 28 members, Mr Hayes talked in detail about his vision for further education and his plans to lift restrictions on how colleges operate, to help them focus on meeting the demands of employers and learners in their areas.
Lynne Sedgmore CBE, executive director of the 157 Group, said, "The new freedoms for colleges are strongly welcomed by the 157 Group. They illustrate a clear trust and respect for high-performing colleges and college leaders. We are keen to continually improve the responsiveness of colleges and believe these important freedoms will enable us to raise our game even further as high-performing, responsive and autonomous organisations.
"We also welcome the specific proposals outlined by the minister today, especially his plans to increase the number of apprenticeship places; reduce the number of 18 to 24-year-olds not in employment, education or training; promote greater employer engagement; focus on supplying technician level skills and investing in high-value areas of the economy; and develop a programme of lifelong learning accounts. All these align closely with the 157 Group's manifesto and various recommendations we have articulated in recently published policy papers.
"Removing layers of bureaucracy should release more of the allocated public funding for frontline services that benefit local learners, businesses and the economy."
Frank McLoughlin CBE, chair of the 157 Group and principal of City and Islington College, said, "Outstanding colleges generate excellence, student success and staff engagement not through top down edicts but through trust and autonomy. The new freedoms announced in my college today are good news for all colleges and are warmly welcomed. They give a clear indication of a refreshing relationship with the new ministerial team."
Note
John Hayes MP spoke at City and Islington College's Centre for Applied Sciences, where courses range from introductory diplomas to foundation degrees, and lead to professions requiring specialist scientific knowledge, such as forensics, optics and medicine.
