DfEE press release, 5 October 1999

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Education and Employment Minister Malcolm Wicks today delivered a strong message to training providers to ensure the training they offer reflects local needs.

Speaking at a National Training Federation Conference in Walsall, Mr Wicks said:

"Training providers have a crucial role to play in raising standards. They need to take the lead in improving levels of achievement and quality. They must ensure that the training offered meets local needs, promotes equality of opportunity and develops continuous improvement strategies. And that means raising the profile of all post-16 learning.

"A strong training provider infrastructure is essential for achieving these goals. In order to compete and prosper in the global economy, we must constantly update the skills and knowledge of all our people.

"Training activity is still lower than we require. Over 37 per cent of employers report significant gaps between the skills of their younger employers and those needed to meet their current job objectives.

"That is why we are developing a new approach to skills to help people and businesses. Recently we announced proposals in the White Paper ‘Learning to Succeed’ to change the face of post-16 education and training by streamlining the whole system, particularly funding.

"Education and training needs to be more relevant and accessible. We are driving forward the provision of flexible learning through Individual Learning Accounts and the University for Industry. And the new National Learning and Skills Council will provide the essential infrastructure for the public sector to work with business and other partners on raising skills levels. Unnecessary bureaucracy will be cut and an additional £50m a year will be made available to improve services at the front end. The new Council will be supported by a network of local arms which will have significant local discretion and flexibility to plan and purchase provision to meet local needs.

"Excellence can be achieved and there were many examples of real achievements highlighted in the recent Training Standards Council’s Chief Inspector’s annual report."

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