Policy Issues

The e-skills UK Research and Policy unit keeps an active watching brief on the consultation agenda and regularly submits formal inputs to policy consultations emerging from government departments, regional and national bodies. Specific areas of interest include skills, education, enterprise and technology. Our aim is to influence policy initiatives which shape education and training relevant to the IT and Telecoms sector as well as those which impact on IT user skills across the UK.

House of Commons Select Committee for Education and Skills

Post-16 Training - In January 2007, e-skills UK submitted a response to the Select Committee’s Inquiry into Post-16 Training. The e-skills UK memorandum outlines what a demand-led training system would look like for the IT and Telecoms sector, and the extent to which this would differ from today's environment. Inquiry into Skills: Post-16 Training - Submission by e-skills UK (Jan 07)

14-19 Diploma - In January 2007, e-skills UK provided evidence before the Select Committee Inquiry into the new Diplomas and Education. e-skills UK and its employer partners believe the new Diploma in IT for 14-19 year olds, designed by employers working in partnership with educators and others, will mark a radical reform in the way young people learn about technology when it is introduced from 2008.

Major Policy Responses: 2006/2007

• The Home Office Migration Advisory Committee consultation March 2007
• Preliminary and case study input into the Department for Culture Media and Sport’sGreen Paper on the Creative Industries March 2007
• Delivering World Class Skills in a Demand Led System: Learning and Skills Council March 2007
• Lifelong Learning Strategy: Building on Success: Scottish Executive February 2007
• A Five Year Strategy For Children And Learners: DfES January 2007
• Future of Modern Apprenticeships: Scottish Executive November 2006
• Burgess Report on Credit in HE: Universities UK November 2006
• ESF Structural Funds Convergence for West Wales and the Valleys: Welsh Assembly Government October 2006
• Towards e-Wales: A consultation on exploiting the power of ICT in Wales: Welsh Assembly Government October 2006
• Business Register and Employment Survey Office of National Statistics September 2006
• Training for Success: Department of Education and Learning Northern Ireland: September 2006
• Review of HEI teaching and funding methodologies: Scottish Funding Council August 2006
• FE Professionalising the Workforce: Department for Education and Skills July 2006
• The Number of Full Time Undergraduate Places in Northern Ireland: Department for Education and Learning Northern Ireland July 2006
• Wales: Learning Country 11: Welsh Assembly Government June 2006
• Wales: A Vibrant Economy: Welsh Assembly Government March 2006
• Independent Review of FE in Wales: Welsh Assembly Government March 2006