Apprenticeship, Skills, Children and Learning Bill

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ePolitix.com Stakeholders comment on the Apprenticeship, Skills, Children and Learning Bill ahead of its second reading in the Lords.

The Bill was tabled to strengthen apprenticeships, to establish the Young People's Learning Agency for England, the office of Chief Executive of Skills Funding, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation and the School Support Staff Negotiating Body; to make provision about the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority; to make provision about schools and institutions within the further education sector; and to make provision about student loans.

Briefing: Apprenticeship, Skills, Children and Learning Bill

Stakeholder Response: Key Issues

Ofqual

AQA is concerned that Ofqual will be too weak to meet its objectives of securing standards in regulated qualifications. They believe that Ofqual requires more explicit powers and needs to focus on meeting targets and measuring success through specific success criteria; namely qualifications standards, assessment standards and public confidence. Full response.

NASUWT supports the creation of an independent regulator for qualifications and examinations but is concerned about the limited opportunities for organisations to influence and make representations to Ofqual. To combat this NASUWT suggest that Ofqual has thorough mechanisms to secure consultation with relevant stakeholders. Full response.

NUT believes that Ofqual should be properly accountable and subject to parliamentary scrutiny and is concerned that observers from the Department of Children, Schools and Families could undermine Ofqual's independence and authority. The union is eager to ensure that Ofqual is a genuine independent authority regulating public examinations and maintaining confidence. NUT further states that Ofqual's ability to validate examinations should not be constrained by the ability of the government to refuse funding for new examinations. Full response.

Qualifications & Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA)

AQA believes that QCDA would be more effective if it had access to information from recognised awarding bodies. They emphasise the importance of the QCDA playing a role in ensuring that the Foundation Learning Tier is developed and promoted in the right way to make a positive impact. Full response.

GoSkills is interested in the specific role of the QCDA in the 19 plus age group, given the new responsibilities of Ofqual in the approval and regulation of voluntary qualifications. They welcome the Secretary of State's power to exclude qualifications from QCDA's remit. Full response.

NASUWT describes clause 171 as insufficiently clear in stating that the QCDA would ‘provide assistance' to Ofqual. It requests more specific provisions of how the two organisations will coordinate activity. Full response.

NUT believes that the QCDA should remain as a statutory independent authority and not merely an advisory agency to government. Full response.

Young People's Learning Agency for England (YPLA)

ALP is seeking assurances that the Young People's Learning Agency will be able to nationally commission services from national providers and ensure that 16-18 year olds are helped to avoid becoming part of the NEET group. The ALP believes that the YPLA should commission information, advice and guidance services from independent providers in areas where provision is lacking or failing. Full response.

GoSkills believes that communication difficulties will arise for Sector Skills Councils from the creation of the YPLA. They welcome the role of the YPLA to provide strategic data and analysis, but are concerned that this is up to age 19 only. Full response.

NASUWT does not support the creation of the YPLA, which they view as an unnecessary tier of bureaucracy and administration. The union disagrees with the transfer of elements of the Secretary of State's responsibilities over academies to the YLPA and believes powers should reside with a body which is democratically accountable. NASUWT is most concerned with issues of accountability, stating that the YPLA can not be held accountable for its actions in any meaningful way and argues for a civil servant directly accountable to the Secretary of State. Full response.

NUT is concerned that the YPLA is required to enter into academy arrangements with the Secretary of State and believes that this lack of transparency will be exacerbated if the un-elected YPLA is able to enter into a funding agreement with an academy. Full response.

Clause 35 - Information, Advice and Guidance on Apprenticeships in School

ALP strongly urges for Clause 35 to be amended so that all pupils in schools are given information about apprenticeships. They describe the clause as wholly misguided for stating that pupils should be given information only when it is in their best interests. Full response.

NASUWT supports the government's ideas for information, advice and guidance. However they raise concerns regarding the limited number of sources of IAG and they describe the proposal to place responsibility for information on schools as problematic. Full response.

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