Skills: Next government must 'reform skills sector'

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John Stone, chief executive of LSN, speaks to ePolitix.com about how education and learning policy will need to develop in the post-election landscape.

The economy is dominating the election campaign, how can skills help shape our recovery?

The number one priority for an incoming government must be to reform the UK learning and skills sector – which is not sufficiently flexible in responding to how and what people wish to learn.

The need for a post-16 education system that is genuinely learner-responsive could not be more pressing. The economic downturn has accentuated the contraction in the youth labour market – there are currently a million young people are out of work and not in education or training.

Looking ahead, a buoyant and effective learning and skills sector will be crucial to rebalancing the economy and ensuring our future prosperity.

What can an incoming government do to reform the learning and skills sector?

Whilst funding and investment have increased significantly in the last decade, we must move away from the central targets and funding levers that have created a top-down system. Government must ensure that the 21st Century learning and skills sector is more responsive – to both market and learners' needs – and focus on achieving genuine flexibility within the system.
Therefore we have set the following challenges:

1. Free up funding and rebalance how and who pays for learning by creating more innovative funding models, such as through individual learning accounts

2. Promote bottom-up, collaborative improvement work giving both learners and providers real power and freedom

3. Promote more innovative and increased use of technology – which could help make further efficiencies

4. Encourage leadership and management training

How can we realistically improve quality and standards with spending restrictions looming?

In the climate of financial stringency we can protect frontline services and continue to improve quality and standards with fewer resources by devolving more responsibilities. The learning and skills sector needs to be given genuine freedom to innovate, be adaptable and become more flexible. New delivery models that ensure a buoyant learning and skills sector can then flourish. For example, with greater autonomy, further education colleges could:

• improve use of shared services to manage finances

• offer greater choice of courses through strategic merger agreements

• introduce new approaches to joint-staff training and development

• simply get 'more for less'

There is no single successful model for making FE colleges more efficient. Different localities will require different solutions, but they will all require excellent support and training for the workforce. Even as these management changes take the short-term focus, proper staff support will be crucial for maintaining quality improvement and continuing to drive standards.