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Saving Adult Learning
A conference to examine the future of adult learning, the effects of funding priorities and the future role of colleges of further education
| Date: | Tuesday 21 February 2006 |
| Venue: | Abbey Community Centre, 34 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BU |
| Ref: | C1301/0206 |
| Fee: | £270 – Statutory/Private Organisations £225 – NIACE Members for the first applicant and £150 – for subsequent applicants from the same organisation (includes lunch, tea/coffee) |
[Background & Aims] [Audience] [Programme]
Background & Aims
These are difficult times for adult learning, with heavy prioritisation of funding for vocational skills, reduced allocations for other adult work in colleges and local authorities, and sober forecasts of substantial reductions in numbers of adult learners over the next three years.
Sir Andrew Foster’s review of the future role of further education ‘Realising the Potential’ gives strong endorsement to the skills agenda but has little to say about the needs of adult learners, other than those in the targeted groups, and about the demographic changes which will increasingly shape all our futures. We are now in the lean years, as far as most adult learners are concerned.
This conference, which follows the publication of ‘Eight in Ten’, the NIACE-sponsored Committee of Enquiry into Adult Learning in Colleges and of Sir Andrew Foster’s review ‘Realising the Potential’, will examine:
 | the role of colleges; |
| the effects of current funding priorities; |
| the ‘Safeguard’; |
| the key recommendations of the Committee’s report. |
It seeks to look at some key questions:
| What is the role of the colleges and local authorities in the skilldriven, post-Foster future? |
| Is the Government’s strategy right, or do we need to return to more holistic, more inclusive lifelong-learning approaches? |
| Do we need new typologies for adult learning? |
This is an important opportunity to contribute to a vital debate.
| You know the directions of funding for the next three years and perhaps longer; |
| You know that it has been estimated that there may be one million fewer adult learners at the end of that period; |
| The infrastructure of adult education may be permanently damaged. |
What should be the response of those who are committed to adult learning?
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Audience
This conference is aimed at colleges, local authorities, voluntary and community organisations, and all those with an interest in the future of adult learning.
| Business Support Organisations; |
| Businesses and Employers; |
| CBI Offices; |
| Chambers of Commerce; |
| Community Groups; |
| Education Business Links; |
| Employment Consultants; |
| Employment Service; |
| FE Colleges; |
| Government Departments with responsibilities for education, skills and economic development; |
| Learning and Skills Councils; |
| Learning Partnerships; |
| Local Educational Authorities; |
| Organisations supporting equality of opportunity and social inclusion; |
| Probation Service; |
| Professional Associations; |
| QCA and Awarding Bodies; |
| Regional Development Agencies; |
| Sector Skills Councils; |
| Trade Unions; |
| Training Organisations; |
| Training Providers; |
| Ufi/Learndirect; |
| Voluntary Groups. |
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Programme
| 09:45 | Arrival and registration (Tea/Coffee available) |
| 10:15 | Welcome and Introduction to the
Day Chair: Colin Flint, Associate Director – Further Education, NIACE |
| 10:25 | Saving Adult Learning – The
NIACE Position Alan Tuckett, Director, NIACE |
| 10:50 | Adult Learning and Skills Denis McEnhill - Director of Inspection, Adult Learning Inspectorate |
| 11:15 | Tea/Coffee Break |
| 11:30 | Government Priorities vs Adult
Learning Susan Pember OBE, Director – FE and the Learning and Skills Performance Group, Department for Education and Skills |
| 11:55 | Question and Answer Session |
| 12:15 | Group Discussions |
| 13:15 | Lunch |
| 14:15 | A View from the Colleges Martin Tolhurst, Principal and Chief Executive, Newham College Christina Conroy, Principal and Chief Executive, Richmond Adult Community College |
| 15:05 | Question and Answer Session |
| 15:15 | Where do we go from here? Chris Hughes CBE, Former Chief Executive of the Learning and Skills Development Agency and Chairman of the Committee of Enquiry |
| 15:45 | Close of Conference (Tea/Coffee available) |
This programme is correct at the time of going to press. The organisers reserve the right to make changes to the published programme in the event of one or more of the advertised speakers being unable to attend. Delegates will have no claim against NIACE in respect of such changes.
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