Improvement in the Further Education Sector: a consultative prospectus for a new sector-owned organisation
A NIACE Response to the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills’ Consultation
Published: January 2008
Introduction and summary
The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) is the national
non-governmental organisation for England and Wales representing the interests
of adult learners, potential learners, and those who make provision for them. A
membership organisation NIACE is a registered charity and a company limited by
guarantee. NIACE represents the interests of all learners, advocating increased
opportunities for adult learning and for better quality provision. However, as
an organisation, we are particularly concerned to advance the interests of those
who have benefited least from education and training and who are at a
disadvantage in British society. We carry out our work through advocacy,
research and development and promotion in partnership with all stakeholders in
adult learning, since we seek to advance the case for adults in the full range
of contexts where adult learning takes place. We do not represent the interest
of any specific group of providers.
We welcome the opportunity to respond to the development of government thinking set out in the consultation document of December 2007. We have been associated as stakeholders and contractors in the work of both the bodies (the Centre for Excellence in Leadership (CEL) and the Quality Improvement Agency (QIA)) upon which a new sector-owned organisation will be built.
NIACE also welcomes the aspiration for a single agency to cover the current remit of CEL and QIA. We welcome this as an interim step towards a situation where logic would suggest a closer relationship with the sector skills council for this employment area, Lifelong Learning UK.
As a member of the ‘Single Voice’ group we recognise its role as a mechanism for securing the involvement of the full range of providers, particularly at a time of significant culture change in the sector.
NIACE has responded to the range of consultation questions. This is preceded by some background comments that providers and practitioners may find useful.
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Further information about his consultation is available on the DIUS website: http://www.dius.gov.uk/consultations/con_1107_feimprovement.html
