Centres of Vocational Excellence in Further Education:
The Way Ahead
NIACE Update Published: August 2001
In November 2000, the Secretary of State for Education & Employment set out a vision for a modern FE sector in Colleges of Excellence and Innovation. Central to this vision is a modernisation of the role colleges play in meeting the economic challenges we face.
On July 26 2001 the Education and Skills Secretary announced the locations of the first 16 colleges who will act as Pathfinder centres in the development of Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVE). The LSC have also brought forward the target to establish CoVEs by 12 months, so that, by 2003-2004, half of all colleges will have developed at least one CoVE.
Alongside the launch of the Pathfinder centres, the LSC has launched a prospectus for the main roll out phase of the initiative. This builds on the consultation exercise (see NIACE website for our response), and sets out a policy framework within which the CoVEs will operate, the type of work they will do, and the process LSC will follow in setting them up.
In the introduction to the prospectus, John Harwood, Chief Executive of the LSC, reflects some of the issues raised by NIACE in the consultation. He comments that colleges provide learning that is vital in meeting both social and economic objectives, and acknowledges that a thriving economy and a socially inclusive society are mutually reinforcing. He indicates that FE will continue to work with and support partners in the community and voluntary sectors and play a key role in the delivery of information advice and guidance and in addressing the basic skill needs of adults. But, a modern FE has to be flexible and responsive, work effectively with employers and sharply focused on skill needs. Modern colleges need to be fast moving, first to respond to change and able to give both adults and young people access to enhanced vocational learning.
The Pathfinder Centres and specialist areas are:-
| Pathfinder Centre | Specialist Area |
| Accrington & Rossendale College | Construction |
| South Tyneside College | Nautical Science & Marine Engineering |
| Bradford College | Applied Science |
| The Arts Institute at Bournemouth | Lens Based Media |
| Bishop Burton College (E.Yorks) | Agriculture |
| Sparsholt College | Game, Wildlife & Country Management & Fishery Studies |
| Birmingham College of Food, Tourism & Creative Studies | Hospitality & Catering |
| South East Essex College | Media Technology |
| Tameside College | Mechanical & Electrical Engineering |
| Warwickshire College | General Engineering |
| Lewisham College | Computing |
| Barking & Havering Colleges with Ford | Auto Engineering and Mechanical Production |
| South Birmingham College | Childcare |
| Richmond Adult & Community College | Business & IT |
| Lancaster & Morecambe College | Hospitality & Catering |
| Leeds College of Technology | Printing |
The Pathfinder centres will operate as a network to support the implementation and further development of the CoVEs. They will undertake a self-assessment of their centre, produce an action plan for improvement, extend good practice within their own colleges and establish partnerships to disseminate lessons to other colleges.
LSC will publish a circular in September to set out how colleges can apply for support to develop CoVEs. There will be a series of regional conferences in the autumn. Colleges will be invited to submit plans by December 2001. LSC will establish the main network of CoVEs from April 2002.
NIACE Comment:Many of the concerns raised by NIACE during the consultation period appear to have been addressed. NIACE welcomes that, throughout the prospectus, there is wider recognition of the needs of adult learners and that the development of Centres of Vocational Excellence will benefit all learners. The prospectus recognises that learning should meet both social and economic objectives, and that a socially inclusive society and a thriving economy are mutually reinforcing.
NIACE continues to support moves to modernise the sector and improve its effectiveness. However, we continue to be concerned that:
|
______________________________
Related Links
 | Centres of Vocational
Excellence: heralding a new era for Further Education A NIACE Response to the Learning and Skills Council Consultation Paper. |
