Adult Learning and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: What are we to make of it?

[Background] [Programme] [Application Form]

Background

After just 20 months, the decision to give post-school education a voice in the Cabinet was reversed when the Government re-shuffle of June 5^th wound-up the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS).  Although the creation of  Business, Innovation and Skills was described as a merger of DIUS and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, the new 'super-ministry' was seen  by most commentators as a take-over, strengthening the powers and responsibilities of the new First Minister, Lord Mandelson.

Although there may have been an element of political expediency involved, the changes would not, however, have been a complete surprise to readers of New Industry, New Jobs, the Government's strategy document for economic recovery.

As the world of post-school education and training assesses how the changes will impact on a system already in flux in preparation for the demise of the Learning and Skills Council, there are also indications that the new Department might be even shorter-lived than its predecessors if the next general election results in a change of Government.

This event will take the form of a briefing about the new Department and a SWOT analysis of how anyone concerned with adult learning might best protect and promote learners' interests over the coming months in a changing landscape.  Delegates will have the opportunity to discuss the points and issues raised.

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Programme

09:45 Arrival and registration (tea/coffee available)

10:15 Welcome and introduction
Lucia Quintero-Re, Policy Officer, NIACE

10:45 Keynote address
Alastair Thomson, Principal Advocacy Officer, NIACE

11:30 Questions, discussions and closing remarks

12:00 Lunch and networking (tea/coffee available)

12:30 Depart

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Application Form