Local growth: realising every place’s potential Friday, October 29, 2010 - 15:19

Local growth: realising every place's potential proposes learning provider networks which present opportunities to develop cohesive learning offers for local areas. The paper also opens up potential for colleges and other providers to work with private sector partners to integrate skills into Growth Fund proposals.

Mark Ravenhall, Director of Operations at NIACE, said:

"Any period of change offers scope for rethinking and creativity. Making sure that learning really does support adults to develop the skills they need and to take part in shaping their communities is an opportunity worth pursuing."

"There are, however, risks that skills will be separated from economic regeneration in the loose framing of the skills role of local Enterprise Partnerships and in the omission of any requirement for skills development in Regional Growth Fund proposals. We hope that the forthcoming Skills White Paper will detail ways in which learning and skills and economic strategic planning can be reconnected."

Jane Ward, NIACE's lead on work in the English regions and sustainable development, said:

"The commitments in the White Paper to environmentally sustainable growth and to local decision-making, have the potential to inspire learning programmes for low carbon skills development and to support residents to participate effectively in local decision-making."