LSC training provider review welcomed by IITT
Colin Steed has welcomed the Learning & Skills Council's proposed review of all training providers and employers it funds.
The Learning and Skills Council is extending its red tape review to all the training companies and employers that it funds, in line with the Prime Minister's focus on preventing and rooting out burdensome and unnecessary bureaucracy
Under the continued leadership of Sir George Sweeney, the Bureaucracy Task Force, with new representatives from business, work-based learning, further education, government and the voluntary sector, will focus on:
- Consulting, reviewing and cutting the bureaucratic burdens, inherited by the LSC - particular those placed on the work-based learning sector
- Monitoring implementation of the recommendations in 'Trust in the Future', based on a new relationship of trust and transparency, for colleges.
John Harwood, Chief Executive of the Learning and Skills Council, said: "Our determination to strip-out unnecessary red tape is unwavering. I want to lift the burdens of bureaucracy for all the organisations with which we deal. The LSC is looking to implement far-reaching reforms to remove unnecessary bureaucratic burdens for both training companies and employers, while of course maintaining the responsibility we all have to taxpayers and learners."
"The new make-up of the Task Force reflects our renewed focus. I look forward to Sir George publishing another set of ground-breaking recommendations for training companies and employers within 12 months. I also expect the Task Force to monitor closely our progress on the implementation of 'Trust in the Future'."
Sir George Sweeney, Chairman of the Bureaucracy Task Force, said: "I am optimistic that we can generate the same degree of commitment, understanding and trust with training companies and employers as we did during the first phase of our work with colleges. The LSC has provided us with the freedom to change significantly the way we work together, within the rules of accountability under which we all have to abide", he concluded.
Minster of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, Margaret Hodge said: "The DfES fully supports this welcome move in the drive to root out bureaucracy in all its forms. We will work with the Task Force to lift unnecessary burdens from all learning providers so that they have more time and resources to spend on raising the quality of teaching and learning, contributing to reaching our targets and improving the experience of the learner."
Stephen Glassock, Managing Director of Protocol Skills, said: "We must ensure that this Task Force does not simply tinker around the edges of the current bureaucracy mountain but instead addresses the fundamentals of the relationship between learning providers and the LSC to ensure a partnership approach in the future for the true benefit of the learner."
The move was welcomed by Colin Steed, the Institute if IT Training;s Chief Executive. "I am delighted that the LSC is serious about increasing the quality of provision, whilst minimising unnecessary and expensive paperwork. I am sure that this initiative will be welcomed by both training companies and employers alike. The results will be awaited with interest and we shall do all we can to assist them in this task."
The Learning and Skills Council's Bureaucracy Task Force will host a number of consultation events for work-based learning providers on bureaucracy busting starting in March 2003. The dates and locations will be announced shortly.