Further education and skills
Skills are vital to our economy – they help businesses succeed and enable individuals to realise their potential. That’s why we’re reforming the further education and skills system to better meet the needs of learners and employers.
We want to build a skills system driven by the informed choices of learners and employers. This means giving colleges and providers the flexibility to meet the needs of different learners and different economic sectors. You can find out more about our reforms by looking at some recent Ministerial speeches and our current consultations (see below and right.)
For learners
We are committed to improving skills at all levels, from informal adult learning and literacy and numeracy, to apprenticeships and higher education. The new Next Step service, the Careers Advice Service and Jobcentre Plus help people with their choices on jobs, careers and training.
For employers
Skills and training support are available via Apprenticeships, Businesslink and Jobcentre Plus. We are making the skills system more responsive to the needs of business, including reforming vocational qualifications.
For colleges and training organisations
We are setting colleges free from unnecessary bureaucracy and simplifying the funding system. We work closely with the Skills Funding Agency, which invests £4 billion per year in colleges and training organisations to ensure people and businesses get the skills training they need.
Consultations
As part of the Government’s reforms to put power in the hands of communities and individuals, and equip Britain for long-term success, BIS recently launched three consultations on the future of further education and skills; one on strategy, one on funding and one on the Right to Request Time to Train.
