FE Sector must be protected amid funding cuts
20 November 2009
"Following the release of the Government's Skills Investment Strategy, planned funding cuts to the further education sector could not have come at a more awkward time," said David Grailey, chief executive of NCFE.
"Cuts are imminent and the rate at which apprenticeships and other skills-boosting courses are to be funded will be one of the hardest-hit areas, despite the recent surge in demand for such courses and plans to increase the number of places. Apprenticeships are designed to ultimately boost the economy, so that everyone can get back to some level of stability and for the Government to announce these cuts somewhat contradicts and unravels all that has been previously promised.
"Learners could stand to suffer amid these savings if they are not handled properly, and, echoing the points made by the Association of Colleges chief executive, Martin Doel, it will be vitally important for the Government to protect the FE community to minimise the potential detrimental impact it could have on the sector."
Grailey also commented on what the changes mean to the working practices of FE organisations: "Not only will everyone have to keep the best interests of learners close to heart, working smarter and the need to deliver better value for money will be very apparent on multiple levels, whilst continuing to provide high quality training to learners and employers."
NCFE offers a selection of NVQs that can be used within Apprenticeship frameworks.
