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New “vision” for arts and crafts sector

SKILLS minister John Hayes this week signaled a new vision for craft and vocational skills in the UK.

The minister was at the RSA where to deliver a speech on how practical and skills have evolved through history and the role they must now play in contributing to both the growth of the economy and an individual’s employability prospects and wellbeing.

He said: “For decades, people have been calling for greater parity of esteem between academic and vocational qualifications. But those calls have invariably fallen on deaf ears. Instead, we’ve seen the demotion of practical learning.

“The Arts and Crafts movement recognised the unbreakable link between satisfaction in work and quality of life – between craft and beauty.

“I know that the sector skills councils, trade organisations, livery companies and others are keen to build on the good work they already do. That’s why the Government will work to establish a circle of Guilds to be at the heart of the re-evaluation of the power of practical learning”

In his speech to an audience of RSA fellows, employers and members of the FE and skills sector, the minister called for a “revaluation” of the way that skills are seen and the value they add to individual employment prospects, life experience, national economic prospects and the character of a civil society and to the economy in order to stimulate and maintain growth.

Meanwhile, the budget for Creativity, Culture and Education (responsible for the Creative Partnerships scheme) in 2011/12 will be reduced by half following the Government’s announcement of the closure of Creative Partnerships in the Spending Review.

Arts and Business will have its funding reduced by half in 2011/12. Beyond 2012, the Arts Council will be looking at different ways to support this key area of work, including building the fundraising capacity of arts organisations.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .