Member Article

Skills providers set for Government overhaul

Training providers from across the region have joined forces to discuss ways to improve further education and training across the North East.

At a conference hosted by the Tyne, Wear and Northumberland Association of Learning Providers (TWNALP), the director of the Skills Funding Agency Gillian Miller explained hoe the Governments reform strategy could impact on training providers.

‘New Changes, New Chances’ and the Skills Investment Statement for 2012/13 considers giving businesses increased control over their training by giving them funding directly, rather than to training providers.

The plans also offered employers incentives to take on 16-24 year old apprentices, and prioritises support for the unemployed. Training companies were encouraged to export their services globally to emerging economies.

Speakers at the event went on to consider growth areas within the sector, including community-based training for offenders and skills development for job seekers.

Chairman of TWNALP, Malcolm Armstrong, said: “This conference was extremely important because it allowed training providers to hear directly from central government how reforms will affect them.

“Our Association brings members together to support each other and ensure they prosper by working collaboratively and seizing new opportunities.”

Speakers at the conference, which was open to both members and non-members, were Gillian Miller, Skills Funding Agency, Barrie Irving, National Apprenticeship Service, Steven Martin, Job Centre Plus and John Taylor, Young People’s Learning Agency.

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