Adult education body Holex is recruiting for its first chief executive as it unveils plans to expand its services amid “increased demand” for its expertise.
The membership organisation is currently led by policy director, Sue Pember, who will stay in post under the new CEO.
Pember told FE Week having a CEO will give her more time for advocacy and lobbying on behalf of Holex’s members.
The £70,000 to £90,000 chief will report to the board, which is chaired by WM College (formerly known as The Working Men’s College), principal Dipa Ganguli.
The new role reflects the country’s “reduced and changed” adult education infrastructure and increased demand for Holex’s advice and guidance.
Last year Holex successfully forced a government U-turn on plans to end funding for adult education courses that are not directly linked to employment outcomes.
Alongside the Association of Colleges and the Association of Employment and Learning Providers, Holex is a founding member of the Education and Training Foundation.
As well as formal policy consultations, Holex organises network events and research on key topics for the adult and community learning sector such as Prevent, Multiply and Ofsted.
Over 140 adult and community education organisations in England are currently members of Holex, including local authorities, adult education institutes and further education colleges.
The organisation, now in its 31st year, is looking for a “dynamic and experienced” leader to “build the business” and “advocate for positive change,” according to the job description.
It hopes to appoint this August, potentially in time for a general election.
Holex has called for a dedicated minister for adult education and lifelong learning in its submission to next month’s spring Budget, alongside asks for a ten-year spending plan for community education and tax breaks for employers that invest in adults without level 2 qualifications.
Applications close on March 1, 2024.
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