Skills Funding Agency abolishes relationship managers

Providers with Skills Funding Agency contracts will no longer have a dedicated relationship manager, following staffing cuts at the agency.

In a letter sent by agency deputy director Nick Wilson to providers yesterday, the agency said from July the new central delivery service (CDS) would be the first point of contact for queries about contracts, payments and performance management.

The agency has shed 600 of 1,900 staff since October 2010 and aims to reduce staffing level by another 30 per cent, to 925, cuts which were branded “ideological” and “detrimental” to apprenticeships in an early day motion tabled in parliament last month.

Mr Wilson said that as of today, the agency would “normally only allocate a named contact for colleges and providers which are subject to the agency’s formal intervention processes, and those which are at risk”.

He added that the CDS would be “leading on operational matters to do with contracts, payments and performance management, and providing the single entry point into the agency for queries from colleges and providers… They will also provide access to technical data systems applications help and support.”

He also said the agency’s new online Hub system would also be able to answer queries.

At local level the agency will also be launching new employer and delivery service teams, although they would not offer tailored advice.

Mr Wilson said: “Our new employer and delivery services area teams will come into being, incorporating the previous relationship teams and the National Apprenticeship Service teams at the local level, but with a different role.

“They will lead our strategic relationships with Local Enterprise Partnerships, key employers and stakeholders in the local area — with a focus on apprenticeships and traineeships.

“They will also work with colleges and providers where formal intervention is necessary or at risk, but they will not routinely manage relationships with all colleges and providers.”

Stewart Segal, chief executive of the Association of Employment and Learning Providers, said: “The important thing about relationship management is that providers are clear about the priorities for delivery, the contract management rules are transparent and the management systems are effective.

“With this clarity, providers should be able to work with more centralised provider support although it will be important for all providers to have a named contact that can resolve specific issues by exception.”

 

 

 

 

College principal takes ‘temporary leave of absence’ as chair of governors becomes interim chief

Warwickshire College principal Mariane Cavalli has taken a “temporary leave of absence” and will be replaced on an interim basis by chair of governors Sue Georgious.

The board of governors broke the news to staff at the college in an email, seen by FE Week, this morning.

Ms Cavalli (pictured) joined the college in 2010 after previously serving as principal at Croydon College since 2001. The college was rated as outstanding by Ofsted two years before her appointment.

Ms Georgious was appointed the college’s chair of governors in September last year and had previously served on the governing board since 2011.

A college spokesperson said: “The board of governors of Warwickshire College can confirm that the principal Mariane Cavalli has taken a temporary leave of absence from the college with immediate effect.

“The governing body has appointed Sue Georgious, the college’s  former chair of governors, as interim principal to lead the college during this time.

“Sue knows the college well and is deeply committed to it having previously been chair of the governing body. Steve Wood, previously vice chair, has been elected as the new chair.

“Sue has extensive experience in the FE sector in a variety of senior management roles including FE and open college networks and latterly as director at the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency.”

Under Ms Cavalli’s leadership Warwickshire College became one of five colleges that formed the Gazelle Group in November 2011.

According to an FE Week freedom of information request, the college has spent more than £200,000 on purchasing shares in Gazelle Transform Ltd and a further £324,000 for services in connection with developing a “new education concept” with Gazelle Global Ltd.

The college’s website stated that Ms Cavalli is president of the China-UK National Skills College in Qingzhou City, Shandong Province — the first British FE college in China, which is a joint venture between Warwickshire College and the Beijing Guozheng International Education Investment company.

She is also, according to the website, a professor of leadership development at the Hebei Normal University for Nationalities in China and professor of strategic management at Hubei University of Technology, China.

The college has around 16,000 students at sites in Leamington, Rugby, Warwick, Henley, Moreton Morrell and Pershore and was allocated £10,011,582 funding by the Skills Funding Agency as of June 1.

IfL announces plans for closure and transfer to the ETF

The Institute for Learning (IfL) could become part of the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) following a recommendation by the IfL non-executive board.

The membership body’s non-executive board has announced its recommendation that IfL should close and that its legacy and assets should be passed to the ETF through a deed of gift.

If member representatives of IfL’s elected advisory council vote in favour of the proposal on July 17, it will begin the process of closing its operations and working with the foundation to transfer key functions by autumn 2014.

Sue Crowley, IfL elected chair, said:“IfL is currently in a sound financial position and holds surplus funds in reserve, in line with the reserves policy set out each year by the non-executive board.

“Following a detailed review, however, the board has concluded that without further substantial investment or alternative sources of revenue, IfL’s financial position would not be sustainable in the long term.

“More than anything, we wanted to ensure that the most valued aspects of IfL’s offer, the things that made IfL special, would be protected in the form of a legacy for teachers and trainers in further education and skills, and felt that it would be best to initiate an orderly wind-down of IfL and its operations.”

The IfL’s constitution stipulates that in the event of closure, any legacy should be transferred to a charitable organisation — such as the ETF.

Ms Crowley added: “We decided to offer the stewardship of the legacy to the ETF because its aims and objectives relating to the professionalism of teachers and trainers align closely with IfL’s; because it already has responsibility for professional standards in the sector: because it offers development opportunities for teachers and trainers; and because its remit extends across the entire further education and skills sector.

“We believe the foundation is the organisation best placed to continue pursuing IfL’s object: ‘to promote education and training for the public benefit by the enhancement and maintenance of the quality, standards and practice of learning and teaching’.”

Members of the IfL who have renewed their membership until March 31 next year would become part of the ETF’s professional membership and would continue to receive access to continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities and support, including REfLECT, the online personal learning space.

The IfL’s chief executive, Dr Jean Kelly, said: “It is vital that IfL members who have made a commitment to their professional practice by joining their professional body are supported and continue to have access to recognition, professional status and support.

“IfL and the ETF are committed to the professional status of Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS), and to ensuring that it continues to be recognised and offered to teachers and trainers in the sector.

“We are jointly in contact with the government to have the relevant statutory instrument amended to reflect the Foundation’s obligations.

“Securing parity, so that teachers with QTLS can work in school settings on the same pay and conditions as those with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), was one of IfL’s proudest achievements, and is a key part of our legacy.”

David Russell, chief executive of the ETF, said, “We are delighted to be offered IfL’s legacy and welcome the opportunity of supporting teachers and trainers in their professional development and ensuring that they have a voice.

“We believe strongly that teaching and training in our sector should be seen as a high-status profession, and that teachers and trainers should be encouraged to exercise professional autonomy and take ownership of their CPD, in the interests of improved teaching and learning, and for the benefit of learners.

“As the professional body, IfL has made a considerable impact on the way in which professionalism is perceived and discussed across a very diverse sector.

“We thank IfL for being willing to entrust to us the stewardship of its valuable legacy. We have entered into discussions with IfL with great optimism, and I am confident we will agree a transition plan that allows the foundation to uphold and build upon IfL’s legacy in the years to come.”

New cross-party commission on apprenticeships launched by thinktank

A new cross-party commission to examine how apprenticeships can help to bridge the skills gap has been launched by the thinktank Demos.

The Commission on Apprenticeships will be co-chaired by the Conservative MP Robert Halfon and Labour’s Lord Glasman, and is due to meet for the first time in the next month.

The group will be funded by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), and will focus on the construction sector, although it will also make the wider case of apprenticeships in general.

It will investigate how to increase the appetite for apprenticeships, both among young people and employers, how to ensure the quality of British apprenticeships is world-leading and how to ensure public money is spent efficiently whilst minimising red tape.

A Demos spokesperson said the commissioner was expected to produce a final report towards the end of the year.

Business secretary Vince Cable welcomed the commission, saying: “Recovery of the British economy can only be secured if we have the necessary skills.

“Construction, in particular, already faces shortages and this could become acute as the recovery strengthens. That is why apprenticeships are crucial.”

Lord Glasman and Mr Halfon will be joined by the chief executive of the Association of Employment and Learning Providers Stewart Segal, national policy chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses Mike Cherry, London Greater Authority executive board Member Peter Box and City & Guilds UK managing director Kirstie Donnelly.

Midas Group chair Steve Hindley, construction apprentice Nazir Huseinmiya, CITB director of policy and strategic planning Steve Radley and Carillion Training Services director and general manager Ray Wilson will also be commissioners.

Mr Halfon, said: “The best way to improve living standards is to help people earn more. High quality apprenticeships do just that: better skills lead to better wages.

“As the first MP to take on an apprentice, I know how important an opportunity it can be to someone starting out in work.

“Expanding that opportunity to young people across Britain would not only be a huge benefit to them but also to the construction industry and the economy as a whole.”

Labour peer and fellow co-chair, Lord Glasman, said: “Apprenticeships have a proud tradition in Britain that needs renewing.

“At their best, apprenticeships help people learn from others, build a sense of vocation and deliver work of real quality. Construction is a key sector for Britain, so it is vital senior politicians support it and the future of people working in it.”

According to Demos, increasing the number of apprentices in England to catch up with similar economies would boost Britain’s GDP by £4bn a year.

Demos research director Duncan O’Leary said: “Construction accounts for 2.1 million jobs and 7 per cent of the UK’s workforce.

“If we get apprenticeships right in this sector then we are on the right path.

“At Demos we are delighted to be working with an expert group that crosses party political boundaries.”

Stephen Radley, director of policy and strategic planning at CITB, said: “Construction is in a race for talent that we are only going to win with fresh ideas and fresh thinking. That’s why we are supporting this vital work to drive quality apprenticeship numbers across construction.”

Edition 108: Jack Carney, David Law and Andy Sparks

The Manchester College’s Jack Carney has announced he will be retiring after 35 years at the college — having spent the last two as principal.

Mr Carney’s tenure at the top has seen the 26,000-learner college move from an Ofsted grade three to two, but he plans to retire during the next academic year.

“It’s the right time for me personally and importantly it’s the right time for the college too,” he said.

“It’s time for someone new to take the college to the next level.

“I’ll be working closely with colleagues and partner organisations over the next few months to put us in a great position for the future.”

Governors’ chair Sue Murphy said: “I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Jack for his service to The Manchester College over many years.

“He has worked tirelessly to raise aspirations, improve lives and support learners from all backgrounds to achieve, including those from some of the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Manchester.”

The college is now searching for a new principal.

Chelmsford College principal David Law is also due to retire at the end of the academic year, with Andy Sparks, head of FE at Essex’s Writtle College, replacing him.

Mr Law, who has been at the college for 18 years, and principal for 13, said: “After 13 years I think I deserve it. I’m feeling quite excited about retiring — I’m looking forward to doing other things.”

He added: “I will be very sad to leave, I love the place, but I think there’s a time that’s right for everybody.”

Mr Sparks began his career as an auto electrician before moving into teaching at Easton and Otley College, Suffolk, 20 years ago.

After a decade of teaching he moved into senior management as head of technology, and then as director of business services, before moving to his current position at Writtle College in 2009.

He said: “I’m enthusiastic about my first principalship. It will be a challenge but I’m ready to make that step up and it’ll be good to get my feet under the table and we’ll see what we can build at Chelmsford.”

Mr Sparks will take over the college from August 26.

Janice McClane, Chelmsford corporation chair, said: “Andy comes with a range of qualifications and experience which we feel will continue to build on the successes and achievements of our retiring principal David Law and lead to improved outcomes for all our learners. We look forward to welcoming Andy.”

 

Aiming to beat the ‘post code lottery’ on learning disability

The funding system for young people with learning disabilities changed a year ago, leaving “post code lottery” in its wake. Kathryn Rudd outlines how this has led to a campaign called A Right not a Fight.

A parent of a young person studying at the National Star College summed up the issue in one line when she said: “Young people affected by disability have the same right to choose the learning environment they need and deserve, exactly as those without a disability do.”

This is the central crux of A Right not a Fight, a campaign established by students studying at specialist colleges across the UK and supported by Natspec (The Association of Specialist Colleges). Students believe that gaining access to a specialist college should be a right, not a privilege accorded to those who are able to stand up to the system and fight for a place.

A student said: “If my special needs can be met better in a specialist college, I shouldn’t have to settle for a non-specialist college locally.”

This isn’t a criticism of mainstream colleges, which suit huge numbers of young people with additional needs, but a simple statement about being able to make an informed choice about their own future.

A year ago the funding system changed. Instead of a central pot of funding allocated for young people with complex needs, the money has been devolved to individual local authorities (LAs). This has led to a postcode lottery of funding based on geography, rather than need.

The National Audit office says that the benefits of specialist support can save £1m over a young person’s lifetime

Some LAs have blanket policies about not funding placements out of county, others have said they consider the specialist colleges in their county as out-of-county providers simply because they are not maintained by the LA, while a few are duplicating existing high quality provision as close as 10 miles away from existing high quality specialist colleges.

Young people and their parents are telling us they have no choice, they are not given information about specialist colleges and if they do find out about specialist colleges they have to be turned down by every local provider first, regardless of whether they are clearly not able to meet their needs.

One young man hoping for a place in September has now had to be turned down by five local providers. His mother said it confirmed his view that he was a “second class citizen”.

There is a perception that this is because specialist colleges are expensive, however there is no data which supports that assertion. In fact, the National Audit office says that the benefits of specialist support can save £1m over a young person’s lifetime.

One LA recently commissioned a place at a general FE college which was £10,000 cheaper than a place at a specialist college. But the specialist college costings were for 24/7 residential education and personal care for 36 weeks a-year.

The GFE college option was a day placement. It did not include all the support requirements stated in the young person’s learning difficulty assessment. Those costs would still need to be borne by the LA, from another pot. However, the LA did not recognise the additional costs as different departments only looked at the costs from their own budget.

Young people and their families are desperately hoping that when the Children and Families Act becomes law in September 2014, it will redress the balance and make sure that the views and wishes of young people and their families are finally heard — but so far the signs are not promising.

Our students are calling on the government to ensure they gain good information, that their wishes are at the heart of planning and that they are not, in the words of a parent “prisoners in their own county”.

This month, scores of young people and their supporters including MPs and peers came together to launch A Right not a Fight. The students set up a support wall so that they could say what specialist colleges meant to them. One student wrote: “It’s a chance to be the person you’ve always wanted to be in your life”.

Kathryn Rudd, principal of National Star College and chair of the Association of Specialist Colleges