Jim Dimond, Team Leader, FE Performance and Quality, BIS

1. Enable Annual Conference: 17 April 2013Maximising Participation in Third Sector Learning and Skills Jim Dimond, Team Leader, FE Performance and Quality, BIS

2. Government’s FE reform strategy New Challenges New Chances (December 2011) committed to develop the role of the third sector to ensure it plays a valuable role across all parts of the further education and skills system. • BIS recognises the third sector as employers, partners and promoters of learning in their own right – especially as advocates of those who are excluded and disadvantaged. • This unique contribution is vital to the success of government’s agenda for learning and skills, and together we have made great strides over the last year.

3. Guided by the cross-government Compact with the third sector, we have involved third sector organisations more closely in policy development and initiated regular dialogue with representative groups and partners. • This approach was reflected in the `Skills Funding Statement: 2012-2015’ (December 2012) re-emphasising our commitment to maximising the sector's unique role. • It is important, however, to have a clear starting point from which to measure progress and develop future strategies; and to be sure that the efforts of all parties are targeted effectively.

4. In 2012 we undertook what has been the largest study to date into third sector involvement in learning and skills to: • establish a baseline • measure the current nature and extent of involvement and • identify any barriers that stand in its way. • This research has confirmed the many strengths of the third sector including that: • The third sector provides an important alternative option to mainstream provision for disengaged or ‘hard to reach’ learners; • The third sector delivers high quality learning; third sector providers complete a greater proportion of successful learning aims than non-third sector providers. • Third sector providers are able to operate successfully at community and sub-regional level and have a holistic approach to delivery; • The third sector demonstrates successful outcomes and significant impact for the learners it supports.

5. The research also signals a number of challenges, including that: • Third sector providers have proved susceptible to recent planning, policy and funding changes such as minimum contract levels which have had an impact on the its ability to deliver; • Commissioning processes need to be sufficiently ‘third sector’ friendly, especially in the areas of funding applications and reporting requirements; • There is a lack of capacity (of most organisations) to deliver on a national scale. Consequently, capacity building is a significant area of need, particularly at a local level and around developing partnerships and consortia. • Existing support is not generally accessed by third sector providers due to accessibility and a lack of awareness.

6. The research was published on the BIS website on 12 April 2013 and can be accessed via the Further Education and Skills area within the BIS website. (This is now held at www.gov.uk) • The next phase of work to implement recommendations from the research findings is about to begin. • This work will be facilitated by NIACE and steered by a new Implementation Board chaired by Paul Butler, a key figure within the third sector. • Board will include representatives from BIS and other government departments, as well as third sector providers and representative bodies.

7. We believe that the third sector has significant potential and has a great part to play in our quest for success across the broader further education and skills agenda. • In terms of future developments I expect, for example, the sector to play a key role in the new `Traineeships’ programme. Both sides have much to benefit from this important new project. • Encouraging that Cabinet Office remains focused on government’s commitment to the Compact. • It’s important for the Third Sector to influence and develop policy eg for the new FE Guild.