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Do We Have a Learning and Skills Sector in Scotland?

Do We Have a Learning and Skills Sector in Scotland?. Jim Gallacher Centre for Research in Lifelong Learning Glasgow Caledonian University. The Policy Context. Lifelong learning agenda has continued to be more influential in Scotland – skills emphasized, but less dominant than in England

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Do We Have a Learning and Skills Sector in Scotland?

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  1. Do We Have a Learning and Skills Sector in Scotland? Jim Gallacher Centre for Research in Lifelong Learning Glasgow Caledonian University

  2. The Policy Context • Lifelong learning agenda has continued to be more influential in Scotland – skills emphasized, but less dominant than in England • ‘Learning and Skills’ is not a dominant discourse • Two policy phases • 1997-2007 Labour and Liberal Democrat Coalition • 2007- Minority Scottish National Government

  3. Policy Context 1997-2009 • Key Themes 1997-2007 • Lifelong learning • collaboration • Social inclusion • Skills • Key Document • Lifelong Learning Strategy (Scottish Executive, 2003) • Key themes 2007 - • skills with Scot Nat Government – emphasis on ‘sustainable economic growth’ • Skill Utilisation • ‘cradle to grave’ concept of lifelong learning • Key Document • Skills Strategy 2007 • Continuing Policy frameworks • More Choices More Chances 2006 (NEET Group) • Curriculum for Excellence 2004

  4. The Organisations: The SFC • Scottish Funding Council for Further & Higher Education (SFC) – established 2005 • Merger of SFEFC (1999) & SHEFC (1992) ‘…securing the coherent provision… of a high quality of fundable further… and higher education’ • Funds FE & HE level work in Scotland’s Colleges (43 at present – 3 in process of merger) • Funding on basis of SUMs (Student Units of Measurement – 40 hours) • Budget 2009-10 • Colleges £630m • HEIs £1669.9m • Skills Committee now joint with SDS

  5. The Organisations: SQA • Scottish Qualifications Agency (SQA) established 1998 • Merger of: • Scottish Examinations Board (SEB) & Scottish Vocational Educational Council (SCOTVEC) • Responsible for: • Developing and validating qualifications • Accrediting qualifications • Approving educational and training establishments • Arrangements for assessments of SQA qualifications • Quality Assurance of educational and training establishments • Issuing Certificates • SQA Qualifications • National Qualifications: Access level up to Highers & Advanced Highers • HNC/Ds • Scottish Vocational Qualifiactions (SVQs) • Professional Development Awards (PDAs) and similar

  6. The Organisations: SCQF • Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) established 2001 • Development Partners • Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) • SQA • Scottish Executive • Universities Scotland • Association of Scotland’s Colleges became partner

  7. The Organisations: SDS • Skills Development Scotland (SDS) – established 2008 • Merger of • Careers Scotland • Skills elements from Scottish Enterprise & Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) • Scottish University for Industry (Learndirect; ILA Scotland; The Big Plus) • National Training Programmes • Modern Apprenticeships – 16+ age group – now extended to SVQ L2 • Skillseekers – 16-19 age group – being phased out as MAs extended • Get Ready for work – 16-19 • Training for Work – support for unemployed 18 and over • IAG: Careers Scotland & Learndirect • Funding for Learners: ILAs 200 & 500 • Literacy & Numeracy: The Big Plus • Budget for 2008-09: £184.44m • Funding for Training Providers

  8. Students in Scotland’s Colleges by Level of Study Source: SFC Infact Database

  9. Students in Scotland’s Colleges by Age Source: SFC Infact Database

  10. Students in Scotland’s Colleges by Type of Qualification Source: SFC Infact Database

  11. Top 12 MA Frameworks: Numbers in Training Source: SDS

  12. MAs: Numbers in Training – April 2008-March 2009 Source: SDS

  13. More Choices More Chances • 16-19 Age group not in education, employment or Training • 2007: 12% of young women, 12% of young men • Scotland has lowest percentage of 15 -19 year-olds in education or training in OECD - only about 63% compared with OECD average of 83% (OECD 2007).

  14. Scottish domiciled students participation in Colleges and HEIs by level and deprivation quintile 2005-06 SFC 2008

  15. Emerging Issues • Stable funding regime has helped establish a fairly strong college sector • Role of SQA as a national validating and awarding agency has been significant • Issues associated with declining HNC/D numbers in colleges • Despite emphasis on collaboration, and establishment of organisations to encourage this impact has been limited • Colleges relatively successful in attracting students from areas of deprivation, but significant numbers remain unqualified • Impact of SDS remains to be seen • Skills Utilisation requires development and implementation

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