| answer text |
<p> </p><p>Further Education colleges receive funding in respect of both young people
aged 16-19 and adult learners aged 19 and over. We set out government priorities for
adult skills provision annually in the Skills Funding Statement<sup><sup>[1]</sup></sup>,
with the Department for Education setting out its priorities in a letter to the Sector<sup><sup>[2]</sup></sup>.</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>As independent autonomous organisations it is for college governing
bodies to ensure value for money by designing an appropriate local offer that employers
and learners value and are prepared to invest in.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In
the last Spending Review, the Government looked to protect overall levels of adult
Further education (FE) funding. The funding for adult Teaching and Learning in 2014-15
is broadly the same as 2012-13. Over this parliament the Government has undertaken
a radical reform programme enabling FE colleges to use their freedoms and flexibilities
to provide the high quality skills their learners, local economy and businesses need.
In line with government policies there is an increased drive for employer ownership
of skills funding, a continuing growth, and reform of, the Apprenticeships programme
and an opportunity for individuals aged 24 and over studying at Level 3 and 4 to have
access to Loans to help meet up-front course fees.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and their operational arm, the Skills
Funding Agency, are clear that FE colleges operating in the skills landscape must
have robust sustainable business models, good financial controls and be resilient
to change.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><br /><p>[1] The latest Skills
Funding Statement is available at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/278529/bis-14-p172a-skills-funding-statement-2013-2016.pdf"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/278529/bis-14-p172a-skills-funding-statement-2013-2016.pdf</a></p><p>2The
letter to the sector is available at</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/293516/140318_March_letter_to_sector_FINAL__3_.pdf"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/293516/140318_March_letter_to_sector_FINAL__3_.pdf</a></p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
|
|
