Welfare Reform on the Web (January 2008): Education - UK - training

Built to last?

S. Court

Public Finance, Nov. 30th-Dec. 6th 2007, p. 18-21

The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) created in 2007 is responsible for further and higher education in England. However, the Department for Children, Schools and Families retains responsibility for sixth form colleges and school sixth forms, and takes the lead on 14-19 education. This division of responsibilities could create tension. In addition, funding for school sixth forms, sixth form colleges and the 14-19 phase in further education colleges is moving to local education authorities. DIUS is also responsible for the new Train to Gain programme which offers free training up to GCSE standard for low-skilled adults nominated by employers, Skills Accounts, which give adult learners access to funds to cover course fees, and the development of employer-led higher education courses to be delivered through distance learning. All these initiatives are part of a policy shift to demand-led adult training.

Transforming learning cultures in further education

P. Hodkinson (editor)

Educational Review, vol. 59, 2007, p. 387-535

This special issue examines a number of issues relating to learning cultures in Further Education. Drawing on the experience of recent research, the journal presents a number of themes, including:

• Understanding learning cultures
• Understanding student’s changing perceptions of their learning environments
• The limits of tutor intervention: understanding improvement in a cultural view of FE learning and teaching
• Expanding our understanding of the learning cultures in community-based Further Education