25 June 2008
NWDA represents English Regions at Select Committee for
Skills
Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) Chief Executive
Steven Broomhead, has given evidence today on an important debate
on the future direction of skills policy in the UK.
The Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee third
evidence session, examined the skills and training policies post
Leitch and their implementation in the regions.
The Leitch Report, which was published in December 2006,
examines the UK’s long term skills needs. It sets out ambitious
goals for 2020 which, if achieved, would make the UK a world leader
in skills and sets out a far-reaching reform agenda.
The NWDA currently holds the post of Chair of Chairs,
representing all English Regional Development Agency’s (RDAs). The
NWDA is also the lead RDA for skills, providing a strategic
direction for its development and ensuring the needs of every
region is taken into account.
The session, which was open to the public will provide a
platform for the NWDA to put forward a number of issues, including
the RDAs role in influencing the Leitch Agenda, how effective the
Leitch Agenda will be and how coherent the planning within the
regional tiers will develop.
Steven looked at future moves around Learning Skills Council
(LSC) provision and the move to the Skills Funding Agency (SFA),
alongside the provision of working effectively with Further and
High Education Institutions.
Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive NWDA said:
“Each English RDA has a primary focus of increasing the level of
economic development and growth, which is underpinned by enhancing
and developing skills relevant to employment - a key theme of the
Leitch ambition.
“In general RDAs have been in clear agreement with the Government’s
agenda to integrate employment and skills following a demand-led
system, however the proposed MOG changes severely dilute the
rationale. It will add more complexity than clarity and will be
driven by Government department rather than economic and employment
lead, which we feel would hamper the Leitch ambition.
“RDAs have always recognised the links between enhanced skills and
productivity, and continue to support the Government’s agenda to
integrate employment and skills programmes to develop the future,
current and inactive workforce, which in turn will increase
enterprise and innovation and drive up productivity.
“England’s Northwest, like every English region has a
delivery plan for its Regional Economic Strategy (RES), working
with partners such as the Learning Skills Council (LSC). There is a
lot of evidence throughout the regions that demonstrates where both
RDAs and the LSC are working together with Further and Higher
Education Institutions to stimulate the engagement of employers in
the intermediate and higher level skills development of their
workforce.”
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Notes to editors:
For further information please contact Shelley Tattersall, Press
Officer on 01925 400256 or mobile 07500 128482 or shelley.tattersall@nwda.co.uk
For further information and to view previous press releases
visit us at www.nwda.co.uk/press
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the
economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is
responsible for:
• Supporting business growth and encouraging
investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and
communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life