National Audit Office report on Skills for Life

In June 2008 the National Audit Office (NAO) conducted a study in to the Skills for Life strategy to assess progress made by DIUS and LSC in improving adult literacy, numeracy and English language skills. For more details please click here.

ESOL CONSULTATION: Focusing ESOL on community cohesion

Public funding for English language teaching should be targeted where it will have the biggest impact on community cohesion and integration, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills John Denham announced on Friday 4 January. Launching a consultation on the new proposals, Mr Denham said the promotion of community cohesion would be given the highest priority in deciding on funding for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).

To read the consultation press notice, please click here.

To view, download and respond to the consultation, visit www.esolconsultation.org.uk or click here.

Please note that the consultation has now closed and the results are being considered. For an update from Secretary of State, John Denham, please go to the front page of the consultation website here.

INVEST IN WORKPLACE ENGLISH SKILLS FOR BUSINESS AND SOCIAL BENEFITS, SAY EMPLOYERS

Top businesses and employers have revealed how their investment in workplace English language skills brings about significant business and social benefits.  Employers as diverse as DHL, University College Hospital London and Tesco say their English language programmes for migrant employees have improved business performance, customer service and community integration.

Click here to read more.

NEW 'ESOL FOR WORK' QUALIFICATIONS

The new 'ESOL for Work' qualifications have now been launched and are available for delivery. They are offered by 8 Awarding Bodies: Cambridge ESOL, City & Guilds, Pearson Language Assessments, OCNW, NOCN, Trinity College London, ESB, SQA.

Please click here for further information or click here to view and download the explanatory leaflet.

ESOL Impact Assessment and New Funding Guidance for 2007-2008

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Bill Rammell, announced on Monday 26 March 2007 the outcome of the Race Equality Impact Assessment (REIA) of the proposed changes to English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) funding and asylum seeker eligibility for further education.

To read the press notice click here.

To view and download the full REIA document click here.

To see the draft funding guidance for 2007-2008 including new guidance on ESOL, click here.

To see the 'LSC Learner Eligibility Guidance' booklet for 2007/08, click here.

Minister Bill Rammell announces further ESOL plans

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Bill Rammell, spoke on 7 March 2007 at a NIACE organised event in London to outline some further detail on the proposed changes to ESOL funding. The changes have been made in response to issues raised over the past few months including the formal Race Equality Impact Assessment process.

To read the 7 March speech, please click here.

To read about the original proposals on ESOL made back in October 2006, please click here.

LSC announces new funding priorities

On 18 October 2006 the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) published its Annual Statement of Priorities which details plans to invest £11.2 billion to help learners and employers in 2007-08. Seven billion pounds will be invested to enable more than 1.3 million young people in school, college or work-based learning to achieve qualifications. Plus, over £3 billion will be spent on adult learning, helping 4.2 million adults to improve their skills.

The report sets out funding priorities for learning and skills in England, including:

• One million adults reach Level 2
• More young people in learning than ever
• £460 million investment in Train to Gain to help 500,000 adults reach Level 2
• Roll-out of a National Learner Panel
• Changes to ESOL funding from 2007 - click here for more info

For more information and to read the LSC press release, please click here.

To see the Further Education Funding Guide for 2007/2008 please click here. 

The specific section on Skills for Life is on pages 351 - 407.

To see the Further Education Funding Guide for 2006/2007 please click here.

The specific section on Skills for Life is on pages 367 - 430.

To see the Further Education Funding Guide for 2005/2006 please click here.

The specific section on Skills for Life is in paragraphs 85 - 95.

To see the Further Education Funding Guide for 2004/2005 please click here.  

The specific section for Skills for Life is section 8, paragraphs 405-470.

To download the Further Education Funding Guide for 2003/2004, please click the link below:

A Guide to Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Funding 2003/04 (pdf)

If you need to contact head office:

Use our onsite mailbox – click on the ‘Contact Us’ link

Telephone: 0870 00 12345

Or write to:

Skills for Life Strategy Unit
Level 1
Caxton House
Department for Education and Skills
Tothill Street
London
SW1H 9NF