The government is providing nearly £3.5bn this year to the Skills Funding Agency to support training places, and a further £1bn to support other areas of further education spending.
Government funding to the Skills Funding Agency in 2010/11 will aim to:
- Support progression for students through different types of education and strengthen the supply of technician level skills to the economy, particularly through level 3 apprenticeships
- Prioritise vocational qualifications that are understood and valued by employers
- Work with business and skills organisations to promote greater employer engagement and better use of existing skills in the workplace
- Reduce the number of 18 to 24-year-olds not in employment, education or training
- Secure high quality training opportunities for unemployed people to get the skills needed for work-readiness, sustainable employment and progression in learning and work
- Provide independent careers guidance to enable people to make better choices about their future
- Develop a programme of Lifelong Learning Accounts to create informed and empowered learners with a thirst for learning and new knowledge
- Encourage more people to participate in adult and community learning
- Implement joint investment proposals in high-value areas of the economy, working with employers to boost skills
Nearly £550m will be spent in 2010/11 supporting apprenticeships and another £757m on other forms of work-based learning.
This all sounds pretty positive! doesn’t it?