Do We Have a Learning and Skills Sector in Scotland? Jim Gallacher Centre for Research in Lifelong Learning Glasgow Caledonian University

The Policy Context Lifelong learning agenda has continued to be more influential in Scotland – skills emphasized, but less dominant than in England ‘Learning and Skills’ is not a dominant discourse Two policy phases – Labour and Liberal Democrat Coalition –2007- Minority Scottish National Government

Policy Context Key Themes –Lifelong learning –collaboration –Social inclusion –Skills Key Document –Lifelong Learning Strategy (Scottish Executive, 2003) Key themes –skills with Scot Nat Government – emphasis on ‘sustainable economic growth’ –Skill Utilisation –‘cradle to grave’ concept of lifelong learning Key Document –Skills Strategy 2007 Continuing Policy frameworks –More Choices More Chances 2006 (NEET Group) –Curriculum for Excellence 2004

The Organisations: The SFC Scottish Funding Council for Further & Higher Education (SFC) – established 2005 Merger of SFEFC (1999) & SHEFC (1992) ‘…securing the coherent provision… of a high quality of fundable further… and higher education’ Funds FE & HE level work in Scotland’s Colleges (43 at present – 3 in process of merger) Funding on basis of SUMs (Student Units of Measurement – 40 hours) Budget –Colleges £630m –HEIs £1669.9m Skills Committee now joint with SDS

The Organisations: SQA Scottish Qualifications Agency (SQA) established 1998 Merger of: Scottish Examinations Board (SEB) & Scottish Vocational Educational Council (SCOTVEC) Responsible for: Developing and validating qualifications Accrediting qualifications Approving educational and training establishments Arrangements for assessments of SQA qualifications Quality Assurance of educational and training establishments Issuing Certificates SQA Qualifications National Qualifications: Access level up to Highers & Advanced Highers HNC/Ds Scottish Vocational Qualifiactions (SVQs) Professional Development Awards (PDAs) and similar

The Organisations: SCQF Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) established 2001 Development Partners Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) SQA Scottish Executive Universities Scotland Association of Scotland’s Colleges became partner

The Organisations: SDS Skills Development Scotland (SDS) – established 2008 Merger of Careers Scotland Skills elements from Scottish Enterprise & Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Scottish University for Industry (Learndirect; ILA Scotland; The Big Plus) –National Training Programmes Modern Apprenticeships – 16+ age group – now extended to SVQ L2 Skillseekers – age group – being phased out as MAs extended Get Ready for work – Training for Work – support for unemployed 18 and over –IAG: Careers Scotland & Learndirect –Funding for Learners: ILAs 200 & 500 –Literacy & Numeracy: The Big Plus –Budget for : £184.44m –Funding for Training Providers

Students in Scotland’s Colleges by Level of Study No% % % HE71, , ,77013 FE350, , ,84087 Total421,556514,801489,610 Source: SFC Infact Database

Students in Scotland’s Colleges by Age HEFETotal Under 160%20%18% %16%17% %13%15% % %3% 65 & over0%4% Source: SFC Infact Database

Students in Scotland’s Colleges by Type of Qualification No of Students HNC25,46917,813 HND17,69415,855 S/NVQ L S/NVQ L S/NVQ L311,41117,399 S/NVQ L216,78213,507 S/NVQ L12,0802,308 Source: SFC Infact Database

Top 12 MA Frameworks: Numbers in Training MA 16-24MaleFemaleTotal March July MA 25+MaleFemaleTotal April July Source: SDS

MAs: Numbers in Training – April March 2009 Number% Male% Female , , Total26, Source: SDS

More Choices More Chances Age group not in education, employment or Training –2007: 12% of young women, 12% of young men Scotland has lowest percentage of year- olds in education or training in OECD - only about 63% compared with OECD average of 83% (OECD 2007).

Scottish domiciled students participation in Colleges and HEIs by level and deprivation quintile College HE level College FE level HEI Least deprived quintile 18%16%31% 2nd quintile19%20%25% Middle quintile 19%21%19% 4th quintile22%21%15% Most deprived quintile 22% 10% Total100% SFC 2008

Emerging Issues Stable funding regime has helped establish a fairly strong college sector Role of SQA as a national validating and awarding agency has been significant Issues associated with declining HNC/D numbers in colleges Despite emphasis on collaboration, and establishment of organisations to encourage this impact has been limited Colleges relatively successful in attracting students from areas of deprivation, but significant numbers remain unqualified Impact of SDS remains to be seen Skills Utilisation requires development and implementation