1. Welcome The Wider Skills Landscape Tony Allen – Skills Director (South East)

2. Coalition Government are committed to reforming the system of sub-national economic development including: –Replacement of Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) –Change in the future of Business Links –Development of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) National Changes (1)

3. –New role for the Young People’s Learning Agency (YPLA) and Local Authorities (LAs) –Change in the future of Government Offices, Strategic Health Authorities and Leaders Boards/Local Government Associations (LGAs) –New Work Programme - Jobcentre Plus (JCP)/DWP –Development of the Regional Growth Fund A Comprehensive Spending Review 20 October 2010 (with an average of 25% cut across departments) National Changes (2)

4. Skills Funding Agency Change in our role and nature of our relationships Focus on funding and regulation, responsive to customer needs Limited intervention - only by exception Not a planning body Leaner and fitter Achieve more for less

5. Key questions (for regions) 1. Are you aware of the local plans for a LEP in your area? 2. Have you begun any discussion with LAs/Chambers in regard to LEPs? 3. If you are free to respond to local demand – how informed are you about local opportunities/vacancies/market failure etc? 4. What value have you got/do you see from the regional skills priority work? How do you intend to use it? 5. How would you consider using the UKCES Skills Audit in your own business planning? 6. How do you relate/work with SSCs? 7. What opportunities might there be for working more closely/engaging with other key stakeholders including Local Authorities and Jobcentre Plus