1. Post-16 Reform SCOTTISH QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY AWARDING BODY/SECTOR SKILLS COUNCILS MEETING 28 February 2012

2. Putting Learners at the Centre Launched on 14 September Set out proposals to reform post-16 education Policy context: –HE green paper –16+ Learner choices –Need for college reform –Programme for Government, SR2011, GES

3. Putting Learners at the Centre Coherent overview of the post-school landscape Goes beyond looking at sectors in isolation Focus on transitions and links between sectors Desire to improve alignment between sectors Put focus on learners – rather than institutions

4. Drivers for Reform Creating a more sustainable approach to funding post-16 education Better aligning outcomes with our Purpose and specifically our ambitions for jobs and growth (GES) Creating better life chances for all young people

5. Core Aims Build on our existing strengths and deliver these reforms in a way that helps drives growth and develops the economy Ensure that colleges, universities and training providers are ready and able to respond to the new demands Improve the successful transitions between school, training, college and university – into work

6. Implementation Projects HE Governance Student Support College Regionalisation Learner Journey Employability Research

7. Key Announcements Opportunities for All College Regionalisation Student Support changes

8. Consultation Themes - General Need to focus on improving and enhancing the experience of the learner Do reforms would take adequate account of the needs of more vulnerable learners? Implementing the reforms in a challenging economic climate Importance of clear and accessible information, advice and guidance Endorsement for better collaborative working across the post 16 landscape

9. Consultation Themes – Qualifications and Courses “…CAREFUL ABOUT MATCHING TO JOBS…” Support for targeting resource at courses and qualifications designed to improve employability or core skills, but…. …caution re ever close matching of courses and quals to jobs – we are not good at predictions and too great a focus on specific skills detract from key cross cutting skills that also need to be developed Some respondents supported only funding courses that were vocational in nature or supported by professional bodies or employers….. ….whilst others respondents saw a diminution in the breadth of courses available as an erosion of a key strength of the college sector and the service they provide to learners And…. Some desire for faster qualification development to maintain currency and relevance

10. Consultation Themes - SCQF “NEEDS TO RAISE PROFILE…” SCQF key part of the responses Broadly recognised and supported Differing views on how it should be used in future to support progression - used as a basis for funding or not? Promotion and raising its profile for learners, parents and employers

11. Consultation Themes - Engaging with Employers “…ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL…” We need to have confidence in national, regional and local LMI. Plethora of intermediaries make it too complex for employers to engage effectively Too much bureaucracy. Employers who have been involved in the development of training found the process would not have participated had they know how time consuming it was. Colleges think they have it right but are poor at communicating with employers College felt employers had a duty to understand the supply system better. Organisations like OPITO work because they are owned and funded by employers. Systems which receive public funding end up serving the needs of Gov and not the needs of industry. On the other hand, some SSCs responded that OPITO etc. worked well in what is a rich and clearly defined sector. This is not the case for most Scottish employers who are more likely to be small and belong to a much less clearly delineated sector.

12. Challenges Want a system that gives learners choice Flexibility must be at the heart of this but… We also we want efficiency and stability And to reduce unnecessary duplication and… We need to recognise that learners do not all take a linear journey

13. Next Steps Response to Putting Learners at the Centre Continuing implementation projects Developing Legislation Ongoing consultation

14. Challenges and Engagement What do you think are the key challenges for your sector? As we move into the implementation of the post-16 review, how should we engage? What should the next steps be for you in the context of these wider reforms?

15. Any Questions?