Survey reveals concern over councils' commissioning of further education
Joe Lepper
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Colleges and training providers have little confidence in councils' ability to effectively manage funding for further education, according to a latest survey.
Conducted by the Association of Colleges and the Association of Learning Providers (ALP), the survey found widespread concern about the way councils are planning and commissioning further education since they took responsibility for funding it in April.
Among the 65 training providers surveyed, just under half had little confidence in councils' knowledge of the sector. Among the 71 colleges that took part, nearly a quarter were unhappy with their local authority’s knowledge of further education.
Councils’ ability to communicate effectively with colleges and learning providers was also called into question. Among learning providers and college staff surveyed more than a third had no confidence in councils’ ability in this area.
Planning intentions for new colleges and provision of training was another worry. Among college staff, 43 per cent were concerned about councils’ intentions in this area. Among learning providers, 29 per cent expressed worry.
Paul Eeles, ALP director of sector reforms and 14-19, is optimistic the situation will improve. He said: "What we are hearing from councils is positive but that message is not filtering through. Lines of communication between providers and councils need to improve."
He added that the ALP is to run a series of workshops during the summer to help providers better understand the way councils are run. It is also in talks with the Local Government Association (LGA) over further measures to improve the relationship between councils and providers.
An LGA spokesperson added: "Local authorities are ready to win the confidence of colleges and providers everywhere by making this set up a success."