Sustainable Development in the FE and Skills sector

Debbie WatsonDirector of Policy & Innovation26th February 2009

What do we mean by

Sustainable Development

• Quality of life for current and future generations– Development which meets the needs of the present

without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

• This means meeting four goals simultaneously– Social progress that recognises the needs of everyone– Effective protection of the environment – Prudent use of natural resources– The maintenance of high and stable levels of economic

growth and employment

LSC Strategy:

From Here to SustainabilityOur Vision

The learning and skills sector will proactively commit and contribute to sustainable development through:

– its management of resources

– the learning opportunities it delivers

– its engagement with communities and business

LSC Strategy:

From Here to Sustainability

The strategy has four themes which aim to deliver the vision:

– Positioning the sector and capacity building

– Buildings and estates

– Curriculum

– Community and business

What does this mean?

• Changing how we think and behave as an organisation so that we become an example of good practice

• Championing change in the FE system: working with national, regional and local partners to maximise the contribution the FE system can make to sustainable development

What progress have we

made?

Conclusions of progress report published September 2008:

• Recognise the contribution of our mainstream work• Significant progress has been made in some areas

but not in others • Measures of progress need clarifying• Changing context including abolition of LSC• Gaps in the strategy

Progress Report Conclusions

• Recognise the contribution of our mainstream work e.g.

– PSA target for young people

– PSA target for adult basic skills

– Communications about the value of learning and skills

Progress Report Conclusions

• Significant progress has been made in some areas of the strategy e.g.

– Capital– Sorted resources– Regional pilot projects– Internal LSC actions

• But not in others e.g.

– Education for Sustainable Development– Collaborative working

Progress Report Conclusions

• Measures of progress need clarifying

– Strategy does not identify clear targets

– Ownership of milestones is not clear

– No systemic reporting mechanisms in place

Progress Report Conclusions

Changing Context

– Funding priorities

– Demand-led system

– Abolition of LSC and creation of SFA and YPLA

Progress Report Conclusions

• Gaps in the Strategy

– Communications

– Sector leadership

Priorities to 2010• Developing further resources

• Celebrating good practice

• Zero Carbon Colleges

• Skills for a low carbon and resource efficient economy

• Working across the whole FE and Skills sector

• Embedding SD in the organisations that will succeed the LSC

Beyond 2010

Not clear yet whether there is a role for SFA or YPLA to lead on this agenda -

• Role of provider organisations in the sector?• Role of Learning and Skills Improvement Service?• Role of Ofsted?• Role of DIUS?

• Most importantly role of individual providers:– “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change

the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever does”

Margaret Mead