NEW INDEPENDENT COMMISSION ON LIFELONG LEARNING IN ENGLAND SET UP BY VINCE CABLE
Leading figures from across the FE and Adult Education sector have joined the new Independent Commission on Lifelong Learning created by VINCE CABLE, Liberal Democrats Leader.
The chair of the commission has said it will make “bold and far reaching” recommendations, which will be “informed by open and wide-reaching engagement”. Rajay Naik, chief executive of Keypath Education, former director of the Open University and former member of the National Careers Council, made his comments as the expert panel for the commission, launched by Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Vince Cable in March, was confirmed.
The list of members includes the chief executives of the Association of Colleges, the Learning and Work Institute, and the Workers’ Educational Association, as well as the president of the National Union of Students and Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the Royal Society of Arts. The chair, Dame Ruth Silver who lead an earlier review of the UK Careers Profession and Ruth Silver OBE, a former member of the National Careers Council each have a clear grasp of all-age careers provision and where gaps and blockages exist in current arrangements.
The commission plans to publish its views on the current range of study options for adults in June, before receiving evidence on how those routes can be incentivised and encouraged. It will consider the viability of ideas such as Individual Learning Accounts, as well as other options to increase access to further education, online learning, part-time study and retraining services.
Sir Vince said: “This is a high-calibre group chaired by Rajay Naik and I’m very pleased that they are looking into this important but often overlooked part of the education and skills landscape. They have made an impressive start and I am sure that they will identify strong proposals to increase opportunities to access education and training, particularly in light of fast-paced economic and technological change.”
Mr Naik said: “I am delighted that we have brought together such an outstanding panel. Our team will now be consulting widely to ensure that we fully understand the barriers to adult study and bring forward practical and ambitious plans to ensure that our nation has the skills it needs to succeed.”
Commission members
Rajay Naik – chief executive, Keypath Education (Chair)
David Barrett – associate director of fair access and participation, Office for Students
Professor Stuart Croft – vice chancellor and president, The University of Warwick
Stephen Evans – chief executive, Learning and Work Institute David Hughes – chief executive, Association of Colleges
Sir Simon Hughes – external adviser to The Open University
Shakira Martin – president, National Union of Students
Polly Mackenzie – director, Demos
Dame Ruth Silver – president, Further Education Trust for Leadership
Ruth Spellman – chief executive and general secretary, Workers Educational Association
Matthew Taylor – chief executive, Royal Society of Arts