At this year’s Liberal Democrat Party Conference, the Education Policy Institute has partnered with AoC to hold a public panel on: ‘The role of colleges in regional skills growth’
Devolution of powers from Westminster to England’s regions has been a priority for governments since 2014, with nine regional mayors currently established, and is set to accelerate under the current Government. In education, devolved powers have control over the adult education and skills budget and although the English Devolution White Paper confirms 16-19 education will not be devolved, combined authorities will be able to feed in their priorities to support the further education sector in shaping provision. Local Skills Improvement Plans will now be jointly owned by combined authorities and designated employer representative bodies, facilitating opportunities for 16–19 year-olds and allowing for skills offerings to reflect local economic and business priorities.
This direction of travel presents significant opportunities, particularly for local partnership building to bring together colleges, businesses and regional policymakers to design education and training tailored to local business needs. However, greater devolution also has its challenges: research from the Association of Colleges shows that colleges report an increased burden of bureaucracy and reporting required by combined authorities, the administration of which can eat into funding, and that the role played in strategic decisions varies by region, potentially creating inequities.
In their 2024 manifesto, the Liberal Democrats asserted the importance of devolving power to the ‘lowest practicable level’, strengthening the powers of principal local authorities over education. They also pledged a skills offering including the creation of a ‘lifelong skills grant’ of at least £5,000 per adult; the extension of the pupil premium to include disadvantaged 16-18 pupils; and increases to college funding. To align with national skills strategies, they also proposed the development of National Colleges focusing on developing vocational skills for key sectors. These policies are welcome but it is worth considering what more can be done in the 16-19 education space to ensure the opportunities of devolution are both fully realised and felt equally across the country.
This timely panel will bring together politicians, college and business leaders to consider, within the parameters set by the English Devolution White Paper, the role that local partnerships can play in addressing local skills gaps, supporting young people not in education, employment or training and driving regional growth. Panellists will also discuss how to ensure equity for both colleges and leaders across an increasingly fragmented system and what infrastructure may be needed for such partnerships to flourish. Ultimately, recognising the potential and challenges posed by devolution to post-16 education providers, panellists will discuss potential policy solutions, including how the Liberal Democrats can build upon their skills offering and responses to the government’s devolution plans.
Speakers will be announced in due course.
** Note: This event will take place in the conference secure zone. To access the secure zone you will need to obtain a pass directly from the Liberal Democrat Party.**
