Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills

Welcome to DIUS Further Education

These pages are aimed at supporting those working in the Further Education system including Governors, and provide information on the latest policy developments that impact on its work.  

If you do not work in the sector, or wish to know more about FE learning opportunities, please follow this link to the Education and Learning pages of Directgov

Links to various useful external sites are provided, as are links to other pages on the DIUS and DCSF websites. 


New reforms to improve the delivery of adult and young people's skills - Raising Expectations consultation

 

 The Government have set out the details of the transfer of £7 billion to local authorities to help colleges and sixth forms deliver the reforms needed to raise the education and training leaving age to 18.

At the same time Government will direct £4 billion a year through a new agency to provide training and skills for adults, transforming the system to be responsive and demand-led.

The proposals are published by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills in a White Paper, Raising Expectations: enabling the system to deliver.

The plans will mean the dissolution of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) by 2010 and instead make local authorities responsible for offering all young people in their area a full menu of choices - both the new Diplomas and Apprenticeships alongside GCSEs and A levels.

 

Q&A brief on Machinery of Government changes 

A question and answer brief has been drawn together from issues raised by FE sector stakeholders, colleges and providers following the recent Machinery of Government changes. 

We are happy to take further issues and comments, which we will address in a further series of briefings which we will develop at regular intervals during the coming months. Please send any questions or comments to the FE Reform mailbox: FE.REFORM@dius.gsi.gov.uk