Westminster Watch - Westminster Watch 5

Westminster Watch

The latest on policy and politics affecting vocational education and innovation.

Two weeks left to enter the National Training Awards 2009 http://www.nationaltrainingawards.com/

Sponsored by City & Guilds, The National Training Awards identify and celebrate organisations and individuals that have achieved really outstanding business and personal success through investment in training

Deadline for nominations is 24 April.

8 April 2009

The latest edition of the DIUS FE & Skills Newsletter is now available online at http://dius.createsend.com/t/ViewEmail/r/DAB7BD992A2929D6/C67FD2F38AC4859C/

Contents this month include:

• FE Capital Programme - John Denham's statement on Sir Andrew Foster's report
• LSC announces CEO Mark Haysom has stepped down
• Apprenticeships, Train to Gain and FE colleges go from strength to strength
• 16-18 and post 19 funding transfer bulletins
• Nominations are now open for the 2009 Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) STAR Awards

1 April 2009

Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities & Skills, RT Hon John Denham MP, has sought to clarify the position of those colleges affected by the mismanagement of the FE capital programme: http://www.dius.gov.uk/news_and_speeches/announcements/fe_capital_programme

'…the priority is "to agree how the present demand-led approach to the programme is replaced by a needs-based approach with explicit priorities and choice criteria." The LSC is now consulting the sector on the approach which should be used in prioritising schemes.'

27 March

The Select Committee on Innovation, Universities, Science & Skills has published its latest report, 'Engineering: turning ideas into reality' http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmselect/cmdius/50/50i.pdf

26 March 2009

The Government has renewed its commitment to the Daresbury National Science & Innovation Campus http://www.dius.gov.uk/news_and_speeches/press_releases/daresbury

In particular, the Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills has:

• Announced that a new joint-venture company will be created to direct work towards a single vision to secure Daresbury's future as a national Science and Innovation Campus of international importance.  It will include a new 'Science Champion' to chair a new Advisory Group, inform the future Joint Venture and help attract to Daresbury's research programme the best scientists from around the country and the world.  
  
• Called on all relevant research councils and additional research intensive universities, not just those in the North West, to exploit the opportunities the Campus offers them.
  
• Renewed the Government's commitment to ensure that the facilities located at Daresbury are "internationally competitive, support world class science and maximise the opportunities for knowledge transfer".