Do We Have a Learning and Skills Sector in Scotland?

1
Do We Have a Learning and Skills Sector in
Scotland?

• Jim Gallacher
• Centre for Research in Lifelong Learning Glasgow
  Caledonian University

2
The Policy Context

• Lifelong learning agenda has continued to be more
  influential in Scotland skills emphasized, but
  less dominant than in England
• Learning and Skills is not a dominant discourse
• Two policy phases
• 1997-2007 Labour and Liberal Democrat Coalition
• 2007- Minority Scottish National Government

3
Policy Context 1997-2009

• Key Themes 1997-2007
• Lifelong learning
• collaboration
• Social inclusion
• Skills
• Key Document
• Lifelong Learning Strategy (Scottish Executive,
  2003)
• Key themes 2007 -
• skills with Scot Nat Government emphasis on
  sustainable economic growth
• Skill Utilisation
• cradle to grave concept of lifelong learning
• Key Document
• Skills Strategy 2007
• Continuing Policy frameworks
• More Choices More Chances 2006 (NEET Group)
• Curriculum for Excellence 2004

4
The Organisations The SFC

• Scottish Funding Council for Further Higher
  Education (SFC) established 2005
• Merger of SFEFC (1999) SHEFC (1992)
• securing the coherent provision of a high
  quality of fundable further and higher
  education
• Funds FE HE level work in Scotlands Colleges
  (43 at present 3 in process of merger)
• Funding on basis of SUMs (Student Units of
  Measurement 40 hours)
• Budget 2009-10
• Colleges 630m
• HEIs 1669.9m
• Skills Committee now joint with SDS

5
The Organisations SQA

• Scottish Qualifications Agency (SQA) established
  1998
• Merger of
• Scottish Examinations Board (SEB) Scottish
  Vocational Educational Council (SCOTVEC)
• Responsible for
• Developing and validating qualifications
• Accrediting qualifications
• Approving educational and training establishments
• Arrangements for assessments of SQA
  qualifications
• Quality Assurance of educational and training
  establishments
• Issuing Certificates
• SQA Qualifications
• National Qualifications Access level up to
  Highers Advanced Highers
• HNC/Ds
• Scottish Vocational Qualifiactions (SVQs)
• Professional Development Awards (PDAs) and
  similar

6
The Organisations SCQF

• Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
  (SCQF) established 2001
• Development Partners
• Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)
• SQA
• Scottish Executive
• Universities Scotland
• Association of Scotlands Colleges became partner

7
The Organisations SDS

• Skills Development Scotland (SDS) established
  2008
• Merger of
• Careers Scotland
• Skills elements from Scottish Enterprise
  Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE)
• Scottish University for Industry (Learndirect
  ILA Scotland The Big Plus)
• National Training Programmes
• Modern Apprenticeships 16 age group now
  extended to SVQ L2
• Skillseekers 16-19 age group being phased out
  as MAs extended
• Get Ready for work 16-19
• Training for Work support for unemployed 18 and
  over
• IAG Careers Scotland Learndirect
• Funding for Learners ILAs 200 500
• Literacy Numeracy The Big Plus
• Budget for 2008-09 184.44m
• Funding for Training Providers

8
Students in Scotlands Colleges by Level of Study
1998-99 2001-02 2007-08
No No No
HE 71,110 17 64,132 12 47,770 13
FE 350,446 83 450,669 88 441,840 87
Total 421,556 514,801 489,610
Source SFC Infact Database
9
Students in Scotlands Colleges by Age
HE FE Total
Under 16 0 20 18
16 - 18 23 16 17
19 - 24 33 13 15
25 - 59 44 44 44
60 -64 0 3 3
65 over 0 4 4

Source SFC Infact Database
10
Students in Scotlands Colleges by Type of
Qualification
No of Students 2001-02 2007-08
HNC 25,469 17,813
HND 17,694 15,855
S/NVQ L5 103 20
S/NVQ L4 821 1520
S/NVQ L3 11,411 17,399
S/NVQ L2 16,782 13,507
S/NVQ L1 2,080 2,308
Source SFC Infact Database
11
Top 12 MA Frameworks Numbers in Training
MA 16-24 Male Female Total
March 1999 9169 1356 10525
July 2005 16147 6071 22218
MA 25 Male Female Total
April 2002 1708 2762 4470
July 2005 3313 4842 5155
Source SDS
12
MAs Numbers in Training April 2008-March 2009
Number Male Female
16 -19 21,679 85 15
20 4,935 78 22
Total 26,614 84 16
Source SDS
13
More Choices More Chances

• 16-19 Age group not in education, employment or
  Training
• 2007 12 of young women, 12 of young men
• Scotland has lowest percentage of 15 -19
  year-olds in education or training in OECD - only
  about 63 compared with OECD average of 83 (OECD
  2007).

14
Scottish domiciled students participation in
Colleges and HEIs by level and deprivation
quintile 2005-06
College HE level College FE level HEI
Least deprived quintile 18 16 31
2nd quintile 19 20 25
Middle quintile 19 21 19
4th quintile 22 21 15
Most deprived quintile 22 22 10
Total 100 100 100
SFC 2008
15
Emerging Issues

• Stable funding regime has helped establish a
  fairly strong college sector
• Role of SQA as a national validating and awarding
  agency has been significant
• Issues associated with declining HNC/D numbers in
  colleges
• Despite emphasis on collaboration, and
  establishment of organisations to encourage this
  impact has been limited
• Colleges relatively successful in attracting
  students from areas of deprivation, but
  significant numbers remain unqualified
• Impact of SDS remains to be seen
• Skills Utilisation requires development and
  implementation