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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Skills scheme restrictive - MPs | Skills scheme restrictive - MPs |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A scheme to encourage employers to take more responsibility for training their staff has been criticised by MPs. | A scheme to encourage employers to take more responsibility for training their staff has been criticised by MPs. |
| The government's Train to Gain programme subsidises staff training in England in job-related skills such as maths, computing or management. | The government's Train to Gain programme subsidises staff training in England in job-related skills such as maths, computing or management. |
| The Commons education select committeesays subsidies may be going to firms which would have trained their staff anyway, and bureaucracy should be cut. | |
| The government said it was committed to better skills for employers and staff. | The government said it was committed to better skills for employers and staff. |
| The cross-party education select committee's report on post-16 skills said there was a "strong warning sign" that changes to the system may be required. | The cross-party education select committee's report on post-16 skills said there was a "strong warning sign" that changes to the system may be required. |
| Better advice | Better advice |
| The MPs said there needed to be better progress on reducing bureaucracy and paperwork when enrolling new learners. | The MPs said there needed to be better progress on reducing bureaucracy and paperwork when enrolling new learners. |
| And learners needed better information, advice and guidance to find their way around the system. | And learners needed better information, advice and guidance to find their way around the system. |
| The MPs also said there must be efforts to reduce overlaps between different agencies. | The MPs also said there must be efforts to reduce overlaps between different agencies. |
| The MPs warn that some English language lessons are at risk | The MPs warn that some English language lessons are at risk |
| Their report raised concerns about a fall in the number of adult learners. | Their report raised concerns about a fall in the number of adult learners. |
| It said: "We are particularly concerned about the potential negative impact on the most disadvantaged individuals, including disabled people and those with the very lowest level of skills. | It said: "We are particularly concerned about the potential negative impact on the most disadvantaged individuals, including disabled people and those with the very lowest level of skills. |
| "There needs to be an urgent review of how best to support the development of soft and enabling skills for older learners. | "There needs to be an urgent review of how best to support the development of soft and enabling skills for older learners. |
| "This is important in promoting equity and equality." | "This is important in promoting equity and equality." |
| MPs also lamented the fact that some funding for English for Speakers of Other Languages (Esol) meant many classes were at risk. | MPs also lamented the fact that some funding for English for Speakers of Other Languages (Esol) meant many classes were at risk. |
| "We urge the government to review the funding arrangements for Esol as a matter of urgency," they said. | "We urge the government to review the funding arrangements for Esol as a matter of urgency," they said. |
| And the report said higher education should not be allowed to dominate the work of the new Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. | And the report said higher education should not be allowed to dominate the work of the new Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. |
| 'High ambitions' | 'High ambitions' |
| Chairman of the select committee, Barry Sheerman, said: "We very much welcome the increased focus on skills, but some crucial issues need addressing if the government's high ambitions are going to be realised. | Chairman of the select committee, Barry Sheerman, said: "We very much welcome the increased focus on skills, but some crucial issues need addressing if the government's high ambitions are going to be realised. |
| "More 'demand-led' learning is a good idea in principle, but it is not currently being translated into practice. It is vital that we get skills policy right." | "More 'demand-led' learning is a good idea in principle, but it is not currently being translated into practice. It is vital that we get skills policy right." |
| Minister Lord Triesman said: "We will continue to works towards a more streamlined system, focusing on delivering a more market-oriented service. | Minister Lord Triesman said: "We will continue to works towards a more streamlined system, focusing on delivering a more market-oriented service. |
| "The government is committed to strengthening the UK's economic position, ensuring that employers have the right skills to support the success of their business and that employees have the necessary skills to be both employable and personally fulfilled." | "The government is committed to strengthening the UK's economic position, ensuring that employers have the right skills to support the success of their business and that employees have the necessary skills to be both employable and personally fulfilled." |
| The concerns of the MPs' committee were endorsed by the University and College Union. | The concerns of the MPs' committee were endorsed by the University and College Union. |
| General Secretary Sally Hunt said: "We have doubts about the emphasis on Train to Gain and about its implementation. | General Secretary Sally Hunt said: "We have doubts about the emphasis on Train to Gain and about its implementation. |
| "We agree with the committee that colleges should be encouraged to develop their support for local business. Resources to do that are important and, as the committee points out, a more flexible way of targeting funds is needed. | "We agree with the committee that colleges should be encouraged to develop their support for local business. Resources to do that are important and, as the committee points out, a more flexible way of targeting funds is needed. |
| "I welcome the concern expressed about reductions in adults learning and the calls for urgent reviews of how to develop enabling skills for older learners and of funding Esol." | "I welcome the concern expressed about reductions in adults learning and the calls for urgent reviews of how to develop enabling skills for older learners and of funding Esol." |