§ Mrs. DeanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the role of further education colleges in meeting skills needs. [138378]
§ Mr. WicksMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State set out his vision for the future role of further education colleges in a speech to the Association of Colleges earlier this week. He announced a new initiative to enable colleges to develop vocational excellence. It is proposed that, by 2004–05, half of all general FE colleges should have an established vocational specialism in which they are regarded as a centre of excellence. This major initiative will encourage and enable colleges to meet more effectively the changing skills needs of the new economy.
In addition, my right hon. Friend announced the speeding up of the programme of area inspections. These are key tools in enabling the Learning and Skills Council, and colleges themselves, to foster excellence in provision for 16–18 year olds.
A pamphlet outlining the speech has been published and a copy placed in the Library of the House.
314Wsuccessful multiple school projects, we did not require LEAs to state how much would be allocated to each school.
The following south Derbyshire constituency schools have benefited from NDS funding.