§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further measures he proposes to take to ensure that further education responds to the changing employment demands of industry and commerce.
Mr. JacksonOne purpose of the Education Reform Bill is to help further education colleges respond better to the needs of industry and commerce. The Bill will, if enacted, reform the selection and composition of college governing bodies, increasing the proportion of governors representing employment interests. It will also require the delegation to governing bodies of responsibility for the management of colleges, so that they can respond more quickly and effectively. Meanwhile, the Training Commission is continuing to develop its procedures for ensuring that LEA plans for further education take full account of labour market needs. And the National Council for Vocational Qualifications is working to establish a more rational structure of vocational qualifications which will ensure that trainging delivered through the further education system is more relevant to employment needs.