§ Alistair BurtTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment has been made by learning and skills councils of the number of further education colleges with business partnerships; what proportion of colleges this represents; and if he will make a statement. [104077]
§ Margaret HodgeThe Learning and Skills Council (LSC) does not count the number of FE colleges with business partnerships. We are going to receive "employer engagement" as part of delivery contracts.
However, many FE colleges have already developed effective business partnerships, most recently through the creation of Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVE), which are focused on meeting the skills needs of employers. Currently 137 FE colleges in England have a CoVE, including three CoVEs in the Bedfordshire & Luton LSC area. By March 2006 we will have created 400 CoVEs nationally.
40WFrom April local Strategic Area Reviews will be used in part to assess the links FE colleges have with employers and to ensure that the pattern of provision matches local skill needs.
From August, colleges will agree three year development plans with their local LSC. Funding for the sector will be allocated in return for each college meeting key headline targets, including targets for employer engagement. The targets will be specific to the mission and role each college will play in responding to local skill needs.