DIUS FE and Skills e-Newsletter

Ref: F74

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers, school sixth forms, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders (ie everyone in the FE system)

As the UK stands up to the challenges of the global economic climate James Purnell and John Denham have joined forces to announce a massive cash injection of £100m over the next three years to give much needed help to people who lose their jobs.  The extra cash will be available for people who are currently facing redundancy and those looking for work to help them retrain and develop their skills so that they can quickly move back into sustainable employment, either in their existing sector or a brand new one.

Skills Secretary John Denham said: "This extra funding will help the Learning and Skills Council, with local colleges and training providers, to work closely with Jobcentre Plus to make sure those people affected get access to the services they need as quickly as possible."

For further information please visit the DWP website.

Contact:
Website: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/mediacentre/pressreleases/2008/oct/emp113-151008.asp

Ref: F67

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers, school sixth forms, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders (ie everyone in the FE system)

Following the reshuffle there have been a number of ministerial changes in DIUS. John Denham remains Secretary of State.  David Lammy has been promoted to Minister of State and Lord Paul Drayson joins DIUS as Minister of State. Sion Simon MP and Lord Tony Young join us as Parliamentary Under Secretaries of State.  Three Ministers depart to take up new positions in other Departments - Bill Rammell, Ian Pearson and Baroness Delyth Morgan.  For further details please visit the DIUS website.

Contact:
Website: http://www.dius.gov.uk

Ref: F69

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers, school sixth forms, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders (ie everyone in the FE system)

The new DIUS online publications website is now live and ready for use. The online database brings together publications that were previously stored by different logistic suppliers and presented on many different websites including BERR, DCSF, Teachernet, Skills for Life, Aimhigher and the DIUS corporate website. You can order hard copies, download PDF versions or search the database by keyword or unique reference number (URN).  Please take a look at the site by going to the reports and publications page on the corporate website and following instructions from there.

We would welcome any feedback you may have on this new online publications database - please contact publications@dius.gsi.gov.uk  

Contact:
Email: publications@dius.gsi.gov.uk

Ref: F73 

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers, school sixth forms, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders (ie everyone in the FE system)

In 2007 The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) published the first ever Children’s Plan to put the needs of children, young people and families at the centre of everything it does.

The DCSF is now publishing ‘Delivering 14-19 Reform: Next Steps’. It presents a clear picture of the DCSF’s overall 14 to 19 reform programme in terms of progress to date; further developments since 2005; and wider objectives for every child aged 0 to 19 and beyond as set out in the Children’s Plan.

For more information and to download the publication please visit the DCSF website.

Contact:
Website: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/publications/14-19nextsteps/

Ref: F72

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers, school sixth forms, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders (ie everyone in the FE system)

The third edition of the 16-18 and post 19 funding transfer bulletin is now available by following this link: http://www.dius.gov.uk/policy/raising_expectations.html  

Contact:
Website: http://www.dius.gov.uk/policy/raising_expectations.html  

Ref: S1

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers, school sixth forms, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders, all with an interest in skills for employment – as users or providers, skills for life practitioners, teachers, support staff and anyone with an interest in literacy or numeracy, union learning reps, employers, voluntary organisations who work with the unemployed

The Department for Innovation Universities and Skills has launched a consultation to get the views of scientists, media, businesses, teachers and the wider public about key issues on the relationship between science and society. Among the vital questions are how to promote greater public involvement, enjoyment and confidence in science and how to increase the number of young people taking up science as a career.

At the heart of the consultation is an interactive online ‘hub’  which aims to focus debate online. Contribute your own ideas to the interactive hub and help them get the word out about the consultation – maybe by putting something about the consultation on your website or blog.  Alternatively contact scienceandsociety@dius.gsi.gov.uk if you have any queries, feedback or ideas.

The consultation closes on 17 October 2008.

Contact:
Email: scienceandsociety@dius.gsi.gov.uk
Web: http://interactive.dius.gov.uk/scienceandsociety/site/

Ref: F70

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers, school sixth forms, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders, all staff and managers of FE college and independent providers, and national partners/stakeholders

The Bureaucracy Reduction Group and the FE Communications Gateway Panel are the sector-led groups which scrutinise policy development plans and the way they are expressed for staff and providers. Both groups have published reports of their work so far. The Report of the work of the Bureaucracy Reduction Group September 2007 – August 2008 is available on the BRG website along with details of the membership and Terms of Reference, at www.fe-brg.org.uk  

The FE Communications Gateway Panel has published its review of the first year of the FE communications gateway panel. This includes guidance for authors on the communication issues the panel will consider when reviewing material intended for FE providers. The review and guidance is included as part of information about the panel available on-line at
http://www.dius.gov.uk/policy/furthereducation.html  

The Panel also welcomes comments on material received or accessed by staff in FE providers, identifying both good and bad examples. Comments should be sent to the panel communications advisor (email address below).

Contact:
Websites: www.fe-brg.org.uk
Email: fe.reform@dius.gsi.gov.uk

Ref: P50

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers, voluntary providers, school 6th forms (all post-16 providers)

Ed Balls and Alan Johnson have written to all secondary schools informing them of the new give and let live education pack and website produced by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). The pack and website promote the idea of donation amongst young people, and give accurate information about donating at an early age.
The pack is inspired by the late Adrian Sudbury, who campaigned before his death for young people, including those within the FE sector, to be provided with education on the importance of blood, bone marrow, tissue and organ donation. 

For further information read the full letter or visit the give and let live website.

Contact:
Website: www.giveandletlive.co.uk

Ref: P51

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers, school sixth forms, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders (ie everyone in the FE system)

Partner a college abroad
Linking with an education provider in another country supports student interaction and can focus on enterprise, work experience and qualifications, or in some cases it could lead to students organising their own gap year enterprise or international event.

Email editor@globalgateway.org with your queries or ideas and put FE in the subject line. The Global Gateway  editorial team will then send you some suggested partnerships and more details about available support and funding.

Contact:
Email: editor@globalgateway.org

Ref: S19

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers, school sixth forms, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders (ie everyone in the FE system)

On 1 October 2008, the Centre for Excellence in Leadership (CEL) and the Quality Improvement Agency (QIA) completed the transfer of their businesses and contracts to the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS).  Roger McClure, chief executive of LSIS, said, "The creation of LSIS marks the beginning of a new and important era in which a self-regulated community of colleges and providers will be entrusted to offer excellent – and continually improving – learning and skills provision to the nation, raising the skills and prosperity of its people." 

LSIS combines the best aspects of two different and highly successful sector bodies – CEL and QIA . As a sector-owned public body, LSIS will be owned, directed and governed by FE and skills colleges and providers, and will be dedicated to supporting excellence, leadership development and self-regulation in the FE sector.  LSIS will be consulting with the sector during autumn 2008 and spring 2009 about its priorities and remit.  Corporate news and information about LSIS may be found on its interim website at www.lsis.org.uk.

Contact:
Website: www.lsis.org.uk  

Ref: F71

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers, school sixth forms, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders (ie everyone in the FE system) 

Colleges Week is a celebration of the role colleges play across the country in unlocking talent in communities and transforming the lives of learners. Colleges Week provides an opportunity for staff and students to celebrate their achievements.  The week’s events will focus on five themes to demonstrate the effects colleges have on developing skills, delivering excellence, building strong communities, helping businesses to succeed and transforming lives.

Contact:
Website: www.collegesweek.org
Email: help@collegesweek.org

Ref: P52

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers, school sixth forms, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders (ie everyone in the FE system)

International Education Week 2008 (IEW) will be held between 17 - 21 November 2008.  It is an excellent opportunity to show the world how an international dimension has benefited your school, college or organisation. We encourage everyone at all levels of education across England to join in the celebrations.

We are not asking anyone to do anything extra (unless you feel you want to!) but if you are planning any events related to your international activities in the Autumn, please consider holding them between 17 - 21 November so that the whole country can celebrate together.

To inform us of your plans for the week please email iew.england@jiu.gsi.gov.uk  or visit www.globalgateway.org/iew for more information.

Contact:
Email:  iew.england@jiu.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.globalgateway.org/iew  

Ref:  F66

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers, school sixth forms, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders (ie everyone in the FE system)

The FE and skills e-newsletter was launched in November 2007 and is now in its 13th edition with over 3500 subscribers.  You are invited to tell us what you think of the newsletter, and offer suggestions for improvement.  Please take a moment to complete our brief online survey by clicking on the link below.  It should only take a couple of minutes and will help us to provide you the information that you are interested in.  We look forward to hearing from you!

FE and skills e-newsletter evaluation 

Contact:
Email: dius.communications@dius.gsi.gov.uk

Ref: F68

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers, school sixth forms, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders (ie everyone in the FE system)

Don't forget to submit your entries for the DIUS Christmas e-card competition.  The winning card will be circulated with the December edition of this newsletter and the winning entrant and a staff member from the relevant college will be invited to have lunch in the House of Lords and to visit one of our partners such as the Design Council or The Space Centre.

The deadline for e-card entries is Friday 21st November 2008. Completed entries should be emailed to: dius.communications@dius.gsi.gov.uk.  To view last year’s winning e-card from Matthew Boulton College please visit the DIUS website.  For further information see the full article in the September edition of this newsletter.

Contact:
Email: dius.communications@dius.gsi.gov.uk