Much of my dialogue with colleagues across the sector in recent months has been occupied with the multifaceted nature of the transformational change facing us.

From the new freedoms afforded providers by the Government and the accompanying requirement for greater accountability and responsibility, to the impact of the longest sustained period of cuts since the 1950s – the implications of such change are fundamental and far-reaching.

It is clear the sector needs to be at the strategic table now more than at any other time in order to respond and contribute effectively to the agendas emerging from this new political landscape.

And New Freedoms: New Focus, our strategic framework published today, provides the reference point for just such a response to ensure the continued improvement and development of our services.

New Freedoms: New Focus provides a platform for reflection on the sector’s past achievements, for review of the changes we have undergone and are yet to go through as a result of dynamic change, and is means of ensuring we at LSIS remain responsive to sector needs as the collective vision for its future role is unfolding.

The framework offers analysis of the contexts in which the learning and skills sector is now operating and provides an accompanying a set of Strategic Intentions 2011-2014 setting out LSIS’s areas of focus as we raise the bar higher in driving improvement and development to meet future needs.

It takes account of how the sector’s commitment to self-improvement has paid dividends for learners with 4.6 million people being supported by colleges and providers across England last year -  noting the high levels of satisfaction among learners and employers, and of the significant representation of learners from ethnic and minority groups.

The framework looks at the impacts of the sector’s wider contribution to social and economic life with a return on investment in qualifications started in 2008/09  estimated at £75 billion over the years in which successful learners remain in the workforce.

It also looks in detail at other drivers for change. These include the changes in patterns of employment and their implications of recession on people with few or no skills; changes in higher education offering opportunities to the sector to support young adults into productive careers; the march of technology in creating different perspectives on future work, and the significant social changes taking place as the population ages.

The framework also further builds upon and broadens the evaluation of research commissioned by LSIS from the 2020 Public Services Hub at the RSA The further education and skills sector in 2020: a social productivity approach. This report provided an independent perspective on the sector’s future role in serving the needs of learners, employers and local communities as part of the Big Society.

As I continue my regional conversations and visits there will be further opportunity to discuss and debate the topics and concerns highlighted by New Freedoms: New Focus.

I look forward to meeting you and working together with you to deliver our new plans.

Rob Wye
Chief Executive