Following the publication of the new National Improvement Strategy for the learning and skills sector (NIS), the Learning and Skills Improvement Service has published its Strategic Ambitions, a document describing LSIS’s work ahead. 

In early 2009, LSIS entered a dialogue with the sector to identify the key principles to underpin improvement and support for the learning and skills sector in coming years. It also asked how these principles should be put into practice.

Following this, the NIS has been developed and endorsed by the National Improvement Partnership Board. It provides an overarching framework to enable everyone working in learning and skills to take greater ownership of their organisation’s improvement, achieving even greater success in the process.

Commenting on the development of the new NIS, Graham Hoyle OBE, chairman of the National Improvement Partnership Board said, “On behalf of the NIPB, I wish to thank everyone who contributed to the consultation earlier this year. The feedback was overwhelmingly supportive of our proposed direction of travel and I am pleased with what we have developed together. The challenge for the NIPB now is to turn this strategy into action to deliver a coherent, responsive, flexible and sustainable service across the sector.”

In addition, the dialogue ensured that the core improvement principles in the NIS and the aims and intentions laid out in Strategic Ambitions are based on the concerns and priorities of real people working in learning and skills. The sector’s own aspiration to achieve excellence lies at the heart of LSIS’s future direction and evolution.

The primary themes covered by the document include engaging the sector far more in the design and delivery of LSIS’s services and ensuring an effective and tailored package of support for each provider. Strategic Ambitions recognises the complexity of the sector and the increased demands placed on it by the economic downturn, emphasising the sector’s determination to take greater responsibility for its own strategic development.

LSIS is now moving into its next phase of development. Over the coming months, the organisation will be designing new business models and finalising a corporate plan for 2010–11. This will be based on ongoing dialogue with providers and will meet the needs voiced by the sector.

Dame Ruth Silver DBE, chair of the LSIS board, commented on the publication: “This document has been developed in conversation with the sector, for the sector. We are accelerating the drive for excellence through working with providers, using their experience and expertise as instruments to improve. I urge everyone to share these documents with staff, board members and governing bodies for this is the start of the sector leading on self-improvement and on behalf of LSIS I want to make it a successful one.”  

StrategicAmbitions.pdf









NewNIS.pdf