Excellence Gateway

Further education and the recession – stepping up to the challenge

The FE and skills sector has a key role in supporting employment and skills strategies to mitigate the effects of the economic crisis and prepare for the upturn.  Their role in their local communities, relationships with employers and the economy of their region, place them in a key position to support government strategies.

This page, pages on the excellence gateway and LSIS support aim to support the sector to maximise its contribution to combating recession by sharing experience and practice and developing a strategic perspective on the part it can play in economic recovery. This page provides an overview of the impact of the recession on employment and skills, and the measures and strategies being developed by government that are relevant to the FE and skills sector. It also provides examples of ways that the sector is responding to the recession in order to share effective practice. Over time we will be enhancing the pages to establish an interactive facility to allow on-line discussion and to include examples of international strategies that we can learn from and intend.

We would like your advice about how to develop the pages so that it can become a really effective resource to FE and skills practitioners and leaders as well as national and regional bodies engaged in fighting the recession and preparing for economic recovery.

FE and the financial crisis - stepping up to the challenge - LSIS paper

This paper provides a panoramic view of the financial crisis and draws together the measures and actions being taken by government that are particularly relevant to the FE and skills sector. It looks at the implications of the crisis for FE, and identifies concrete examples of ways the sector is supporting economic recovery, inviting further ideas to be shared through a dedicated website.

  FE and the Financial Crisis - Stepping up to the challenge

The paper includes sections on (click on the title to read the section):

  1. Introduction and background
  2. Effects on public finances
  3. Creation of new economic councils
  4. Specific measures to combat the crisis
  5. Other effects of the financial crisis
  6. Effects on the Leitch agenda
  7. What is the FE and skills sector doing?
  8. Implications for FE 

LSIS support for providers during the economic downturn 

Here you will be able to find out what LSIS can offer in support of your provision during this economic downturn. The page on the Excellence Gateway answers questions such as:

  • I’m a provider looking to improve my employer responsiveness so as to be more flexible during the current economic downturn. What help can LSIS provide?
  • I’m a provider looking for help with resources for developing employability skills for learners. What help can LSIS provide?
  • I want to increase the range of my provision so as to better cater for the needs of learners and employers in the current economic climate. What help can LSIS provide?
  • I want to work with other providers to share best practice on employer responsiveness. What help can LSIS provide? 

Visit the page to find out more