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Changes in vocational
training structure
Qualifications hoping for public funding
need to sit on the new credit framework
A
s we move through to spring,
there is a very real feeling that
2010 is a year of change for the
qualifications, skills and training arena.
By the end of December this year, all
Cuts could affect institutions including the Birmingham Museum accredited vocational qualifications in
England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Birmingham to axe 2,000 jobs...
will need to sit on the new
Qualifications and Credit Framework if
Culture and leisure among sectors to be hit by cuts
they are to be eligible for public
funding. Plus, they will each have an
By Tom Walker there will be a reduction of up assigned level (from entry to Level 8) Stephen Studd is
to 2,000 posts. and a credit value (the size of the chief executive of
The largest local authority in The council added that qualification relating to learning SkillsActive
the UK, Birmingham City maintaining leisure, sport and hours). This is a significant change for
Council, is to axe 2,000 jobs cultural properties was vocational qualifications in the sector, and something
– many of which are understood "particularly challenging", as the employers have wanted for a long time.
to be in sports, culture and services received no funding In preparation for this, and as part of the national vocational
leisure. The council announced from central government. The qualification reform programme, we have been working closely
the job cuts as it attempts to trade union UNISON reacted with our employer groups to review and rationalise the 1,000 or
plug a £75m hole in its angrily to the council's plans. so vocational qualifications previously available to the sector,
finances, which it attributes to Dave Prentis, UNISON down to around 300. This much needed streamlining will make
previous overspend in areas of general secretary, said: "This is the qualifications easier to understand, and more importantly,
social care. a massive number of job cuts, access. The national programme of reform states that all new
In its budget report, the and the council cannot be vocational qualifications should focus on choice, clarity and
council said it will finalise its serious. These job cuts could confidence – making the qualifications landscape clearer.
"detailed workforce plans" by force the city into a downward For a customer-facing sector, predominantly based on
the start of the financial year in spiral and result in shops and technical and vocational skills and qualifications, our
March and that it is likely that businesses suffering." employers need a qualified workforce that has the best training
on the market, and the confusion has been around what
constitutes the best and where can employers go to access it.
...while Future Jobs reaches 'landmark'
The rationalisation is the first step. The second is to ensure
that our National Skills Academy is always the first port of call
Progress towards the creation funding for more than 6,500 for quality assured training. And the third is being aware that
of 10,000 new jobs in the positions – 4,200 in sport all new qualifications that may be eligible for public funding
cultural and sports sectors, and the remainder in the need to be approved of by us – and ultimately our employer
under the Future Jobs scheme, cultural sector. expert groups. With more than 663,000 paid employees working
has passed the halfway mark, On a visit to Future Jobs across the UK, a further two million volunteers, and an annual
according to culture secretary Fund recruits in Leicester, contribution on average of £8.6bn to the economy, the
Ben Bradshaw. Bradshaw said: "Jobs in the qualification reform is going to have a real impact on sport and
Nine months after plans cultural and sports sectors active leisure. Employers need to have confidence that they are
were first announced to fund can be hard to come by. It's being offered the most relevant qualifications, in the most
employment for young often the case that supply of flexible way and be clear about what they can expect their
people who might otherwise potential employees outstrips employee to gain by undertaking a vocational qualification.
be unable to find work, the demand, so it can be Working together, the reform will simplify this, and the new
Department for Culture, particularly hard for young Qualifications and Credit Framework will ensure that the
Media and Sport has secured people with little experience." qualifications on offer will properly meet the need of those
working or wanting to work in the sector, and vitally employers.
© Cybertrek 2010 Read Leisure Opportunities online www.leisureopportunities.com/digita l 25
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