Britain: An official handbook > 1993

EMPLOYMENT
National Education and Training
Targets
In 1991 national targets for education and
training were agreed by over 100 national
and local organisations including all TECs,
LECs and ITOs, and other major education,
training and employer bodies. The
Government also confirmed its support for
the targets, since they underpin its aims and
are a measure of action needed to raise skill
levels. The task of meeting the targets lies
with many interests—primarily with
employers, but also with schools, colleges
and higher education institutions, with trade
unions, with individual people and with
TECs, LECs and ITOs. The Government is
making its contribution by carrying through
its fundamental reforms of education,
qualifications and training.
The targets cover both young people and
the workforce as a whole. Examples of the
targets set are that by 1997, 80 per cent of
young people should reach NVQ/SVQ_level
II, or its academic equivalent; and that by
1996 all employees should take part in
training or development activities.
Investors in People Initiative
The Government has launched the Investors
in People initiative, developed by employers.
As its focus, it has a national standard for
effective investment in people, and aims to
encourage employers to develop all
employees in line with business goals.
Investors in People is delivered locally by
TECs and LECs, which provide advice and
information to help organisations to work
towards the standard. By August 1992, 76
organisations had been ‘recognised’ by their
local TEC as Investors in People, and some
1,200 organisations had made a formal
commitment to work towards the standard.
Other Training Measures
In March 1993 the Government will launch
through the TECs and LECs a new
initiative to develop effective local
information, assessment and guidance
services. Individuals will be offered credits
to be used to buy the guidance and
assessment services of their choice. The
initiative is planned from April 1993
involving 16 TECs and LECs, with 250,000
people involved in 1993-94 and 1994-95. If
credits prove successful, the Government
intends to make them available across Great
Britain.
Open learning opportunities have been
increased by the creation of the Open
College, an independent company which
promotes the acquisition of skills through
the method of open learning. Over 160,000
people have taken its courses since 1987.
People wishing to undertake vocational
training of their choice can apply for a
Career Development Loan to one of three
major banks. Loans of £300 to £5,000 can
help to pay for vocational training courses
between a week and a year in length. Loans
may cover up to 80 per cent of course fees,
plus the cost of books and materials. The
Government’s involvement is to pay the
interest on the loan during the course and
for up to three months afterwards.
Scotland
Two new bodies have been set up under
recent legislation—Scottish Enterprise for
the lowlands of Scotland, and Highlands
and Islands Enterprise for the highlands
and islands area. They assumed
responsibility for the functions of economic
development and training previously
exercised by the Scottish Development
Agency, the Highlands and Islands
Development Board and the Training
Agency in Scotland. Their main duties are
to:
• stimulate self-sustaining economic
development;
• maintain and safeguard employment;
• enhance employment skills; and
• promote industrial efficiency and
international competitiveness.
The new bodies contract out much of
their work to the network of 22 Local
Enterprise Companies led by the private
sector (see p 168).
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