The Skills Commission meets monthly in Parliament to discuss the leading issues in skills, training and further education policy. The Commission is co-chaired by Barry Sheerman MP and Dame Ruth Silver. Commission members include parliamentarians from all the main parties, and highly experienced practitioners from across the skills sector.

New Research

New inquiry into specialisation in FE



Colleges are being given more freedom to make their own choices about what they do, and how they do it. At the same time, international competition from the BRICs and other developing economies is intensifying, and the economic contribution of colleges – getting people into jobs and driving demand in local labour markets – has been put under the spotlight like never before.


This inquiry will consider whether specialisation can improve quality of provision and foster innovation in response to these challenges. Just as our universities are world renowned for developing cutting-edge research, it will ask whether colleges can specialise and become world renowned for developing cutting-edge practice, commercialising their expertise and becoming business development partners for employers, particularly SMEs. It will also look at the implications of specialisation for teaching and professional development, curriculum design and governance.

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News

Government implements Skills Commission recommendation
10/04/12
FE teachers with QTLS now able to teach in schools

Technician Council endorses Skills Commission recommendations

29/03/12
Report endorses Commission recommendations on technician registration and technician 'brand'

Skills Commission launches new inquiry into specialisation in FE
19/03/12
Commission will look at quality and specialisation in public and private further education
 

Skills Commission launches new report
13/10/11

Final report of technician and higher level skills inquiry published


Skills Commission visits Birmingham
 
15/04/11

Commission hears evidence on skills needs of regional economies

Skills Commission lauches new inquiry

15/03/11

Commission will look at technician and higher level skills


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People

 Click here to find out more about members of the Skills Commission



Previous Research


Technicians and Progression examines the role of university technical colleges, apprenticeships, further education colleges and universities in training technicians, and recommends that the government should develop a plan for STEM growth. The report concludes that if the UK economy is to become more production and export-led it must become more technician-led.