Edexcel has today published an Edexcel Thinks paper on demand-led funding, highlighting the significant role funding will play in meeting the Leitch targets for raising provision and attainment in skills.

Edexcel Thinks: Delivering World-class Skills in a Demand-led System looks at the Learning and Skills Council’s (LSC) important consultation of the same title, which sets out the case for a gradual shift towards a ‘demand-led funding model’ for adult learning from 2010. 

Edexcel Thinks outlines Edexcel’s response to the issues raised in the consultation, including the undue reliance on two untried funding mechanisms - Learning Accounts and Train to Gain.

Isabel Sutcliffe, Edexcel’s Director of Qualifications & Accreditation said: “Edexcel welcomes the important move to work towards a common funding system.  Eligible qualifications within the current system are determined by nationally defined priorities, and as such are not purely demand-led.

“We believe that there should be greater flexibility about the type of learning that is eligible for funding, enabling learners to learn at a pace and in a form that suits them.  An adult learning framework should start from the needs of the learners.

“We are concerned about the emphasis being attached to ‘economically valuable skills’.  Our recent research with the think tank IPPR indicated that focusing exclusively on such skills is difficult to plan for, tends to ignore the learner and has not historically improved wage returns.  We believe that more clarity is needed about what this means in reality.

“Edexcel is committed to the lifelong learning agenda.  We collaborate with employers, training providers and FE colleges to deliver and accredit quality work-related and vocational qualifications; and are pleased to support Adult Learners’ Week - a campaign that is vital to engaging and inspiring people to pursue adult learning.”

Isabel Sutcliffe expanded on these points when giving evidence to the Education and Skills Select Committee on Post-16 Skills on 21 May 2007.

Edexcel Thinks: Delivering World-class Skills in a Demand-led System is available to view or download here.

In March 2007, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) published a report, co-funded by Edexcel, which made recommendations to Government about how the further education system could be reformed, putting the needs of learners at the centre.  Learning for Life: A New Framework for Adult Skills, written by Simone Delorenzi, is available from the IPPR website.

And on 14 May 2007, Edexcel’s Head of Policy & Curriculum, Steve Besley, set out his assessment of the Blair legacy for the education and training system, including the approach to funding adult learning.

Edexcel Thinks is a new service designed to outline Edexcel's position on key national education policy issues. Each one is a short statement that sets out what Edexcel is currently thinking and doing in that area.

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