NW Regional Consultation Seminar

Bank Top Neighbourhood Learning Centre, Arthur Way, Blackburn, BB2 1QP
8 September 2010
1PM - 4PM

Details of invitation to NIACE seminar Wednesday September 8th 1.45 -4.15pm – this is an open event for all interested parties.

On 22nd July, in a speech at Hackney College, John Hayes launched two consultations that will have a significant impact on the delivery and funding of adult learning. 
 
To access the Minister’s speech click on this link:  http://www.bis.gov.uk/news/speeches/john-hayes-launches-consultations  

 Click on the links below for the consultations:
• Skills for Sustainable Growth: a consultation on the direction of skills policy:
• www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/further-education-skills/docs/s/10-1073-skills-consultation
• A Simplified Further Education and Skills Funding System and Methodology
• www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/further-education-skills/docs/f/10-1070-fe-funding-consultation.pdf

NIACE believes that the policy direction has much to be commended but that the devil will be in the detail.  How will the freedoms and flexibilities that are proposed for colleges and training organisations lead to better learning opportunities for a wider range of adults?  What are the implications for providers? How will the reinvigoration of adult and community learning play out locally? What are the implications on minimum contract values on the quality of provision, diversity and equality of opportunity?

To discuss this further we are organising a regional seminar on:

Wednesday 8th September, 1.45pm  – 4.15pm   at Bank Top Neighbourhood Learning Centre, Arthur Way
Blackburn BB2 1QP

The purposes of the seminar are to:
• outline the proposals and give NIACE’s initial reactions
• to encourage as many organisations as possible to respond to the consultations
• to support organisations to explore the implications of the proposals in the consultation documents with colleagues in order to generate thinking, ideas and common support to enhance their responses

Whether you are already working on a response or have yet to start, these seminars will provide a valuable opportunity for face-to-face discussions with a range of colleagues from across a number of sectors.

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis.  To secure a place on this event, please return the NW Regional Consultation Seminar Booking Form to steven.hartshorn@niace.org.uk  as soon as you can.

Here is the link to the map for the venue.  Rail and  bus stations are about a 15 minute walk away
http://www.multimap.com/maps/?zoom=16&countryCode=GB&qs=BB21QP

Parking is available at the NLC car park free for up to 3 hours but spaces are limited, alternatively you  can park in the residential area nearby (behind Netto). Please follow this link to Blackburn Town Centre car parks (Barton Street is going to be the closest to Bank Top) http://www.blackburn.ac.uk/assets/files/carparking.pdf