FE sector advised to remain cautious following faintly encouraging budget
Published: 26 March, 2010
NCFE’s chief executive is advising colleges and training providers to retain a level of caution following the faintly encouraging plans emerging from today’s budget.
Places in education or training have been guaranteed for all 16 to 17 year olds, as well as an extension of guaranteed jobs, work placements or training for all 18 to 24 year olds until March 2012. Darling also announced a higher, albeit unspecified, number of apprenticeships.
David Grailey, chief executive at NCFE, said: “The recovering economy’s need for skills means that further education and universities are going to get a share of the funds available, and although we can take heart from this faintly encouraging news, the devil will definitely be in the detail.
“On the face of it, it all looks fairly encouraging for further education, as the plans will certainly equate to more business for sixth forms and FE colleges. However Darling refers to a £2.5 billion ‘one-off growth package’ to fund all this – which is a lot of money – but it’s also going to help small business, promote innovation and invest in national infrastructure as well, so FE will undoubtedly end up with a much smaller figure.
“FE sector organisations are advised to maintain an air of caution as we all watch the plans take effect.”
