A new dawn in learning and skills is taking shape so, asks DAVID HARBOURNE, director of the Learning and Skills Council North Yorkshire, do YOU want to be a shaper?

The recent launch of the National Skills Strategy has put Learning and Skills Councils firmly at the heart of delivering skills for business, together with partners including Yorkshire Forward, Business Link, Jobcentre Plus and the Sector Skills Development Agency.

I welcome the lead role we have been given in bringing the training and skills needs of UK plc back to the centre-stage. Businesses throughout the area have already had the chance to influence the National Skills Strategy by taking part in the recent Great Skills Debate which identified a number of concerns which they believe are restricting business growth and skills development in the area. Employers told us that the qualification system is too inflexible. They said they wanted closer links between business and education and increased funding for careers advice in schools.

Skills for employability were highlighted time and again - things like the ability to talk confidently to customers and colleagues.

Finally, business leaders highlighted the need to strengthen management skills. All these points were passed to the people preparing the National Skills Strategy, ensuring that the feelings of our area were taken into account. So what does the National Skills Strategy actually say? First and foremost, the Government wants to strengthen the skills of people who left school - often years ago - with few qualifications.

A lot of people in the workforce are unskilled or semi-skilled, and employers tell us they need staff to have higher levels of knowledge and skills. This is why public funding will be gradually refocused to provide free learning to help people reach at least level 2 - a level which in any given occupation reflects the broad range of skills needed to work with relatively little supervision.

Where there are particular shortages, free learning may be available up to level 3. This covers higher-level skills and/or the ability to supervise other staff. Picking up the point made by local employers, training and development will be made more flexible, so that people can learn in ways and at times to suit them and their employers.Secondly, each local Learning and Skills Council will publish an Employer's Guide to Good Training in 2004. We will make this widely available, together with better access to information and advice about training and development. Thirdly, the LSC will carry out a fundamental review of adult education and training provision across England, ensuring that the needs of employers and the local community are met. In fact, we have already started this review in North Yorkshire. This is the first time that the pattern of provision of all post-16 learning - other than higher education - will be reviewed in this way.

The early signs are that businesses are keen to play an active part in the review, but there is always room for more volunteers.

If you would like to be a part of shaping the future of learning and skills in York and North Yorkshire, just give me a call on 01904 385506.

Updated: 09:06 Tuesday, July 22, 2003