The Learning and Skills Council is a new organisation, leading the drive to participate in learning and raise skills levels across England. The Council will be responsible for the planning and funding for all post-16 education and training apart from Higher Education. The Council has 47 local arms throughout England including one covering Lincolnshire and Rutland.

The Lincolnshire and Rutland Learning and Skills Council will strive to increase the number of people over 16 actively engaged in learning, including those who are disadvantaged or excluded, make learning more relevant to individuals and companies and get better value for public money in post-16 education and training. The Council aims to raise standards of post-16 education and training and work with others to promote the value of learning, increase consistency and improve the supply of skilled staff that businesses need.

We have four main priorities:

• Young people To encourage young people to stay on in learning and develop their skills – in sixth forms, colleges, or through work-based schemes. In Lincolnshire and Rutland a high percentage of young people continue their training while in employment, through such schemes as Modern Apprenticeships. But still far too many young people don’t continue any form of learning after the age of 16, or drop out early.
• Adults To increase the demand for learning by adults. That means demonstrating that learning is exciting, life enhancing and worthwhile. It means offering learning opportunities which appeal, are held at convenient times and locations, and offer recognition of success.
• Employers To build long-term relationships with local employers. To convince employers that systematic engagement in training and developing their workforce will raise productivity and competitiveness.
• Providers To work with school sixth forms, colleges, adult education and other providers to deliver what learners want – the right combination of quality, flexibility and choice.