Adult skills courses face severe cutbacks in 2004

The organisation representing Further Education Colleges in the UK, the Association of Colleges (AoC) has warned that many adult improvers will suffer due to an emphasis of government plans on basic skills for adult learners.

The AoC claim that around 70,000 places will be lost as government cuts local college funding in the next year.

In 2004, according to the AoC, places for adults who wanted to upgrade their education or train for new skills will be squeezed out as government directs local college funding towards adult basic education - a situation that is likely to deteriorate in 2005-2006.

The AoC's Chief Executive, Dr John Brennan, said: "AoC has pointed out to government for some time the disparity between its ambitions to drive up skills levels and the resources available. Colleges support the targeting of public finances towards adults lacking basic qualifications, but globalisation demands rising skills levels across the board.

"As a nation, it is vital to maintain a comprehensive range of education and skills across all levels, regions and vocational sectors. If the delivery of a basic qualification entitlement for adults requires the withdrawal of opportunities for non-priority groups, for example, training technicians in IT, construction or health, the government's skills strategy will have failed."

The AoC said that for 2003-04, colleges bids for funds to help up to 70,000 new adult part-timers have already been turned down, because of a funding shortfall of £30 million.

Next year, according to the AoC, there is insufficient money even to pay for the government's priorities and cuts are therefore likely to be more extensive.

The AoC fear that local colleges will be forced to double fees, to protect courses, or else to close them completely.

Courses in danger include: skills training run by colleges for employers; individuals wanting to study a level 3; and most evening classes run by colleges in IT, languages and other practical skills.

Also under threat are daytime classes run by colleges for pensioners, who are no longer considered to be in the workforce.

The decision that anyone with a level 3 qualification is not a priority relegates important groups such as technicians, craftsmen, managers, teachers, nurses and all graduates to the bottom of the queue, no matter how important the skills upgrading they require, said the AoC.

The association represents general further education colleges, sixth form colleges and specialist colleges in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, almost 98% of colleges are members.

(SP)