WAMITAB forwards
Chris James
CEO WAMITAB
WAMITAB forwards
‘Future shock’
the only constant – change!
“Future shock”:
“The shattering stress and disorientation
that we induce in individuals by subjecting
them to too much change in too short a time,
the dizzying disorientation brought on by
The premature arrival of the future!”
Alvin Tofler 1970
Aims :
• Review the current AO environment
• Brief analysis of core issues
• Identifying key strengths/opportunities
• Some predictions!
• Discussion!
Our regulated environment:
• 176 recognised AOs
• 10 surrendered recognition in 2012
• 2 more AOs were in process of
surrendering at end of 2012
• Robust entry criteria
• 1 accepted in May 2012
• 2 more through the first phase of
submission
Benefits of regulation:
• Quality assured products – confidence for
learners & employers
• Regulated products meet high standards
• Listing of all qualifications on the register
• Enhanced standing of qualifications in
potential overseas markets
‘Where are we now?’PEST/LEID Analysis:
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Political
Economic
Social
Technology
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Legal
Environmental
International
Demographic
Politics!
Some current issues – impact:
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Qualifications for 16-19
Richard review of Apprenticeships
Heseltine Review
Skills funding
Whitehead Review
Qualifications for 16-19:
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New programmes from Sept 2013
Funding to follow learner
English, Maths, ‘A’ level or ‘substantial’ VQ
DfE currently consulting on which VQs will be
performance tables (min 150 GLH)
• 3 types: ‘Academic’, ‘Applied General’
& ‘Occupational’
Richard Review of
Apprenticeships:
• HMGs response – generally supportive
• Agreed that:
• Employers take a primary role
• Ensure all apprenticeships are rigorous
& responsive to employers’ needs
• Consultation needed on how to turn
vision to reality
Heseltine Report – ‘No stone
unturned’:
• HMG now accepted almost all recommendations
• LEPs best placed to decide funding priorities
for skills
• Local needs must be paramount for FE
• Single Local Growth Fund – watch out for the
next spending review announcements!
Skills Funding:
• Revised funding proposals – sometimes at short
notice
• Withdrawal of funding for qualifications with low
or zero enrolments
• Common AO interests represented by FAB/JCQ
UKCES Whitehead Review of Adult
Qualifications in England:
“For individuals the aim is that vocational
qualifications will be valued as a passport into and
through a career; and for employers, the aim is for
vocational qualifications to be a recognised brand”
Matthew Hancock, MP, Minister for Skills, BIS
Whitehead aims:
• Vision for adult qualifications?
• How to achieve it?
• Perceived issues:
 Unused/underused qualifications
 Links to Labour market
 Development times & flexibility of design
 Reducing public funding – increasing need for
employers to invest directly
Whitehead process:
• April – Consultation and review of data
• May – Focus groups and on-line survey
• June – initial report to Minister
• August – final report published
ECONOMIC
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Avoiding the triple-dip – just!
Emergence from recession
Services – led
Austerity v infrastructure spend?
SOCIAL
• Employment, employment, employment!
TECHNOLOGY
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Vital business enabler
‘lifeblood’ of AO business
Regulatory, RITS, ULN
Highly significant investment
High customer impact
Key differentiator
‘The next big thing?’ – MOOCs?
‘Massive On-line Open Courses’
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Accessible any time
Free
Open content
HE-led at present
High initial volumes
Low completion rates – so far
Future impact ?
MOOCs development stages:
LEGAL:
• AOs operate in highly regulated market – high
stakes game!
• Ofqual sees itself more like a control service
not an investigation unit.
• Ofqual’s four cornerstones:
• Guidance
• Sanctions
• Monitoring
• Entry to the regulated market
ENVIRONMENTAL
• Good business sense!
• Reduction in adverse foot-print
• Impact of technology
• Impact on customers
INTERNATIONAL:
 Opportunities! – e.g.:
Albania
India
China
Mexico
Worldwide English language tests – .
min 2,400 tests pa in at least 40
countries
INTERNATIONAL:
 Key priorities:
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Research, research, research!
Use existing supports/resources, eg:
British Council/FAB
Within powers & scope?
Single entity?
Joint venture/partnership?
Realistic legal & accounting advice
Ability to manage long distance & longterm investment
CARE!
DEMOGRAPHIC
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Youth priorities
Unrealistic expectations
Quality of careers advice/LMI
Ageing population profile
4 country dynamic
Dakota Sioux tribal wisdom:
“When you discover you are riding a dead horse,
the best strategy is to dismount”
Dealing with dead horses, more
common approaches in the UK:
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Buy a bigger whip
Change riders
Form a committee to study the dead horse
Arrange visits to other sites to see how they do it
Spend more on training to improve our riding skills
Harness several dead horses together for increased speed
Provide additional funding to increase horse performance
Hire contractors to ride the horse more cheaply
Appoint a consultant!
Revisit the performance requirements for dead horses
Sell the dead horse to Tesco’s
Promote the dead horse
Thank you
Get in touch with WAMITAB!
Tel 01604 231950
Visit WAMITAB website www.wamitab.org.uk
Chris James : [email protected]