Today has seen a bit of a media onslaught from David Willetts, the Shadow Skills Secretary, around the falling numbers of adults in education. This is an interesting development of the Opposition's policy over recent months and comes less than two weeks before the CALL Lobby of Parliament (see previous blog entry).
You can see his 3 minute interview with the BBC, click here - just count the times he refers (with little enthusiasm) to 'paper qualifications'.
Are his points fair? From the experience in my family and others I know, I think the comments he makes on adults with learning difficulties is hard to refute. On falling ICT classes, I've looked at the WEA's figures. In 2005-06 we ran 1,511 non-accredited short ICT classes. Last year we ran 1,056 - a fall of 30% over three years.
It does seem possible, leaving aside the views of the different political parties, that the certainties of 'Full Qualifications' as a central element in Leitch is under challenge because of the fall in adult participation. This is now being combined with concerns to find flexible ways to use education and training to respond to the impact of the recession on individuals.
However, David Willetts didn't leave it there. He also said:
"Learning also brings health and community benefits that can reduce the pressure on public spending in other areas."
We'll have to see how this debate develops.
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