Government Offices work with regional partners including Learning and Skills Councils and Regional Development Agencies to implement a range of Government policies including the National Skills Strategy.
Although the East of England is relatively prosperous and has one of the highest employment rates in the UK it is not without its problems. Qualification levels in the adult population are below the national average, and although achievement in the compulsory years of education is broadly good, achievement in the 16 –19 phase, and commitment to ongoing learning, are relatively low. The region is due to continue to absorb rapid housing and population growth with skills recognised as a key component to sustainability within those new and/or expanding communities. In addition there are also issues around adult literacy and numeracy in the region as well the skills implications associated with rurality and an ageing workforce.
The Government Office places particular emphasis on increasing commitment to ongoing learning, and particularly on increasing business engagement with lifelong learning. Central to our efforts is our engagement with the East of England Skills & Competitiveness Partnership [EESCP], which comprises key regional partners including the Regional Learning and Skills Council [LSC], JobCentre Plus, the East of England Development Agency [EEDA], representatives from the HE and FE sector and the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA).
Our specific activities in support of the Skills Agenda include:
- Promoting the development and review the delivery of Skills for Life strategies through our engagement with partners.
- Active participation in the EESCP helping to develop and deliver its vision and work programme.
- Helping to ensure that EESCP takes due account of employer needs and that appropriate protocols are in place between Sector Skills Councils and the EESCP so that that Sector Skills Agreements feature prominently in the EESCP workplan.
- Working with partners to support the successful roll-out of Train to Gain across the region.
- Supporting the continued development of ‘learning communities’ and other local initiatives on skills, learning and employment and ensuring that skills issues are appropriately reflected in Local Area Agreements.
