Influence national priorities regarding the skills agenda

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We are moving into a period of great potential change in many areas relating to learning and skills under the coalition government. From April 2010 responsibility for the funding of adult learning passed to the Skills Funding Agency to deliver in accordance with agreed regional priorities. The Skills White Paper published in November 2009 identified new sectors for the economy and established new priorities, in particular the emerging low carbon agenda.

We will not know how these plans may change and Asset Skills is working with all relevant departments to raise the profile of the sector, the employers within it and the skills and development work currently underway.

The UK Academy will support this activity with a specific focus on the delivery of learning. It will:

• Work to ensure the UK Academy is granted the same status as National Skills Academies in terms of prioritising funding for pilot programmes and the development of new qualifications;
  
• Work with all government departments to ensure our sectors and employers get recognition for their skills needs and issues;
  
• Identify regional 'hot spots' where high levels of demand may suddenly arise and develop opportunities for projects to support employers.