The Learning and Skills Councils Annual Report and Accounts for ...

So it is with both delight and some
relief that I can give my profound
thanks to each and every one of the
LSC’s staff for their hard work and
determination to succeed. I would
especially like to acknowledge the
support of Chris Banks, our Chairman;
David Cragg, interim Chief Executive
of the Skills Funding Agency; Peter
Lauener, Chief Executive of the YPLA;
Simon Waugh, Chief Executive of the
National Apprenticeship Service; Chris
Roberts, Chief Operating Officer at
the LSC; David Hughes, for his work on
capital and funding; and Sally Stewart,
for ensuring that we preserved the
talent that the LSC has built up over
the years.
However, the LSC was not alone in
facing difficult tasks. Our work was
carried out in the midst of the worst
recession in generations and this
meant that the sector had major
challenges of its own. Our people
worked closely to understand and
respond to these issues but, inevitably,
we had to respond by making funding
decisions on the basis of prioritised
need – including, of course, in the
difficult area of college capital.
Looking forward, we know that the
economic climate is going to be
extremely tough for some period of
time and, as the public would rightly
expect, our paymasters in government
will want to ensure that the further
education (FE) sector is providing
maximum value for money.
This means being very clear about
assessing the effect we have on
increasing productivity through the
raising of skills levels in the workplace
– as well as helping those who are yet
to enter employment. It also means
ensuring that we remember our role
in promoting social cohesion and
encouraging older people to learn.
It involves doing what we can to
continue to support the best provision
for those who learn for personal
intellectual stimulation.
In the context of these difficulties,
there can be even less doubt about the
FE sector’s resilience.
Its unswerving focus on learners
and its ability to manage change
will continue to pay dividends as it
faces the challenges presented by the
current economic climate. The sector
will, I have no doubt, be one of the
leading engines of recovery.
In summary, it has been a tough but
rewarding year for the LSC and the
sector overall. Going forward, all of us
must make sure that the tough times
ahead are equally productive. Having
said that, I truly believe that the
sector’s time has come. It has never
been more responsive or of better
quality and, with these attributes in
place, it has never faced a greater
opportunity to prove its worth. I have
no doubt that it will do just that.
Geoffrey Russell
Chief Executive of Skills Funding,
Department for Business, Innovation
and Skills; and Accounting Officer
for the Learning and Skills Council
19 July 2010
06 LSC Annual Report and Accounts 2009–10