Machinery of Government (MoG) Changes
Dated: 26/08/2009

September sees the beginning of the process which will see shadow structures for the organisations replacing the LSC in April 2010

Machinery of Government (MoG)

Next month sees the beginning of the process which will see shadow structures for the organisations replacing the LSC in April 2010, the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) and the Young People?s Learning Agency (YPLA), being set up. The process is due to be complete by the middle of November.

The LSC are currently developing a regional Transition Plan to ensure that they effectively prepare for the new world of the SFA, YPLA and transfer of some of our work to local authorities and that we continue to address our LSC responsibilities and accountabilities to best meet the needs of learners, employers and the regional economy. As a result of the Machinery of Government (MoG), three senior appointments have been confirmed in the region: Dorothy Smith is the Director of Implementation (NE Region) for the Young People?s Learning Agency (YPLA). For the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) in the region Karen Sherry, a colleague currently working at LSC Yorkshire and The Humber, has been appointed to the role of Senior Account Director ? College and Learning Provider Services, Gillian Miller is the Regional Employer Skills Services Director and John Smith has been appointed to an SFA national role as the Director of Contract Administration for the SFA.

As part of the process, ministers are keen to ensure that it is as easy as possible for employers to engage with the learning and skills sector and are looking at opportunities for simplification. They are considering the case for modifying the existing plans for the creation of the Skills Funding Agency by making the RDAs the single body with responsibility for producing the regional skills strategy and being the champion and advocate for skills at the regional level. Under this scenario, RDAs would be assigned the lead role in identifying, as part of their wider responsibilities for regional economic development, demand side needs for skills in their regions. This will ensure that the regional skills strategy would be integrated within the single regional strategy jointly produced by the RDAs and Local Authorities. The responsibility for allocating funds to and managing the relationship with colleges and training providers on the supply side would continue to rest with the Skills Funding Agency. Discussions are underway between ministers and key stakeholders as to how this change would be best implemented.