The Learning and Skills Network To Continue Work Carried Out By The LSDA

“

The successor organisation to the Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA) is seeking is first chief executive. The Learning and Skills Network (LSN), which will continue the operational and delivery work currently carried out by the Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA) is looking for someone to continue to take forward the LSDA’s training and development work and its research and consultancy services for education and training organisations.

At present, the LSDA’s mandate is to provide professional services and support to colleges, training providers, adult and community education, schools and other organisations in the learning and skills sector. All strategic and commissioning work will transfer to the Quality Improvement Agency for Lifelong Learning (QIA). Existing LSDA staff will form the core of both organisations which will start operations in April 2006.

The role of the QIA will be to lead the development of a three-year Quality Improvement Strategy for the sector, build providers” capacity for self-improvement secure the commitment of the learning and skills sector to national strategic priorities and speed up the pace of improvement among providers. Based in Coventry, the QIA will be an executive non-departmental public body (NDPB) accountable to Ministers through the Department for Education and Skills and subject to scrutiny by Parliament.

“The Learning and Skills Development Agency has played a central role in helping to shape policy and support teachers, trainers, lecturers and managers working in further education and training over the past five years. Its successor organisation, the Learning and Skills Network, will carry on this excellent work and develop it into new areas. We are looking for an outstanding individual who will build on LSDA’s reputation, sustain its existing work and develop new business opportunities,” said Sir Geoffrey Holland, LSDA chair.

The announcement of the LSN chief executive is expected to be made in October 2005.