Apologies for cross posting


We now only have less than four weeks left until the following conference takes place, so if you haven't booked yet please book now. For more information please visit the NIACE website.


FUTURE ROLE OF COLLEGES AND THE EFFECTS OF FUNDING PRIORITIES


Tuesday 21 February 2006, London
Abbey Community Centre
34 Great Smith Street
London SW1P 3BU


These are difficult times for adult learning, with heavy prioritisation of funding for vocational skills, reduced allocations for other adult work in colleges and local authorities, and sober forecasts of substantial reductions in numbers of adult learners over the next three years.
Sir Andrew Foster's review of the future role of further education 'Realising the Potential' gives strong endorsement to the skills agenda but has little to say about the needs of adult learners, other than those in the targeted groups, and about the demographic changes which will increasingly shape all our futures.  We are now in the lean years, as far as most adult learners are concerned.  

This conference, which follows the publication of Eight in Ten, the NIACE- sponsored Committee of Enquiry into Adult Learning in Colleges and of Sir Andrew Foster's review 'Realising the potential', will examine:
-	the role of colleges
-	the effects of current funding priorities
-	the 'Safeguard'
-	the key recommendations of the Committee's report.

It seeks to look at some key questions:
	·	What is the role if the colleges and local authorities in the skill-driven, post-Foster future?
	·	Is the Government's strategy right, or do we need to return to more holistic, more inclusive lifelong-learning approaches?
	·	Do we need new typologies for adult learning?

 This is an important opportunity to contribute to a vital debate. 
-	You know the directions of funding for the next three years and perhaps longer. 
-	You know that it has been estimated that there may be one million fewer adult learners at the end of that period. 
-	The infrastructure of adult education may be permanently damaged.
 What should be the response of those who are committed to adult learning?



This conference is aim at colleges, local authorities, voluntary and community organisations, and all with an interest in the future of adult learning.

To reserve a place using the Online Conference Reservation facility (OCR), visit:
http://www.niace.org.uk/Conferences/saving.htm
Enquiries to Gurjit Kaur on tel: 0116 2042833 e-mail: [log in to unmask]







Kind Regards
Nasra Gaal
Publicity and Promotion Administrator
Conferences & Courses
NIACE
Renaissance House
20 Princess Road West
Leicester 
LE1 6TP
Tel 0116 2044221