Closure of Lifelong Learning UK

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This note sets out the transfer of footprint responsibilities following the closure of LLUK on 31 March 2011.

In line with a schedule of work agreed by UKCES and government sponsors, the transfer of functions will be limited to:

UK-wide work that is funded and in hand relating to:

• apprenticeship frameworks
• qualifications
• national occupational standards.

UK-wide functions that, due to identified activity in 2011-12, need a transitional home, while options for permanent transfer are concluded:

• careers guidance
• community learning and development (including Youth Work)
• libraries, archives and information services

Further Education in England (including Work Based Learning and Adult and Community Learning), where capacity is to be retained on a permanent basis. This will maintain a high degree of continuity in the development of standards and qualifications, collection and analysis of LMI, specialist information and advice service and the SIR data collection

LSIS as sector led body will consult on the long term future of all the work that is transferring with all relevant stakeholders including through the relevant panels and committees, professional and sector representative bodies.

Whilst LLUK has worked closely with partners in Higher Education, including unions, to support workforce development no activity is currently being undertaken that is within the remit of the transfer agreement.

During this transition period LSIS will build on the work of LLUK to ensure coherence in standards, qualifications and frameworks across the constituencies that make up the lifelong learning sector.

By doing so, this will strengthen LSIS as a sector-led body and provide synergy with its existing programmes on continuing professional development (CPD), standards and workforce support.

In addition, LSIS welcomes the ongoing support and expertise of LLUK’s constituency panels and nations committees, and will work with them to agree the long term destination of the footprint.

A small team from LLUK will be transferring with the functions indicated, and this team’s expertise, insight and networks will be invaluable to, and warmly welcomed by, their new colleagues in LSIS.

LSIS will work on teaching and learning standards and qualifications with and through the Institute for Learning, as the professional body for teachers and trainers across the further education and skills sector.

It will inevitably take time for new arrangements to settle and all parties are encouraged to display patience and tact when dealing with staff who have been through considerable turmoil. Nevertheless, as LSIS takes over this critical work please be assured that the commitment to making the UK lifelong learning workforce the best in the world remains unshakeable.

LLUK legacy products will be available in electronic form from a dedicated website, www.lluklegacy.org. This site will hold a wide range of reports, case studies, factsheets, guides and other documents that LLUK produced, and which it is hoped will still be of value to sector employers and partner organisations, researchers and policy makers. The site will be live from the second week of April.

For more information please contact:

Susan Dakin on 02476 627964

susan.dakin@lsis.org.uk