Office of the Leader of the House of Commons

Education and Skills Act

Key Benefits The Bill would introduce a requirement to remain in education or training beyond the current statutory leaving age, and implement Leitch recommendations on adult skills. More young people participating in learning post-16 and achieving higher levels of skill and qualification. The Government will introduce legislation to go beyond the current aspiration so that by 2013, all 17 year olds, and by 2015, all 18 year olds, are participating in some form of education or training. The Government needs to reach young people - often the most vulnerable - who are still not gaining the benefits of participation. In a fast changing world the UK are facing a national skills challenge and the skills of all young people need improving. The Government want to give every young person - including those on the fringe of society - the opportunities they deserve. Drive increased participation and achievement in economically valuable skills training among adults, helping to deliver the vision of a nation with world-class skills by 2020. Employers would benefit from increased skills through increased productivity, capacity for innovation, and profitability. Individuals would benefit through increased employability, earnings and career progression. The UK as a whole would benefit through increased productivity and economic performance, increased social cohesion and mobility. Raising the participation age: A duty on young people to participate; A duty on parents to assist their children to participate; Duties on employers to release young people for the equivalent of one day a week to undertake training elsewhere (where the employer does not provide their own training), and to check whether a young person is participating before employing them; A duty on local authorities to ensure that young people participate; A duty on providers to inform the local authority if a young person drops out; A duty on local authorities to provide the support service currently known as Connexions; and A duty and a power on local authorities to assess the education and training needs of young people aged 16-19 with special educational needs. Adult skills: A duty on the Learning and Skills Council to secure the proper provision of courses to allow learners over the age of 19 to attain functional literacy, numeracy and First Full Level 2 qualifications; A duty on the Learning and Skills Council to ensure that learners over the age of 19 can attain functional literacy, numeracy and First full Level 2 qualifications, and learners aged 19-25 can attain a First Full Level 3 qualification, without having to pay tuition fees; and Some changes to the functions of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, enabling it to take a more strategic approach to the regulation of qualifications and eligibility for funding. Inspection and regulation: Rationalis

Territorial Extent
United Kingdom