Learning and Skills

In April 2004, the South East Regional Compact on Learning and Skills was agreed between the voluntary andcommunity sector (VCS) and the 6 local Learning and Skills Councils (LLSCs). The Compact was developed in line with the national Compact between Government and the VCS and originally reflected the commitment of the Learning and Skills Council nationally to develop an overarching strategy for working with the sector. RAISE initially worked with the 6 LLSCs to realise a learning society in the South East, "a society in which everyone has the opportunity to go as far as their talents and efforts will take them, taking advantage of learning opportunities and participating fully"- March 2004.

The Learning and Skills Council has now been replaced by the national Skills Funding Agency (SFA) and the Young People’s Learning Agency (YPLA), but the value of the Compact is unchanged. RAISE continues to champion the Compact within the South East and maintains close relationships with the SFA and YPLA.

RAISE has also built a strong relationship with Skills – Third Sector. In June 2010 RAISE produced a Regional Mapping report, reflecting the consortia, partnerships and regional and local networks and training providers in the South East, to support Skills – Third Sector's research. Skills – Third Sector are producing a National Skills Strategy in 2010 and RAISE are partnering with them to provide a roundtable event in the South East, where community and voluntary groups will have a chance to influence the shape of the new strategy.

Links
Ladder4Learning
ladder4learning promotes “learning” for people and organisations in the community and voluntary sector in South East England. On their website you can find a searchable database of learning opportunities in the region, a searchable database of learning opportunities in the region, links to related groups, organisations and websites and more.

The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education - England and Wales (NIACE)
NIACE is a non-governmental organisation working for more and different adult learners. NIACE's formal aim is: "to promote the study and general advancement of adult continuing education."

The Skills Funding Agency (SFA)
The SFA invests public spending - £4 billion per year - in colleges and training organisations to fund training for adults in England. The training is mainly to improve skills so that people can do their jobs better, get new jobs, or progress in their careers.

Young People’s Learning Agency (YPLA)
The YPLA was launched in April 2010 with the mission of championing education and training for young people in England. They provide financial support to young learners, by funding academies for all their provision and by supporting local authorities to commission suitable education and training opportunities for all 16-19 year olds.

Sussex Voluntary Community Sector Learning Consortium
The Sussex Voluntary and CommunitySector Learning Consortium is a group of voluntary and community organisations who share an interest in promoting learning opportunities.

Skills – Third Sector
Skills - Third Sector helps to make sure that charities and social enterprises have the right people with the right skills to make a difference to people and their communities. They work with national, regional and local organisations to provide information and resources, develop national skills standards and qualifications and carry out research to prove why skills matter to our sector.