Malcolm Armsteen wrote: ↑Fri Sep 05, 2025 6:40 pm
Thatcher tried putting 'skills' into Business (Alan Clark, I believe) which led to a fundamental clash/disagreement on basic philosophy (Business worked on 'competencies' - very transactional, not popular at education,* especially when Education was expected to administer and deliver NVQ and GNVQ).
It ended badly, and unless there is a propr alignment of values and aims there may be again.
*But popular with Thatcher who thought she was breaking the power of 'lefty' teachers.
I'm not sure I've understood you. Sounds like you're saying Skills don't particularly fit with Education because the philosophy is different.
I think a lot depends on the minister. I'd rather have Alan Clark doing skills at the DTI than, say, Michael Gove doing them at Education (in that period skills were under Business). Philipson is the sort of Education Secretary who cares about skills and industry, so maybe she'll be unhappy to lose responsibility, but I think she'll do a good job in aligning Education and Skills as best as she can.
I do like the potential of the McFadden role joining up the DWP with Skills. As thing stands the "job centre" sending people "on a course" is often seen as punitive, going through the motions. If Skills are right in there with the DWP, I think that's a much better dynamic. You'd have to work closely with Business as well though.