Posted By J Knight Hi Folks, I understand that the funding schemes for foundation H&S training are drying up in August. I have to write a short paper on why we should fund an in-house H&S bod for Healthcare, and this is one of the bases I need to cover. Has anybody got a URL for a 'horse's mouth' account of the withdrawal of funding so I can quote it? Thanks, John

Posted By Jim Walker Quite right too. H&S training is a legitimate business expense. Why should tight fisted employers get a free ride courtesy of the taxpayer (ie you & me). What is need is clear statement from HSE that it will not tolerate employer shirking their legal duties (need for competent, qualified advice in this case).

Posted By Peter Taylor14 Contact the Learning and Skills council

Posted By JAI Ring the college they should have all the info you need ask for a copy of any documents sent to them Jai

Posted By Howard Point taken Jim, what about those who may hold adequate qualifications for current position but want to undertake further training at their own expense?? Withdrawing this funding may result in fewer qualified at the higher levels. I was more than qualified for my last position but elected to self fund NVQ & IEMA courses. Howard

Posted By Jill Joyce This is a statement summarising the LSC’s approach and includes a number of references that you might find useful. You should be able to find these documents on the LSC website. Sorry this is wordy but you should be able to find something relevant here for your business case. A number of key documents have signalled the need to refocuse public funds to meet the Government’s key priorities for adult learning; these include Priorities for Success, the secretary of states’ grant letter to the LSC the FE White Paper Further Education: Raising Skills, Improving Life Chances. These documents have signalled the intention to cease funding some types of provision which the public purse should not support, including health and safety qualifications for employees. From 2006/07, any health and safety learning aim not accredited within the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and approved by the secretary of state under Sections 96 and/or 97 will be ineligible for LSC funding as they carry no guarantee that they meet industry standards or needs. This is because awarding body certification alone does not provide sufficient evidence (for qualifications outside the NQF). The exception to this is TUC health and safety provision of 9 guided learning hours or more for union representatives which is specified as part of the LSC/TUC protocol. Where it is clear that these learning aims are being used by employers for their employees they will not be supported by the public purse as they are regarded as the responsibility of the employer. However, learners’ programmes which include learning aims in health and safety will remain eligible for LSC funding where it can demonstrated that the provision is part of a coherent curriculum offer supported by a clearly stated rationale. The LSC has the power under Section 5(d) of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 to fund courses falling within paragraph 1(g) or (h) of Schedule 6 to the Education Reform Act 1988. These include approved qualifications under Sections 96 and 97 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 at Level 4 and above as well as other higher-level learning aims (externally or internally certificated). While the LSC has no specific participation target at Level 4 or above, it has signalled in its Annual Statement of Priorities a clear commitment to work closely with the HEFCE and key stakeholders in ensuring the availability and fit-for-purposeness of higher level skills and vocational learning. Therefore funding for provision above level 4 will be in line with regional skills priorities, sector skills agreements and sector qualification strategies which will help to inform the demand for higher level learning in order to meet the full range of skills training required by employers.