The Welsh Assembly Government has published its draft allocations for further education colleges for 2010/11. It requires colleges to deliver quite a lot more for a little more money. These are difficult times. The further education sector recognises the challenges it has been set and acknowledges that Education Ministers have fought hard to protect learners from the worst of public sector cutbacks.

Essentially, the budget has gone up, but the Welsh Assembly Government's expectations of colleges have gone up even more. It means that the further education sector is expected to deliver more than the budget suggests.

Comparing like with like, colleges' overall core funding will decrease by 3% (around £8 million) for 2010/11. But in addition to the core funding allocations, the Welsh Assembly Government has also published today ringfenced funding for two schemes that will prioritise training in certain employment sectors:

• the Pathways to Apprenticeships scheme – a scheme introduced at very short notice last year to help apprentices receive college-based training where they could not find employer-led apprenticeships because of the recession. Colleges have welcomed the WAG's intention to continue to fund the Pathways to Apprenticeships scheme at almost the same level as last year (£8.5 million).
• £16.5 million funding for “adult skills”. No details have yet been provided by the WAG on this scheme, although it is understood that the funding will target certain employment sectors.

Chief Executive of ColegauCymru / CollegesWales, Dr John Graystone, said: “Over the past few years, colleges have been very concerned that funding for adult learning has been cut significantly at a time when the population is getting older and the nature of the workplace in a global economy means that everyone needs training throughout their lives; that learning cannot stop at the age of 16 or 18. The budget announcement for 2010/11, however, suggests that adult skills will be given a degree of protection, with £16.5 million allocated for this scheme. ColegauCymru looks forward to hearing more on this scheme from the Welsh Assembly Government. We expect the WAG to define 'adult skills' broadly and include basic skills.

“Clearly, with the Pathways to Apprenticeships and the Adult Skills schemes, the Welsh Assembly Government has chosen to prioritise skills for the workplace. It is the 16-18 age-group that is likely to be squeezed this year, as the core budget sees a decrease of £8 million.

“Overall, the budget is quite a mixed bag. The total amount of money allocated to colleges goes up, but colleges will have to work harder than ever to keep hold of it. Some colleges are facing cuts and will have to make tough decisions in planning future provision. It means they will be expected to 'do more with less'. Most of the colleges will, however, get at least a marginal increase. These will be expected to 'do a lot more with a bit more'. Out of the overall increase to the sector's budget, colleges are likely to need to find around £11 million for increases in staff salaries, as well as trimming the cost of every unit of learning delivered.

Dr Graystone concluded: “Clearly, then, it is a tough budget for most colleges. Yet, we recognise the difficult times we are in and the constraints on public spending. When all is said and done, I doubt that we could have hoped for more. We will work closely with the WAG to support us in introducing modern and flexible working practices and removing unnecessary bureaucracy to ensure that we continue to provide an outstanding service for learners in Wales.”

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Contact: Sylvia Davies on 029 2052 8384 or 07968 771913.

Notes to editors:

1. ColegauCymru / CollegesWales is the new name for fforwm. It is a national educational charity that represents all 24 further education (FE) colleges and institutions in Wales. Its mission is to raise the profile of further education with key decision-makers to improve opportunities for learners in Wales. For further information about ColegauCymru / CollegesWales, and the colleges it represents, visit www.colegaucymru.ac.uk