There is a lot going on in politics and I try to ignore most of it, as the media driven personality frenzy is just not my thing. I will admit to having been wowed by the Obama story, but that is more interesting to me than expenses scandals and whether Gordon Brown single-handedly brought down theglobal economy (he didn't - in my humble opinion - no one person could).
I get interested when something happens that affects those that I work for and with, and which will have an effect on employment and skills however. So who spotted that sneaky move last Friday that in a single stroke, removed the Department that is responsible for Innovation, Universities and Skills? Well so far, it seems only the Universities sector has bothered to speak out, highly upset that they are put with anything so practical as business.
Once again FE and skills at level 3 and below is the poor relation and forgotten. With DIUS, I gather the Minister took a real interest in what was happening and read everything he was sent on issues in the skills world. He worked closely with DWP to ensure that the Integrated Employment and Skills concept got off the ground and in the West Midlands at least, is starting to be observed. He could balance the needs of FE and HE nicely as he had two powerful lobbies to work with, but they were at least related in their objective to improve knowledge and skills.
I mean no disrespect to Lord Mandelson, but to mix HE and FE with a third powerful and indeed stroppy and diverse group (business) and you start to get a monster department with very differing needs and egos to match. He will have his work cut out to serve and work with three such lobbies (remembering that BERR has also such things as Trading Standards under its wing) and to the detail that John Denham brought to the role.
It is also unhelpful that this occurs just as Machinery of Government is dismantling the LSC and putting together a number of new agencies to take its place - the Youth Funding Agency will be fine with DCSF but the Adult Funding Agency may not find itself a priority for the new department. It is also not helpful when new initiatives between DIUS and DWP are being brought in to assist those facing or made redundant in the current economic downturn. If Government will not save LDV and over 800 jobs are lost (excluding supply chain), but puts money into supporting redundant workers - that is one silly department, as now it is all together.
What is the future for Skills in the UK? Who knows - currently it is not a political priority.