Further and Adult Education Division Contacts
Simply click on the headings below to access the contact details you require:
The Further and Adult Education Division (FAED) is part of the Lifelong Learning Directorate, which sits within the Education and Lifelong Learning portfolio. The Lifelong Learning Directorate comprises of a number of divisions which provide policy advice and support to Ministers on issues ranging from further and adult education, higher education and learner support, employablity and skills, community learning and development (Learning Connections), through to enterprise and employablity for young people. The Scottish Government is taking a holistic approach to the encouragement of learning for life, learning throughout life. From early education, to supporting children, families and communities; to improving learning in schools; developing skills for and in work; and promoting excellence, innovation, science and research. We have recently restructured as an organisation to help deliver on theis aspiration for a holistic approach to learning, from cradle to grave, whilst also retaining responsiblity for the four other Goverment priorities (healthier; wealthier and fairer; greener and safer and stronger).
Peter's team looks after a range of issues relating primarily to the development needs of college staff and the learning, and qualifications, that colleges deliver. It also leads on the development and implementation of the Government's adult ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) strategy for Scotland. The main aims of the team are to:
- support the development of college staff in Scotland;
- provide policy input and advice in respect of the qualifications delivered by Scotland's Colleges;
- develop, and support the implementation of, the adult ESOL strategy; and
- provide a quality administrative support service across the branches, with an emphasis on delivering results.
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George's team leads on a varied range of strategic and college-specific issues. Ministers receive frequent representations about the college sector, and George's team provides advice on these, and on how Ministers might choose to respond or react. The team has recently been involved in issues such major estates developments and potential mergers; safeguarding the charitable status of colleges; Gaelic college issues; financial health; and industrial relations. The team also supports Ministers' engagement with the college sector, providing advice and briefing for speeches, visits and meetings. More generally the team:
- takes responsibility for college governance arrangements (which will include implementation of ROSCO recommendations which are agreed by Ministers)
- provides a communication link between Ministers and the sector
- ensures Ministers are made promptly of emerging issues in the college sector
- replies to correspondence on behalf of Ministers and drafts replies for Ministers to use in response to Written and Oral Parliamentary Questions
- works with the press office to advise Ministers on media issues
- supports the 'FE-HE Roundtable' (a forum which involves all stakeholders in the tertiary education sector).
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Audrey's team is responsible for maintaining close links with the Funding Council and, as 'Sponsor' Branch, manages appointments to the Council, prepares strategic guidance to the Funding Council and ensures that it delivers against Ministerial priorities. It also ensures via monthly disbursement to the funding council, that Scotland's colleges and universities have the resources they need to operate.
Cross cutting issues including exploring issues of capacity and supply and demand in Scotland's Colleges and provision quality assurance matters.
The team also leads on policy for:
adult literacy and numeracy, currently refreshing the Adult Literacy and Numeracy strategy to ensure that literacies continues to make a strong contribution to Ministers' objectives on skills.
Community Based Adult Learning (CBAL), administering a grant scheme which assists national CBAL voluntary organisations
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International Students Team - Alex Young
Ann's team has lead responsibility for international aspects of further and higher education in Scotland, by focusing on three main areas:
1) Taking forward the strategy for "International Lifelong Learning: Scotland's contribution" which aims to position Scotland as a world leader in international post-school
2) Promoting Scottish tertiary education interests in overseas markets, including:
- working with British Council Scotland and 'EducationUK Scotland'
- working within the UK-wide Prime Minister's Initiative on international education
- supporting the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's 'Chevening and Marshall' scholarship programmes
3) Promoting Scottish tertiary education interests within wider policy developments and programmes, including the Bologna Process for higher education reform in Europe
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Learning and Access Team - Ann McVie
Hugh leads a team which is responsible for a number of learner and access related issues which cut across both further and higher education.
College related priorities for 2007-08 include:
- Leading on the FHE elements of a number of cross cutting Scottish Executive policies including public sector workforce development, sustainable development
- Implementing and making arrangements for monitoring widening access measures for Further and Higher Education.
- Supporting the update of the Partnership Matters including publication.
- Jointly leading work with COSLA and other partners on funding arrangements and support for students with complex additional support needs who study outside Scotland.
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