Press Release

“Heavy-hitters”from Education and Business join LSC: LSC appoints three new members to its National Council

26 June 2007

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and the Department for Education and Skills
(DfES) today announced the appointment of three new expert members from the world of
business, schools and Higher Education to the LSC’s National Council.

The new members are:

John Cridland CBE: Deputy Director-General of the CBI

Malcolm Trobe, outgoing President of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), Headteacher of Malmesbury School, Wiltshire

Professor Deian Hopkin, Vice Chancellor of London South Bank University

Congratulating the three on their appointment, LSC Chair, Chris Banks said:

“I am delighted to welcome John, Malcolm and Deian to the National Council. As
members of the Council, they will play a vital role in helping the LSC to shape a world
class learning and skills system for England that meets the skills and training demands of
employers and learners. They will also play a key part in supporting the LSC’s drive to
continue to simplify and streamline its operations for the benefit of the providers we fund,
our partners and ultimately for the benefit of the learners, employers and communities we
serve.

“In this way, they will have an opportunity to make a real and positive difference to the
lives of over 5 million learners over the age of 16; and to thousands of businesses across
England”.

All three share the LSC’s commitment to improving the skills and qualifications of young
people and adults –whatever their background –for a more competitive economy and
inclusive society. But more than that, each brings with them their own set of skills and
expertise:

- John Cridland as a renowned representative of the business community will
help to ensure that the LSC is delivering the training and skills that employers want.

- Malcolm Trobe, as a senior, key figure within the schools’sector will be able to
advise the LSC on the learning and training we provide - in collaboration with schools and
other partners –for young people.

- Deian Hopkin as a well known and respected Vice Chancellor, will play a key role
in helping the LSC to further strengthen the links between Further and Higher Education,
as we seek to increase the number of learners progressing from Further Education to
University, in order to gain higher level skills and qualifications.

Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Education said:

“Skills are key to this country's productivity and competitiveness. The Government is
committed to ensuring that businesses can recruit and retain individuals with the skills
they need for their success and that individuals have the skills they need to get on in work
and in life.

“The LSC has a crucial role making sure we have a learning and skills system that
provides the training and qualifications that both employers and individuals need. The
knowledge, expertise and experience of the new Council members will strengthen further
the LSC’s capacity to make a difference to our economy and people’s lives.”

The new members will take up their posts from September 2007 and will be appointed for
a three year period. Each postholder will be paid an honorarium of £4,000 per year plus
expenses to cover travel, childcare and subsistence.

Commenting on his appointment, John Cridland said:

“Skills are vital to the UK’s productivity and competitiveness. Skill and qualification levels
have improved greatly over the past few years, but this same rate of progress will not be
enough if the UK is to continue to thrive in an increasingly competitive global context. As a
new member of the Council, I am therefore looking forward to working with the LSC to
help it deliver its part in meeting this skills challenge. In particular, by helping to raise
awareness about the business benefits of skills to employers; and also helping to ensure
that the training the LSC funds, delivers what employers actually want.”

Commenting on his appointment Malcolm Trobe, said:

“As a new member of the National Council, I hope I can bring to bear my experience as
President of the Association of School and College Leaders; and also as a Headteacher,
in order to support and advise the LSC. I am particularly keen to work with the LSC to
build collaboration with the schools’sector so that together we can ensure young people
have a wide range of opportunities to acquire the skills and qualifications they need to get
on in work and in life.”

On his appointment Professor Deian Hopkin, said:

“These are exciting times to join the LSC, at a time when the skills challenge for the UK
has been so clearly spelt out by the Leitch Review. It has been encouraging to see so
many learners progressing from Further Education to University, not only through
traditional A level routes but also through a range of vocational and work-based learning
provision. The new 14-19 Diplomas will add a rich dimension to that provision. As a
member of the LSC National Council I want to help the LSC to continue strengthening the
crucial links between Further and Higher Education in order to extend educational
opportunities much further, and to raise the level of skills in this country. “