Adult Learning Inspectorate sets ambitious targets

Citation

(2001), "Adult Learning Inspectorate sets ambitious targets", Education + Training, Vol. 43 No. 7. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2001.00443gab.003

Adult Learning Inspectorate sets ambitious targets

Adult Learning Inspectorate sets ambitious targetsKeywords: Adult education, Standards, Inspection

The Adult Learning Inspectorate has been launched to form an independent inspection regime for private and public-sector adult education. It will work alongside the Learning and Skills Council, which is designed to improve the overall quality of adult learning in England. Combining the inspection of post-19 adult education in colleges and work-based training for all post-16s, the Adult Learning Inspectorate has set a target of 1,000 inspections a year. This is more than the total conducted by its predecessor organizations, the Training Standards Council and the Further Education Funding Council.

Staff levels will exceed 1,000, with 120 full-time inspectors and up to 850 associate inspectors. David Sherlock, chief inspector, said: "The real essence of our work will lie in improving the employability of the learner. The inspectorate recognizes that all forms of learning are vital and of equal value, in their different ways. Our vision is to secure the raising of standards in education and training, whether people learn in a college, at work, at home or in the community." Its responsibility spans from inspection of work-based training to colleges, prisons to e-learning, from basic skills to A-levels as well as adult and community education.