FE Foundation Degrees welcome, but years too late - Randerson

4.57.16pm GMT Thu 5th Feb 2009

Foundation Degree powers for FE will lead to more opportunities for people who wish to learn

Welsh Lib Dem Shadow Minister for Education, Jenny Randerson AM has welcomed the news that Welsh FE Colleges could soon be able to award Foundation Degrees, but criticised the fact the Labour Government did not request these powers earlier.

The powers will now be included in the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill in Westminster, but questions have been asked as to why the Government turned down the chance to get these powers in the Bill that led to the Further Education and Training Act of 2007.

Jenny Randerson said: "It's wonderful news that these powers for FE institutions are finally on their way to Wales, but serious questions remain for the Labour Government about why they turned this chance down in 2006 when the Bill sought these powers for FE in England.

"The Minister at the time said they were not needed. Today's welcome news is nothing more than an admission that the Government was wrong and they should apologise for the missed opportunities of the last year or so."

Notes:

From the CELLS Committee report into the Further Education and Training Bill 06/07

http://www.assemblywales.org/d45fcc470eb78a385a7ac88e0c657c22.pdf