Liberal Democrat Party Conference

Liverpool, 18-22 September 2010

Business secretary Vince Cable said that the knowledge-based economy "requires more high quality people from FE, HE and vocational training... There has to be a revolution in post-16 education and training" in his speech to the Liberal Democrat Party Conference.

"The great thing is that all Liberal Democrats share a passion for education. When it comes to lasting fairness, education is everything," said Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat leader, in his Conference speech. Read the speech in full on the Liberal Democrat website.

There was a full debate at the conference on the party's stance towards academies and free schools, and this concluded  after informed and challenging viewpoints and a range of evidence in support for academies and more reservations about free schools. IfL is encouraged that head teachers of academies, free schools, university technical colleges and studio schools are likely to have the freedom to recruit further education (FE) teachers with QTLS, which is especially important for the teaching of vocational subjects and for the benefit of young people.

Sara Teather, minister of state children and families confirmed that "education can be a key driver of social mobility."

The Pearson Fringe, led by Steve Besley, gave a sweeping overview of national policies and a deeper look at the implications for young people and adult skills. He anticipated that the Wolf Review of vocational education for 14 to 19 year olds is likely to lead to a firmer core, as the consensus seems to be that there are too many vocational qualifications for young people.

In conference debate, one speaker referred to the potential for exciting developments for further education, skills, higher education and cooperatives and mutuals as keys to the nation's future prosperity. It was rare but good to hear FE featuring in the full conference.

Another contributor to the conference debate referred to manufacturing needing to be central to economic recovery, with a skilled workforce needed for the manufacturing sector. This means that further education and higher education must be accorded equal status.

The conference considered the importance of happiness and wellbeing, the dignity and social identity deriving from work, as well as economic drivers. IfL knows that teachers and trainers value these broader outcomes for learners, as well as skills and qualifications.

One speaker reinforced the central role that teachers have, citing research by the institute of  education showing that it is the "classroom you are in not the institution" that makes the difference.

In an AoC fringe meeting, 'What makes a good education?', a panel of  experts on various aspects of education debated at length curriculum design, appropriate knowledge and skills and vocational versus academic routes. In the end  they agreed unanimously that research findings and their own personal experience showed that it is inspirational teachers who were central to a good education. 

The Learning and Skills Network (LSN) and Pearson Policy Centre fringe meeting on the controversial question 'Who should pay for skills?' saw an energetic debate on whether it should be the employer, the individual, the government - or a mixture of all three. It was argued that it was time to get away from the notion of the subsidy of  'free' training' and back to an understanding of the long-term value of investment in development. The role of professional bodies in supporting continuing professional development (CPD) was seen as critical to the future success of the skills agenda.

The conference also saw a full debate on 'fairness in a time of austerity', the importance of the investment in post-16 education and training was an integral part of a motion focusing on limiting the damaging impact of cuts to public services; this was strongly  supported by a packed hall of delegates.