Another week, another initiative. Lifelong Learning and Higher Education Minister Margaret Hodge has announced that a further education champion is being sought to run a new unit devoted to raising standards in post-16 learning. The new unit based at the Department for Education and Skills will have responsibility for standards and effectiveness across all further education provision.

The director of the unit will work closely with Ministers and the Learning and Skills Council to transform standards in post-16 learning by identifying and developing successful and innovative methods of teaching and learning. The director will be supported by a team of 30, including staff seconded from the post-16 sector itself.

Margaret Hodge said: "Earlier this year I started a debate on how to reward excellence and tackle uneven quality in further education and training. The creation of this new post-16 Teaching and Learning Unit underlines our intent to improve quality and raise success rates. We will develop an approach to teaching and learning that excites, energises and engages teachers and other frontline staff, while drawing on their expertise. The unit will develop new teaching strategies for particular curriculum areas and ensure teachers and lecturers are trained in their use.

"This unit will transform and modernise further education, make it responsive to employer needs, and help give the country the skills it needs to boost productivity."

Next month Education and Skills Secretary Estelle Morris will make a keynote speech outlining a wide-ranging strategy for transforming further education which will go out for consultation.