The Further Education Development Agency has changed its name and gained some new responsibilities as a result of a government re-think earlier this year.

The new Learning and Skills Development Agency (LASDA) is expanding its role across the learning and skills sector to help to develop government policy across post-16 education and training. Currently involved with generating statistics for Further Education through the Further Education Research Network, Survey Research Unit and Statistical Unit, the new agency is developing projects likely to be of interest to TECs, Local Education Authorities and companies interested in post-16 education and training. Current research projects include a study into the cost effectiveness of distributed open and distance learning and the joint ADAPT project with the University for Industry. A new programme of work to improve basic skills opportunities for people with learning difficulties and disabilities is being jointly launched by NIACE and the Agency.

Liz Marshall, Press Officer for the Agency explained the reasons for the change to TrainingZONE: "In May, the government gave us a new remit for the whole of the learning and skills sector - previously we'd focussed on the FE sector. We've been asked to take a particular look at work-based training, carrying out research and development work in that area." Marshall adds that the new agency will be working closely with organisations such as the Training Standards Council and the incoming Learning and Skills Council.