Alan Johnson, minister for lifelong learning has launched a new leadership college for the learning and skills sector - the Centre for Excellence in Leadership.
Johnson said, "Good leadership is crucial to the effectiveness of any organisation, and we are absolutely committed to strengthening the leadership and management of providers in the learning and skills sector as part of our Success for All reform agenda. The new Centre for Excellence in Leadership lies at the heart of this strategy."
A joint consultation with the new centre on a leadership development strategy for the sector has also been launched which aims to develop the leaders of the future.
Johnson continued, "The sector needs to respond to the challenge of identifying, encouraging and developing its next generation of leaders. This is an urgent challenge as almost half the senior mangers in the sector are due to retire in the next ten to fifteen years, and they are predominantly white and male. I believe that the Centre will be a catalyst in tackling these problems, boosting leadership skills and creating clear development pathways for the people who will be our next generation of leaders. I am therefore pleased to launch a joint consultation with the new Centre on how together we can support the leaders in our sector in reaching their full potential.”
Dr Graham Peeke, Interim Director of the Centre for Excellence in Leadership, said "The launch of the Centre for Excellence in Leadership today marks the culmination of months of preparation. The partners all have years of experience and expertise in different aspects of leadership. The added value that this will bring epitomizes the style of the Centre which will focus on team leadership and empowering others. Our vision is one in which a wide range of participants from across the learning and skills sector are engaged in stimulating learning activities. These will enthuse them as leaders and equip them with the knowledge and skills to lead learning and build leadership capacity within their own institutions."
The consultation paper is available via the DfES website: www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations
