A new system aimed to give learners and employers a "clearer assessment" of college and learning provider performance has been published by the government.

It will be trialled using a balanced set of scorecard indicators to measure effectiveness and achievement and aim to be fully operational by summer 2008.

The government says the ramework will provide “a transparent basis” for employer and learner choice that takes into account all the main aspects of college and provider activity. It will also be a management tool for providers’ self-improvement.

Seven key performance areas, including responsiveness to employers and financial health, will contribute to the providers’ overall rating. Key areas have been grouped into three dimensions: effectiveness, responsiveness and finance.

Launching Framework for Excellence, Minister for Lifelong Learning, Higher and Further Education, Bill Rammell said: “This measure will better enable colleges and providers to manage their own improvement – we want each college and provider to be able to demonstrate how well they are doing in a simple, clear way.”