The Department for Innovation Universities and Skills (DIUS) has launched a new assessment system for the further education sector.

The Framework for Excellence has been developed by the Learning and Skills Council
(LSC) in consultation with colleges and providers, DIUS, Ofsted and the Learning and
Skills Improvement Service.

It will apply to colleges and work-based learning providers from September this year and will lead to all providers publishing their assessment rating publicly by 2010, allowing prospective students and employers to compare results.

Launching the scheme , Bill Rammell, minister for lifelong learning, further and higher education, said: “The new performance measures will mean that every prospective student
and employer wanting to access further education will be able to see the quality and responsiveness they can expect from an institution.”

Mark Haysom, chairman of the LSC added: “A better educated, skilled and motivated workforce is vital to the country’s continued economic prosperity.

“The launch of the Framework for Excellence, as the overall performance assessment framework for FE providers, is a major part of the increased focus on delivering the best
possible provision for learners and employers.

"This single, clear framework for assessing performance will provide colleges and training providers with a consistent set of measures on which to base continual improvements in the quality and responsiveness of their provision.”