Happy New Year Everyone! Before I get too caught up in 2007 here is a re-cap of the last few of weeks of 2006.

4th and 5th December were spent in HQ. On 5th the Leitch Review of Skills was published. Lord Leitch was asked by the Government in 2004 to consider what the UK’s long-term ambition should be for developing skills in order to maximise economic prosperity, productivity and improve social justice. The report is a sharp reality check about the state of UK skills, their importance for our economic future and recommends radical changes across the whole skills spectrum. NUS will be working in the build up to the Comprehensive Spending Review to ensure that the views and benefits for learners are kept central to any changes made as a result of the Leitch Review. For more information please read the links below.

Leitch final report http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/523/43/leitch_finalreport051206.pdf

NUS comment http://www.nusonline.co.uk/news/273513.aspx

Treasury Press Notice http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/newsroom_and_speeches/press/2006/press_leitch.cfm

6th- In the morning I attending a seminar on Further Education hosted by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers. Gemma gave a presentation about NUS’ work on the FE Bill and I sat on a panel with her afterwards to answer questions. I then gave a presentation to the Ministerial Standing Group on the work currently being carried out on personalisation and what the impact will be for learners, employers and the system as a whole.

7th-8th- On the morning of 7th I attended the first meeting of the Self Regulation Implementation Group which has been convened to put together a proposal for the Secretary of State for Education on how the FE system can become more self regulated. I then spent the rest of the week at Windsor Castle at an event looking at what the Further Education system will look like in 2025.

11th- Day in HQ

12th- I attended a meeting of the Personalisation Project Group in the morning and a meeting of the National Learner Panel Steering Group in the afternoon. The first ever National Learner was officially launched on 20th November. I’m delighted to be a member of the panel and the first meeting is on 14th-15th January. In the evening I was invited to give a speech and hand out some awards at City of Westminster College’s Student Awards. Congratulations to all the prize winners and thank you for an inspiring and enjoyable evening.

13th-15th were spent in HQ attending internal meetings

18th- Possibly one of the most encouraging and forward thinking NEC meetings I’ve ever been to.

19th- I attended NUS’ Annual organisation meeting

20th- Senior Management Team meeting and then off for a brilliant winter break!

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