Commentary on Sections Section 64: Abolition of office of Chief Executive of Skills Funding
314.This section gives effect to Schedule 14, which amends Part 4 of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (“ASCLA”). See commentary on Schedule 14 below. Part 4 of ASCLA provides for there to be a Chief Executive of Skills Funding (the “Chief Executive”) and prescribes certain powers and duties in relation to the provision of education and training for learners who are aged 19 or over, including powers to fund further education colleges and training providers for the delivery of specified full or part time courses in further education or vocational training, and apprenticeship training for people aged 16 and over.
315.These changes repeal the statutory post of Chief Executive and its prescribed powers, duties and functions, and transfer certain powers and duties in respect of apprenticeship training, and further education and training for adults, to the Secretary of State. The changes will enable the Skills Funding Agency – the executive agency set up in April 2010 to support the Chief Executive exercise its functions – to operate through the powers and duties of the Secretary of State, rather than the Chief Executive. This is consistent with the government’s wider commitment to improve the transparency and accountability for all public services, and will reduce administrative burden on the government by providing a clearer and more streamlined governance and accountability framework for the Agency.