This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Learning initiative unveiled
27/01/2004
Plans for the new Individual Learning Account (ILA)
scheme were set out today by Lifelong Learning Minister Jim
Wallace.
Mr Wallace was speaking at the Parliament's Enterprise
and Culture Committee, where he gave details of ILA
Scotland, which replaces the previous ILA scheme.
ILA Scotland will be administered through a personal
virtual account, which will allow the learner to claim up
to £200 per year to fund a course of their choice.
Learners will be required to contribute a minimum of £10
for each course they undertake, which is designed to ensure
personal ownership in the process.
The new scheme will be available from summer 2004, and
initially be offered to people on incomes of less than
£15,000 per year. A universal scheme, focused initially on
basic ICT skills and qualifications, will be rolled out
from April 2005.
Mr Wallace said:
"It is essential that we have an enhanced skills and
knowledge base among our workforce.
"Even allowing for the difficulties of the previous
scheme we shouldn't overlook its positive points, with
128,000 people using accounts.
"ILAs will benefit a number of learners, and enjoy
widespread support due to their accessibility and ease of
use."
The previous ILA scheme was withdrawn in December 2001
following concerns about possible fraud and poor quality
learning, and the new programme includes safeguards to help
prevent this in future.
The Lifelong Learning Minister underlined the
Executive's commitment to ensuring that previous
difficulties would not arise again, saying:
"It has been essential to take the time necessary to
ensure that lessons from the first scheme have been
learned.
"We are putting in place a number of measures and
safeguards to ensure that this scheme is a success."
The new measures include:
- robust new systems being developed by the Student
Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) and the Scottish
University for Industry (SUfI), rigorously tested
before the scheme is launched;
- stringent quality assurance of learning providers
and courses;
- clear contracts between learning providers and SAAS
and SUfI;
- clear guidance for learners and providers
- rigorous monitoring and audit to ensure compliance
with the scheme's rules
Papers submitted to the Enterprise & Culture
Committee can be accessed at the Parliament's
website.
Development costs are estimated at £3.5 million during
2003-04. A budget of £18 million has been allocated for
2004-05, and £18.5 million for 2005-06.
The new scheme will be administered by the Student
Awards Agency for Scotland and the Scottish University for
Industry (learndirect scotland).
The Partnership Agreement commits the Executive to
introduce an improved ILA scheme in 2003-04.