Improving skills for young people
New educational body could be a big help
Young people in North Lanarkshire will benefit from plans by a newlycreated regional education body to enhance training and learning opportunities .
The council is supporting the City Region Education Improvement Collaborative, which proposes to work in partnership with seven other local authorities to deliver a range of reforms that will raise attainment and achievement levels and provide skills training that meets the needs of employers.
The collaboration will also provide support for headteachers, teachers and practitioners to make local decisions about improving attainment and employability skills.
The improvement collaborative proposed a new structure and governance terms at a recent meeting of the City Region to ensure that local decision- making and accountability on education reform remains firmly in the hands of individual local authorities.
It also recommended the body be chaired by a region lead officer, appointed by and accountable to the eight local authority chief executives.
North Lanarkshire Council leader Jim Logue said: “We are extremely supportive of the education improvement collaborative, which will undoubtedly see local authorities working together to deliver a range of projects that will support families and young people in education, improve school attainment and ultimately contribute to helping grow the economy across the region.
“There is a great deal of work already ongoing within schools to support the young people living and learning in North Lanarkshire and assisting them with the skills and confidence they need to get ready for the world of work.
“The benefits of working in partnership with other local authorities to develop and deliver educational reform are clear.
“However, it is vital decisions about local schools and education services are kept within the parameters of each individual local authority.
“Agre e i n g to the proposed new governance structure within the collaborative means that local democratic accountability on decisions around education remains