Kiran Virk said: "We hope that this streamlining of departments will reduce the duplication of bodies which exist within the UK's skills system and make it easier for education providers to meet the demands of businesses." The BCI said the two departments - the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and the
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills - had created an artificial split for learners from a funding aspect.
It is sponsored by the
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. See www.innovateuk.org
As the
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills puts it: "Britain can only succeed in a rapidly changing world if we develop the skills of our people to the fullest extent and apply both knowledge and skills to create an innovative and competitive economy."
The
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills underestimated numbers qualifying for grants - 40 per cent instead of a third - and faced a pounds 200million shortfall.
The
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) website declares that Britain can only succeed in a rapidly changing world "if we develop the skills of our people to the fullest possible extent, carry out world class research and scholarship, and apply both knowledge and skills to create an innovative and competitive economy".
The
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills will consult on a new right to request time to train, which will allow millions of employees to start a conversation with their employers about how they can become more productive members of staff and enjoy better career prospects.