DfES &LSC Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA):Consultation Alert

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION AND SKILLS AND LEARNING AND SKILLS COUNCIL Skills Strategy Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) Consultation Alert The Department for Education and Skills and the Learning and Skills Council would like to invite you to respond to the consultation on this draft document. The Impact Assessment considers the implications for disability, gender and race equality (and age, where possible) of the proposals in the Government’s White Paper ‘Skills: Getting on in business, getting on at work’ (March 2005), and of the ways in which these have subsequently been developed and implemented, including through the White Paper ‘Further Education: Raising Skills, Improving Life Chances’ (March 2006). The EQIA, and the consultation, relate solely to England. Public consultation is a key stage in the preparation of the EQIA and we are keen to secure views from a wide range of organisations and individuals concerned with learning and training for adults, and with all aspects of equality and diversity. These comments will influence the final version of the document which we expect to publish in May 2007. The EQIA is an on-going process, however, and the document will be revised and updated periodically after that date. From Tuesday 20 February you can find the draft document on the DfES website at http://www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations/. It includes some key questions on which we suggest you focus your response (though you are welcome to comment on any part of the EQIA). There are four alternative ways to let us have your views: · Online through the DfES consultation website at http://www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations/ · By direct email to SkillsEqualities.CONSULTATION@dfes.gsi.gov.uk · By writing to: Skills Strategy Equality Impact Assessment Consultation Department for Education and Skills Area W8c Moorfoot Sheffield S1 4PQ · At one of our regional consultation events in March - details below. The deadline for submitting comments by any of these media is Monday 16 April 2007. Consultation events Timing for events London - 13.00 arrival and light lunch. Session runs from 13.30 - 16.00. Elsewhere - 12.00 arrival and light lunch. Session runs from 12.30 - 15.30. Locations and dates North West Tuesday 6th March The Golden Tulip, The Charlton Suite, Waters Reach, Trafford Park, Manchester M17 1WS North East Thursday 8th March LSC Office, Allergate House, Belmont Business Park, Belmont, Co. Durham DH1 1TW South East Monday 12th March LSC Office, Hampshire & Isle of Wight, Eagle Point, Little Park Farm Road, Segensworth, Fareham PO15 5TD East of England Thursday 15th March LSC Office, Redwing House, Hedgerows Business Park, Colchester Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 5PB West Midlands Monday 19th March LSC Office, Birmingham & Solihull, 15 Bartholomew Row, Birmingham B5 5JU South West Friday 23rd March The Exchange, Bristol Road, Bridgewater, Somerset TA6 4RR London Monday 26th March Kingsgate Community Centre, 107 Kingsgate Road, London NW6 2JH Yorkshire & Humberside Wednesday 28th March LSC Office, Mercury House, 4 Manchester Road, Bradford BD5 0QL East Midlands Friday 30th March The Park Inn Hotel, 296 Mansfield Road, Nottingham NG5 2BT Booking a place at an event The National Institute of Continuing Education (NIACE) will be handling delegate enquiries on behalf of the DfES/LSC. Faxback form attached.