Peter Lauener, Chief Executive of the YPLA, engaged an audience of educational specialists on the significance and emerging detail of the formation of the Education Funding Agency which affects all educational funding for 16- to 19-year-olds.

Representatives from County Councils, training providers and the Special Schools and Academies Trust, joined board members from FE colleges and secondary schools, exam board managers, educational consultants and a county councillor to understand the challenges that these changes may bring and implications for their continuing effective delivery of services.

Mr Lauener gave a comprehensive overview of the responsibilities being carried forward into the EFA and the timetable for change, the Government's plans for increasing participation in training or education for 16- to 19-year-olds, and responded to wide-ranging questions about accountability and quality control, especially in relation to Academies and their growth. The 14-month transition period is designed to ensure a careful handover and allow effective practical implementation to meet local educational needs. Participants also initiated discussion about 'student choice', young offenders, other vulnerable young person groups, and the impact on their relationship with third sector organisations.

The two organisations will run concurrently until April 2012 until which time the YPLA will continue to play a key role in evaluation of ESF programmes for young people (the allocation and contracts for which are managed by the Skills Funding Agency). As current funding cuts take effect, ESF funding provision becomes increasingly significant in delivering key engagement and training services to the most vulnerable young person, including those who are NEET or in danger of becoming NEET.

The event was organised by the Campaign for Learning: www.campaign-for-learning.org.uk/cfl/index.asp.