Following a 12 month review of the UK's 72 National Training Organisations (NTOs), the Government has announced that NTOs are to be abolished and replaced by a smaller, more powerful set of organisations to be known as Sector Skills Councils.
Between 25 and 30 new Councils will replace the old NTOs, each of which will receive core funding of around £1m to help it meet the needs of its sector. Metier, the NTO of the Arts and Entertainment Sector, is now seeking the support of employers for Arts and Entertainment to have its own Skills Council. It has published a prospectus and consultation document setting out the challenges that John Healey, Minister for Adult Skills, has made to the organisations wishing to be Sector Skills Councils. Although Metier is currently a member of the Impact Group of six related NTOs which share a number of common interests, Chief Executive Duncan Sones and Chair Alan Rivett have put forward arguments for the Arts and Entertainment Sector to continue to be represented by a stand-alone Council, rather than join with other sectors such as broadcasting, film or museums and heritage. It now needs the backing of sector employers if it is to present a coherent case to the Minister for remaining independent and avoid being forced into partnership with others. Metier 's view is contrary to that expressed by Resource: the Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries, (ArtsProfessional issue 1, May 7), which responded to the Government's consultation exercise about the future of NTOs with a proposal for a single broadly-based training organisation for the Cultural Sector to replace the current fragmented structure. Responses to Metier 's consultation document should be made by December 17.
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Published: 03-12-2001