Government Response
The Government welcomes the House of Commons Defence
Committee's inquiry into The Armed Forces Covenant in Action?
Part 4: Education of Service Personnel and the findings set
out in the Committee's report published on 18 July 2013. The Government
recognises the importance of its commitment which states that
Service personnel should expect to receive appropriate training
and education for both personal and professional development,
including the opportunity to gain nationally recognised qualifications,
in order to support them through their Service career and to prepare
them for life after leaving the Services. We welcome the Committee's
acknowledgement that the training of personnel to deliver operational
capability is paramount for the Armed Forces. We also welcome
the Committee's belief that the Services provide challenging and
constructive education and employment opportunities for young
people and its acknowledgement of our apprenticeship expansion.
Building upon the expansion of apprenticeship schemes
for new recruits and trainees and the improvements seen in the
ratings awarded by Ofsted, the Government acknowledges the Committee's
desire to ensure that more establishments providing apprenticeship
schemes and courses are rated as 'outstanding'. We also note the
need to increase the number of areas where personnel can acquire
a civilian qualification that can help their transition to a career
outside the Services.
The Government notes the Committee's view that the
MoD should encourage more recruits to undertake English and Maths
academic qualifications to stand them in good stead for the future.
We are grateful for the opportunity to respond to
the Committee in September 2013 with our progress update against
its recommendations.
The Government recognises the detailed work the Committee
has undertaken. Our formal response to its recommendations and
conclusions is set out below. Where appropriate, we have grouped
together related conclusions and recommendations to respond with
a single coherent narrative that addresses both the specific recommendation
and the wider underpinning arguments. The Committee's findings
are highlighted in bold, with the Government's response in plain
text. For ease of reference, paragraph numbering follows that
in the 'Conclusions and Recommendations' section of the Committee's
Report, including the paragraph reference to the report itself.
Conclusions and Recommendations
Requirements for the education of 16 and 17
year old recruits
1. We support the Armed Forces' provision of challenging
and constructive education and employment opportunities for young
people. But we would welcome further information on why the Army
is so dependent on recruiting personnel under the age of 18 years
compared to the other two Services, and whether steps are being
taken to reduce this dependency. (Paragraph 13)
3. The MoD should carry out a thorough cost-benefit
analysis of the policy of recruiting Armed Forces personnel under
the age of 18 years old. It should provide us with this cost-benefit
analysis. (Paragraph 24)
In offering challenging and constructive education
and employment opportunities to those who have reached the school
leaving age (16), the Armed Forces are mindful of the requirement
to provide a supportive environment which takes account of the
care and welfare needs of young people whilst offering them the
opportunity to discharge up to the age of 18 years. Intake into
the Armed Forces is spread across the eligible age range, however
the Government agrees that the Armed Forces should undertake a
cost-benefit analysis of the recruitment of U18s and work has
been set in hand with the Army to look at this.
Ofsted
2. We welcome the expansion of apprenticeships
for new recruits and trainees and the improvements in the ratings
given by Ofsted. The Armed Forces should build on these improvements
to ensure that more establishments providing apprenticeships are
rated as outstanding by Ofsted. The MoD should provide us with
its plans to address the areas for further improvement identified
by Ofsted and its recommendations. (Paragraph 19)
All establishments involved in the delivery of apprenticeships
seek to be graded as 'good' or better by Ofsted. In the light
of the recent Ofsted assessment of the Army apprenticeship provision
in 2013, the single Services will review their own areas. The
Army will incorporate the Ofsted findings into its continuous
improvement planning. The MoD is particularly interested in the
assessment made relating to instructor capability and will ensure
that the ongoing review of instructor training considers the Ofsted
findings.
8. We support the use
of Ofsted inspections, which bring an independent assessment of
the performance of training and education within the Armed Forces,
in particular, for recruits and trainees under the age of 18 years.
The Armed Forces should share the results of the inspections across
establishments to help them improve. (Paragraph 47)
Ofsted reports are published which enables the outcomes
from inspection to be shared. Additionally units are encouraged
to make contact with each other in order to share good practice.
For example those involved in initial military training meet twice
annually, each Service taking it in turn to host the event. Earlier
this year (12/13 March 2013) the Royal Marines hosted the forum
at Lympstone with the stated aim: To provide the opportunity for
staff from initial training establishments to share best practice
and discuss opportunities for continuous improvement. The next
initial training forum is planned for October 2013 to be hosted
by the Army at Pirbright.
9. We welcome the continuing improvement in the
Ofsted ratings of Armed Forces initial training establishments.
The MoD should work to improve all establishments so that they
reach the minimum acceptable Ofsted standard of 'good' in a timely
fashion. In particular, the MoD should focus its attention on
those weaker establishments whose performance has not improved.
The MoD should tell us how it intends to achieve this improvement
and in what timescale. (Paragraph 52)
A continuous improvement culture within the Armed
Forces initial training environment has developed over time supported
by Ofsted inspection. Whilst Ofsted undertake a limited number
of inspections each year, the published results are used to inform
the wider training and education community including units, training
HQs and the MoD. Each Command has responsibility for the delivery
and management of its training and education, including monitoring
and improving performance, and all would wish to be rated at least
'good' or better. All units are encouraged to learn from areas
that are rated as 'good' or 'outstanding' and together with support
from their HQs reasonable improvements can be made in a relatively
short time. The need for the Command chain to focus its attention
and support on those establishments needing the greatest improvement
will be reaffirmed. The Ofsted inspection programme is risk based
and does include revisits to check on improvements to assess the
impact of change but the timing of such revisits is solely a matter
for Ofsted.
Basic level entry requirements
4. If as the MoD states, it has to recruit personnel
at whatever level of attainment is available, then it should boost
remedial action when recruitment entry standards are particularly
low. In the light of changes brought about by Future Force 2020,
it may be that recruiting personnel with higher levels of attainment
would better meet the future needs of the Armed Forces. The MoD
should identify how it might raise the basic entry level and still
recruit sufficient personnel. (Paragraph 27)
Literacy and numeracy support
5. The Armed Forces have a good record of improving
the literacy and numeracy of recruits and trainees who enter the
Armed Forces with low levels of attainment. We welcome the introduction
of literacy and numeracy support throughout Phase 1 training.
The MoD should consolidate this recent improvement by reviewing
their support for literacy and numeracy to ensure that it meets
best practice as set out by Ofsted. (Paragraph 35)
6. Whilst we recognise that some recruits may
not have done well in their previous academic careers and may
not be eager to take further academic exams, the MoD should encourage
more recruits to undertake English and Maths GCSEs which would
stand them in good stead for future employment. (Paragraph 37)
Basic educational qualifications are just one of
the requirements that must be fulfilled in order to be eligible
to apply to join the Armed Forces, which have a need to recruit
from across the educational spectrum seen within wider society.
As the composition and role of the Forces, and the nature of the
tasks they perform change over time individual personnel requirements
are adjusted. Entry standards are set by each Service and specialisation,
and are kept under review to capture changing requirements. Whilst
Future Force 2020 may modify the entry requirements over time
the Armed Forces will continue to develop specialist skills and
enable the attainment of role related qualifications across more
than 300 specialist employment areas for the more than 14,000
young people we recruit every year.
Support for functional numeracy and literacy skills
commences during phase 1 training and Ofsted believe the instructor
has a vital role to play in delivering improvement to this area.
The review of instructor training is ongoing and will take account
of the good practice findings for teaching and learning from the
Ofsted reports 'Removing barriers to literacy' and 'Tackling the
challenges of low numeracy skills in young people and adults'.
The Armed Forces also continue to promote personal
development through learning credit schemes which help personnel
complete recognised qualifications, including English and Maths
GCSEs, to support their career development in-Service and employment
prospects beyond Service. Whilst this encouragement remains, it
must be accepted that not all personnel are able to reach higher
academic standards.
Defence instructors
7. The MoD should ensure that all instructors
complete the 'Defence Train the Trainer' course before they take
up their appointments. The MoD should also institute a system
of observation and feedback to all instructors in line with the
recommendations made by Ofsted in its recent work for the MoD.
In response to this Report, the MoD should set out its plan and
timetable to implement these recommendations. (Paragraph 42)
Following the Wolf and Lingfield reports and the
subsequent review of further education and skills teaching qualifications,
the Defence requirements for instructor training are being revised
to ensure that we remain in-step with emerging practice in the
Further Education sector.
Learning Credits
10. In response to this Report, the MoD should
inform us of the results of its investigation into the fall in
the take-up of Standard Learning Credits. If appropriate, the
MoD should encourage greater take-up amongst Armed Forces personnel.
(Paragraph 57)
We continue to publicise and guide personnel on the
merits of the Standard Learning Credits scheme and to ensure that
the scheme remains accessible. We will continue doing this and
will also seek to identify ways for increasing the take-up in
conjunction with the single Services,
Funding and the time available for education
11. The MoD should not reduce funding for education
as a result of the 2013 Spending Review. The MoD should promote
education in the Armed Forces and encourage the chain of command
to find time for personnel to engage in such activities. (Paragraph
62)
The Committee's support for the continued funding
for education is noted. Promotion of the education and training
opportunities offered to Armed Forces personnel remains critical
in the development of operational capability, is important to
the chain of command as a means of enabling retention and supports
successful transition to a civilian career.
Higher education as part of career development
for senior leaders
12. We are persuaded that, as well as recruiting
graduates as officers, the provision of higher education for those
in command in the Armed Forces is essential and should not be
reduced by the MoD as a cost-cutting exercise. The MoD should
provide us with the results of the Review of the Higher Command
and Staff Course when completed and the response of the Defence
Training Board to its recommendations. We will return to the subject
of higher education in the Armed Forces, in particular, the need
to educate personnel in strategic decision-making, as part of
our work on Future Force 2020. (Paragraph 69)
Noting the Committee's view of the essential nature
of higher education for those in command, the MoD agrees to inform
the Committee of the outcome of its review and the response of
the Defence Training Board in respect of the Higher Command and
Staff Course.
13. With the increased role envisaged for reservists
in Future Force 2020, it is essential that the Armed Forces make
Reserve Service as attractive as possible for the reservists and
their employers. We see the education accreditation project as
an important component in encouraging people to join the Reserves.
The MoD should provide us with the results of this project and
its implementation plans. (Paragraph 71)
The Accreditation Project is continuing to evolve
with good progress being made by the Armed Forces, particularly
in generic military skills and values and 'Command, Leadership
and Management', areas which carry the greatest shared appeal
to both individual reservists and their employers. The MoD will
inform the Committee of the outcome and implementation plans stemming
from this project.
The provision of civilian qualifications
14. Given that most Armed Forces personnel will
need to have at least one further career, we support the MoD's
policy of supporting the provision of civilian qualifications.
We recommend that the MoD identify the potential for more pilot
projects with civilian employers to develop the provision of civilian
qualifications and to ensure that vital skills paid for by the
MoD are not lost to the country. The MoD should tell us the results
of its pilot projects on the training of paramedics. (Paragraph
75)
The Army pilot programme to provide professional
recognition for its Combat Medical Technicians (CMT) is run in
conjunction with Cumbria University. Existing CMTs are able to
apply for a place on this programme to attain a Level 4 award
in Pre-hospital Emergency Care, which bridges the gap between
their military medic training and civilian professional standards.
Currently 123 personnel have been selected for this training pathway
and of these 81 have completed the programme and gained the Level
4 qualification. The results for the remaining 42 will be available
in September 2013 and April 2014. A further cohort of 60 personnel
is planned to go through this training pathway, starting in October
2013. Lessons from this pilot will inform further Defence Healthcare
Education and Training.
The Army is also running a pilot programme to train
individuals to achieve State Registered Paramedic status through
a Level 5 Foundation degree in paramedic practice. A cohort of
30 students, who have achieved the Level 4 award in Pre-hospital
Emergency Care, is currently partway through this 18 month pilot
programme. This is due to end in September 2014 with a further
cohort of 30 planned to start in June 2014.
Resettlement prospects
15. Most Armed Forces personnel do well in gaining
employment after leaving the Services. Many employers find ex-Armed
Forces personnel very employable. In particular, employers value
their disciplined approach, determination and work ethic. We encourage
the MoD to continue its support for the resettlement of Armed
Forces personnel, particularly in this time of redundancies from
the Armed Forces. (Paragraph 80)
The Government notes the Committee's observation
and will continue to make, and pursue, opportunities with industry
in order to optimise the value and effect of resettlement.
Conclusion
16. We recognise that training personnel to deliver
operational capability is paramount for the Armed Forces. However,
we believe that the Armed Forces also provide challenging and
constructive education and employment opportunities for young
people. We welcome the expansion of Apprenticeships for those
joining the Service. Ofsted reports that performance in most training
establishments is good. But we would wish to see an improvement
so that all establishments are rated at least good and more establishments,
apprenticeships schemes and courses are rated as outstanding.
(Paragraph 81)
17. Continuing education for serving personnel
is important, both for their own career development and for retention.
As personnel will almost certainly go on to a further career after
they leave the Services, it is also important that training leads
to civilian qualifications wherever possible. We welcome work
by the Armed Forces to increase the number of areas where personnel
can acquire a civilian qualification and would like to see this
work further extended. (Paragraph 82)
The MoD is one of the largest providers of apprenticeships
in the UK. The Department recognises the benefit of external inspection
by bodies such as Ofsted in promoting sustained improvement. Inspection
against the common inspection framework of both the apprenticeship
provision and the care and welfare provided to recruits ensures
that assessment and action planning is undertaken within Units
and training HQs. Both internal and external audit and inspection
have enabled a greater understanding and the development of a
continuous improvement culture within Armed Forces training and
education establishments who all aspire to be rated as 'outstanding'
in their provision.
Wherever it is practical and sensible to do so, the
Armed Forces will continue to pursue the accreditation of military
training with recognised civilian qualifications and to support
personal development through such initiatives as the Learning
Credits schemes. With approximately 40 000 achievements of different
kinds every year from Functional Skills to Masters Degrees, from
Apprenticeships to personal development and across every phase
of a Service career and beyond, the Armed Forces recognise the
importance of training and education in developing the human capital
that represents our key asset.
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