Proposals could be death of GTA University Centre
Thursday 11th February 2010, 2:30PM GMT.
THE GTA University Centre could collapse if recommendations in a Commerce and Employment-commissioned report are implemented, its chairman said today.
Frontier Economics has released its report on ‘Upskilling Guernsey’s Workforce’, which gives details of far-reaching recommendations that GTA chairman Martyn Mann (pictured) said could cripple the university centre.
Among the proposals is a plan to create a government ‘skills agency’ that would operate above the GTA, which would then lose its independence and become wholly funded by the States.
The GTA is currently funded by grants from the department, the Guernsey Financial Services Commission and money it generates.
However, Frontier said the GTA was having a significant financial crisis. ‘The GTA is not currently able to cover its costs with its funding and revenues and is drawing on its reserves.’
To add to the agency’s difficulties, the GFSC has threatened to withdraw, within the next three years, the £435,000 a year it contributes.
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Well there is a surprise, another report commissioned by the States to get the answers it wants. I know of many people who have benefitted from the courses provided by the GTA, I too have and yes this does enhance my skills and therefore those used in the financial services sector in which I work. For the GFSC to threaten to withdraw their money is crass especially when the new DG stated at the time that Frontier was commissioned
QUOTE
On learning of the appointment of Frontier Economics, Nik Van Leuven, Director General of the Guernsey Financial Services Commission, said, ‘ I look forward to meeting Frontier Economics, in particular to stress the importance to Guernsey’s economy of the GTA’s role in enhancing qualifications and skills in and for the finance sector’.
UNQUOTE
Didn’t take him long to talk and act like a deputy, did it? say one thing, do the complete opposite
A Government skills agency? you must be kidding me, the way the States are run, but then again…no it’s no 1 April.
Biased I might be having used the GTA’s services, but this is just typical of the States we now have. Commission a report and pay a fortune for it, get the results and recommendations that it wanted, tinker and make things worse.
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In the present economic climate it is vital that the island has as many skilled workers in as many areas as possible. We need teachers, nurses and plumbers as well as those able to work in the finance industry. Our young people and their education are the future of the island.
We need a culture change that will enable vocational training to be considered just as important as A’ levels and university courses.
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I applaud the report and its recommendations. The GTA as a subsidised entity has stifled private enterprises which offer similar courses. I suspect under the proposed competition law they will be guilty of all manner of anti-competitve behaviour.
With higher education cuts in the UK we in Guernsey need to raise our own standards and this report suggests a way to do this. Good on them.
As for today’s GP editorial – complete tosh.
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Agree with Sagaman. It is neither fish nor fowl. By diverting the fees from GIBA members away from the private sector where they would otherwise buy their courses it distorts competition and has led to a loss of provision. Who wants to compete on an uneven playing field? GIBA is comfortable as long as States also chips in since it is sending highly paid staff to subsidised courses. Now that is is all out in the open it seems odd that the GPress has such a soft spot for it – you could not imagine GP campaigning for all taxis or buses to be owned by the island. No one is stopping GIBA running their own shop – effectively what is emerging in Jersey with the private sector increasing its offering.
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