What we do
Sustainable development
Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The UK government is committed to developing a sustainable, innovative and productive economy that delivers high levels of employment and a just society that promotes social inclusion, sustainable communities and personal well-being.
The further education system has a significant role to play in achieving this. The LSC needs to provide leadership for the system and act as an exemplar organisation through its own approach to sustainable development. Over the next 10 years, our vision is that the learning and skills sector will proactively commit and contribute to sustainable development through its management of resources, the learning opportunities it delivers and its engagement with employers and communities. In particular, we have the following vision.
All providers and learners will know about sustainable development and expect it to be part of normal practice.
- Organisations will have strategies, policies and plans in place to integrate and implement sustainable development, and these will be understood and acted on.
- The LSC will have become an exemplar organisation by integrating sustainable development into its policies and everyday practices.
- Risks and barriers preventing sustainable development will be understood and strategies to overcome them will be shared.
- Continuous improvement in the sustainable development performance of the sector will be recognised and celebrated.
The LSC has already published its strategy From Here to Sustainability: The Learning and Skills Council’sStrategy for Sustainable Development, September 2005, following a consultation exercise.
Current Activity
The LSC has launched a free set of on-line line resources with the Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges (EAUC). SORTED contains key policy documents, case studies and signposts to helpful resources. All the resources on SORTED are free to access and use and are all linked to the LSC Strategy for Sustainable Development. We will be working with EAUC to build and improve SORTED so please check the resources out and use the feedback button on the site to feed in your ideas.
See SORTED here
The LSC is working towards its first sustainable development action plan - for 2007/08. The plan sets out priorities and actions for the current year and looks ahead to likely actions in future years. Read the plan
The LSC sponsors the Green Gown Awards and encourages FE providers to consider seeking recognition for their achievement. Read about the awards here
Volunteering England, in partnership with the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), has published the outcomes of research to assess the impact of volunteering on the FE sector. Read the report
Sustainable Development Archive
2007: The LSC offered all staff the opportunity to take part in an on-line survey of views on sustainable development. Read the report
2006: The LSC commissioned the Learning and Skills Development Agency to survey sustainable development practice in the FE system. Read the report on the LSN website http://www.lsneducation.org.uk/pubs/pages/062427.aspx
For more information or with any queries please contact mary.kelly@lsc.gov.uk
