Relatively, yes! Talk to any MSA and they would say it was, relative to the adult skills system before, and relative to other skills and employment policy areas
I'm a bit more sceptical, but can understand the logic of it. I am unpersuaded of the need to devolve 16 - 19 education which could fragment the national school system, exacerbate disparities in attainment and lead to a load of parochial qualifications and qualification routes of dubious merit.
The technical education announcements early this week are a worrying sign that we are going down the path of "local qualifications for local people", which if it had existed in the '70s would have led to kids in mining areas being funnelled into jobs that would evaporate a short while later.
I agree the 16-19 stuff is pretty knotty, and devo could mean many different things in that space. Your example would be bad, a strategic/accountable mayoral role could simplify things a lot. Waiting for the details!
That's fair. I am a bit sensitive about this because I find the framing a bit off-putting, but in principle strategic authorities could have a positive impact. I'd just like there to be a genuine partnership between the different tiers of government rather than exclusive domains existing.
