We provided a member of a team for research commissioned by FENTO (Further Education National Training Organisation) and HESDA (Higher Education Skills Development Agency) to undertake the preliminary scoping work for the development of a joint Sector Skills Council for higher and further education.  We were responsible for undertaking semi-structured interviews with a number of stakeholders in the sector in northern England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

Stakeholders interviewed included:

• Heads of Sixth Form Colleges
  
• Principals and Human Resources Directors of Further Education Colleges
  
• Vice Chancellors and Human Resources Directors of Universities

In January 2004, Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK) started its work and took over the work of three National Training Organisations (FENTO, PAULO and isNTO) and the NTO responsibilities of HESDA.