A system to give students and employers clearer assessment of college and learning providers’ performance has been published by the government.

The system will be trialled using a balanced set of scorecard indicators to measure effectiveness and achievement.

It will further support the education sector in moving closer towards to self-regulation. It will be fully operational by summer 2008 and is being developed in consultation with the Learning Skills Councils, Department for Education & Skills and Ofsted.

The framework will provide a transparent basis for employer and learner choice that takes into account all the main aspects of college and provider activity.  It will also be a management tool for providers' self-improvement.

For the first time, seven key performance areas, including responsiveness to employers and financial health, will contribute to the providers' overall rating. Key areas have been grouped into three dimensions: effectiveness, responsiveness and finance.