Catalogue description National Advisory Council on Education for Industry and Commerce: Agenda, Minutes and Papers

Following the recommendation made by the Percy Report on Higher Technological Education, the National Advisory Council on Education for Industry and Commerce (NACEIC) was set up in 1948, holding its first meeting in June of that year.

The first chairman was Sir Ronald, later 1st Baron Weeks; the membership included representatives of the Regional Councils, the Regional Academic Boards, universities and colleges of further education, employers and employees.

The functions of the council were to keep under continuous review and to advise the Minister of Education on the national policy necessary for the full development of education in relation to industry and commerce including training for management and the allied professions within the field of further education.

Areas identified for special emphasis included planning of new colleges, the expansion of existing facilities, the methods of examination and certification of studies, and the provision of scholarships and awards. It was also to maintain contacts with industry and commerce, and to arrange consultation with the University Grants Committee and other appropriate bodies concerning matters relating to education of university standard.

To carry out these functions it was recognised early on that it would be necessary to set up sub-committees and working parties and a lot of the work of the council was carried out through such bodies.

Both the council and its sub-committees reported to the Minister for Education, later the Secretary of State for Education.

The Percy Report also recommended that regional councils and academic boards should be set up to monitor developments in further education at a regional level. Between 1945 and 1947 ten of these councils had been set up.

The council was originally constituted for recurring three year periods until 1977 when some of its functions were replaced by the Business and Technician Education Council.