THE boss of a £250million agency that spearheads training, skills and sixth form education in the county is stepping down.

Simon Norton, executive director of Kent and Medway Learning and Skills Council (LSCKM) for the past six years, is to become a consultant.

His departure, in August, coincides with a shakeup of the national Learning and Skills Council which aims to cut costs, improve consitency and effectiveness. Executive chiefs will be replaced by area directors.

Mr Norton, a former senior civil servant, helped launch the organisation, based in Kings Hill, West Malling, in 2000.

The LSC plans and funds post-16 education and training through colleges, school sixth forms, and work-based learning providers. In Kent and Medway it has an annual budget of almost £250million.

Mr Norton said: "I am proud of what our LSC has accomplished since its formation in late 2000. Working with providers and partners we have achieved above-trend increases in young people staying in learning post-16.

"At the same time we have made major advances in improving the skills of the adult workforce – for example through a highly effective local employer training pilot and skills brokerage service."