BIS FE and Skills e-Newsletter

Audience: All

Over 150 top British employers have thrown their weight behind Backing Young Britain, a national campaign to create new work and training opportunities for thousands of young people during the recession.
Government and employers are pledging an extra 85,000 opportunities for young people. These range from Morrisons pledging new training for every one of its 36,000 employees under the age of 25, to Government providing help to get 45,000 young people into jobs in retail, tourism, leisure and hospitality.
Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson said:
"Today's package of support for young people is a win-win situation for everyone. The benefits will be felt by the person who gets a foot on the employment ladder, the business gets a new addition to the team, and the country as a whole. Work experience, offering internships to graduates and investing in skills and training are vital to equipping young people and businesses with the tools to come out of the downturn in a strong position."
To find out how colleges, providers and employers can get involved in the Backing Young Britain campaign, please visit the following links Click here to see how employers can join the campaign / Click here to see the support for young people

Audience: All

It’s official: Britain really has got talent thanks to an exceptionally skilled team of 26 young people who spent four days competing at the skills equivalent of the Olympics – the WorldSkills Competition in Calgary, Canada.
At the closing ceremony on 6 September 2009, it was announced that the UK had won an amazing three gold and six bronze medals at skills ranging from painting and decorating to floristry and autobody repair. The UK was also awarded 14 Medallions for Excellence given to competitors who achieve the world class standard.
Skills Minister Kevin Brennan, said: “I would like to congratulate each member of Team UK for the hard work and talent they displayed in Calgary. These inspiring young people have demonstrated to the rest of world just how able and highly skilled the UK is.”
Read more and see the full list of winners on the UK Skills website.

Audience: All

Students across England, Wales and Northern Ireland received their A level results on August 20.

Higher Education Minister David Lammy said:
“I want to congratulate the hundreds of thousands of students who have worked hard and got the grades they needed to go to university this year and with more than 370,000 students having their places confirmed, more students than ever before will be heading into higher education.
“The Government is committed to funding and growing higher education. This is why students this year are taking advantage of the record number of funded places on offer backed by a generous financial support package.
“Those students who don’t get the grades they need shouldn’t panic as there’s a broad range of options open to them including clearing, reapplying for next year or seeking work experience or training supported by our Backing Young Britain campaign.

Audience: All

Regional Development Agencies
A set of Frequently Asked Questions has been produced to clarify the relationship between the new Skills Funding Agency and Regional Development Agencies (RDAs). This follows the update in last month’s FE & Skills e-Newsletter, outlining the proposals to transfer the strategic skills function to RDAs. The question and answer sheet can be downloaded from the Skills Funding Agency Transition pages of the BIS website. Click here to view.  
Pre and Post-19 Landscape regional events
Nearly 350 people attended the regional events in July 2009. During the events, participants were encouraged to submit questions and comments via electronic tablets. The first set of Frequently Asked Questions is now available to download from the Skills Funding Agency Transition section of the BIS website Click here to view. Further questions were taken at the events, and responses are currently being drafted to be published as soon as possible.

The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) is a single regulatory framework for all vocational qualifications.
The introduction of the QCF means that training may be delivered as Units – bite-sized chunks of learning – and combined with others to build into full Vocational
Qualifications.
The greater flexibility of the QCF allows learners to take units at a pace which suits them. Flexible training also meets the immediate needs of employers and job seekers.
Progress in populating the QCF (as of August 2009)
• 191,921 publicly funded learner enrolments on the QCF as of May 2009 
• 27,482 learners enrolled in publicly funded Units
• 1,961 qualifications accredited
• 10,223 units accredited
A revised list of ineligible and eligible qualifications for QCF provision for 2009/10 has been published on the LSC website. 
 

Audience: FE college principals/governors, training providers, local authorities, voluntary providers and national partners/stakeholders

The National Learner Panel (NLP) is looking for new members. It needs enthusiastic and interested learners who want to be involved in giving their views on how Further Education works for those who study in it.
The NLP was established by the government to provide a learner perspective on further education policy. The panel has twenty members each year aged between 16 and 70+. Members are part-time volunteers undertaking a range of courses in further education. The panel is sponsored by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS).
The panel is currently recruiting to serve for a year from November 2009. LSIS is seeking to recruit a diverse group of learners in all types of learning and course level – and from all types of learning provider.
Please forward this information to any learners you know. Application forms are downloadable from the NLP website www.excellencegateway.org.uk/nlp. The application deadline for 2009-10 membership is Friday 23 October. For more information contact Sarah Tyler at nlp@shm-ltd.co.uk. or visit www.excellencegateway.org.uk/nlp . There is also information at www.direct.gov.uk/nationallearnerpanel .

Audience: All

The Functional Skills Support Programme (FSSP) is designed to prepare practitioners, leaders and managers to deliver functional skills, from developing applied learning to adopting a whole-organisational approach to functional skills implementation. FSSP is available free of charge to all schools and post-16 education and training centres and counts towards CPD. Support for schools is covered by National Strategies (NS) and support for the post-16 sector is offered by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS).
A dedicated FSSP website will be launched in September, providing a first point of contact for all functional skills support. The website will host online communities of practice, resources, and links to other related websites. Once available the FSSP website can be accessed via the following link: www.fssupport.org
Further sources of information about functional skills support are listed below:
Schools
http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/ 
Post -16 sector
The LSIS excellence gateway website:
http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/functionalskills
 

Audience: All

Foundation Learning is the name given to education provision and qualifications at Entry Level and Level 1 of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF).
LSIS is offering Foundation Learning support to colleges and learning providers delivering Foundation Learning, or those planning its implementation. Providers will have access to a range of support activities and resources helping them to design and deliver successful personalised learning programmes, tailored to the individual needs and aspirations of their learners.
The support includes a bespoke consultancy service to support action planning, a champions’ training programme, a range of flexible CPD activities, access to regional networks and resources, a dedicated website featuring discussion forums, a downloadable action planner and case studies. Funding for action research projects is also available.
Foundation Learning support is available to both managers and practitioners in colleges and learning providers. Full details about this extensive offer are available at www.excellencegateway.org.uk/flt. For more information call 0845 604 5321

Audience: All

2009/10 is a crucial year in developing Foundation Learning (FL) – the learning suite for 14-19s at entry level and level 1) as all areas should be gearing up for delivery by 2010/11. 16+ providers need to be part of this working with LAs, schools and others to provide a seamless offer and promote progression.
New guidance is summarised below:
• LSC/QCDA guidance on FL for 14-19s in 2009/10 – including a short, sharp overview. Click here to view
•DCSF guidance on LAs’ submissions to Gateway 4, due in November – including inputs expected on FL planning for 14-19s. Click here  to view
These underline that all areas are expected to deliver some FL provision on a 14-19 basis by 2010/11 (building on current 14-19 piloting in 22 areas and 16+ developmental delivery in most areas). With their 14-19 Partnerships, LAs will lead this process, using consortia arrangements where appropriate, and planning to expand delivery from 2010 ahead of Diploma/Apprenticeship entitlements and the RPA milestone in 2013.
Workforce support is available from LSIS at www.excellencegateway.org.uk/FLT including centre level support for 16+
For more information about the programme can be found at: www.excellencegateway.org.uk/FLT

Audience: all post-16 providers

Becta and LSIS are working in partnership to bring you the Leading innovation: embracing technology conference in Birmingham on 20 October 2009. Please note that this conference will now take place at the NEC, Birmingham.
This free one-day conference will provide a forum for leaders and managers in the further education and skills sector to understand and share the benefits of using technology within their organisations and help them to develop and implement an organisation-wide technology strategy.
David Collins, LSIS, Jane Williams, Becta, and Stuart Edwards, BIS, have now been confirmed as keynote speakers for this event along with an inspirational address by Russell Prue. Workshops will be led by colleagues from the sector, and exhibition space is available for sector partners.
Please contact Eleanor King, LSIS for further information (eleanor.king@lsis.org.uk) or register to attend here

Audience: All

The Adult Suitability Strand of the Functional Skills pilots began in February 2009 and is due to end in August 2010. The pilots are testing different approaches to ensure that Functional Skills qualifications are appropriate to meet the needs of adult learners in mainstream FE colleges, the workplace, prisons and adult and community learning settings.
Early feedback from participating centres has been positive and support for Functional Skills qualifications being a suitable replacement for Skills for Life appears to be fairly strong.
QCDA are looking for as many organisations as possible to be involved in the adult pilots, so if you are interested in joining please contact Terry Smith at QCDA (Terry.Smith@qcda.gov.uk), or contact one of the participating awarding organisations:
OCR: www.ocr.org.uk
Edexcel: www.edexcel.com
City and Guilds: www.cityandguilds.com
Ascentis: www.ocnw.com
EDI: www.ediplc.com
NOCN: www.nocn.org.uk
Further information about functional skills can be found on QCDA’s website at www.qcda.gov.uk/functionalskills.
 

Audience: All

The calculation method for learner responsive success rates is being changed for 08/09.
One of the main drivers for the change arises from the introduction of demand-led funding in 2008/09. A key element of the changes, which has an impact on success rates, is the definition of a ‘start date’ for learners for funding purposes.
For 2008/09 this means a change from the traditional approach based on specified census dates, to one based on the amount of time a learner must remain on programme.
Information about the change has been sent out to the sector, and careful consideration is being given to producing guidance for Ofsted inspectors and others, so that they take the change in methodology into account when assessing performance. This will assist with the process of monitoring performance over time and ensure that informed judgements are made on a ‘like for like’ basis.
To find out more visit: http://www.theia.org.uk/harmonisingsuccessrates/methodologies/
Or contact Anne Fessi. Anne.fessi@theia.org.uk 024 7682 3325

Audience: All

Colleges and Providers have been responsible for developing and implementing Learner Involvement Strategies (LIS) since Oct 2007. The LSC recently published an evaluation of the impact of LIS on learners’ experience and success across the sector.
The evaluation includes examples of good practice and demonstrates the benefits of involving learners in developing policy, processes and systems within colleges and providers. Benefits can be evidenced by increased satisfaction, achievement and success as well as improving the learning experience and overall achievement within the sector. LSIS has also produced complementary guidance for WBL and ACL providers. This provides a useful starting point to assist staff in developing the empowerment of learners, by including them in the process of being engaged and acting as co-constructors of the learning environment.
LSC Evaluation on the Impact of the Learner Involvement Strategy is available at http://research.lsc.gov.uk/evaluation/published/.
LSIS guidance for WBL providers is available at http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=240347 
LSIS guidance for and ACL Providers is available at http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=228873
Contact Sue Ruck for more information. Tel 0114 259 3316 or email sue.ruck@bis.gsi.gov.uk

Audience: All

QCF champions’ training programme
The Learning and Skills Improvement Service has launched the QCF champions' training programme to help staff in colleges and learning providers to get ready for the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). The three day training programme is aimed at those who will lead the implementation of the QCF within their organisation and will take place in various locations from October 2009 to March 2010. Champions will develop an implementation plan for the QCF as an integral part of their training and work collaboratively to access the most up-to-date thinking on QCF implementation and resources to support organisational implementation. To become a champion, you will need the support of a senior manager. To find out more, click here to visit the provider support website or contact the programme helpline on 0845 609 9001 or e-mail: qcfprovidersupport@nordanglia.com

QCF readiness conferences for providers
Dates for two pan-regional conferences aimed at staff with strategic responsibility for QCF implementation within provider organisations have been announced. Taking place on 19 October at the Radisson Edwardian Manchester Hotel and 21 October at the Radisson Edwardian Bloomsbury Street Hotel in London, the events are designed to equip providers with the latest information on QCF implementation, including the QCDA-led readiness programme, as well as the support available from the Learning and Skills Improvement Service and through partner organisations such as the Association of Colleges and the Association of Learning Providers.Places are limited so early booking is advised. To secure your place now, click here to visit the provider support website . For more information contact the programme helpline on 0845 609 9001 or e-mail: qcfprovidersupport@nordanglia.com

Audience: All

As part of our ongoing work to gauge the views of IfL members, who are teachers, trainers, tutors and assessors in the FE and skills sector, we are conducting our second annual survey. Members' responses will help us decide how to improve our services, develop our membership benefits, refine our communications with members and improve the ways we work together.
Responses to our annual survey provide invaluable evidence to shape our policy and advisory work for teachers, trainers and tutors, and for raising their profile as practitioners in the FE and skills sector.
The short survey is available online to IfL members until 17.00 on Friday 18 September 2009, and the findings will be shared in the autumn. Visit www.ifl.ac.uk/membersurvey2009 to take part in the survey.
For further details visit the main website: www.ifl.ac.uk, CPD and self-declaration: http://www.ifl.ac.uk/cpd. For enquiries call 0844 815 3202 or email enquiries@ifl.ac.uk
 

Audience: All

The FE and Training Bureaucracy Reduction Group (BRG) has published its annual report on progress on reducing bureaucracy over the past year. Key areas under the spotlight were: Framework for Excellence; Train to Gain; Qualifications and Credit Framework; Apprenticeships; Learner Support; and the development of the Skills Funding Agency and the transfer of funding to Local Authorities. This report and other documents received by the BRG as part of its scrutiny can be found on the BRG web-site www.fe-brg.org.uk
The BRG would particularly welcome issues and comments on what more can be done to reduce burdens on colleges and providers.
The Chair of the Group, Tony Craven, has recorded his thanks to those from the sector who have given their time to this important role. He would be pleased to hear from anyone wishing to contribute to the work of the group. They should contact Liz McCann at Elizabeth.mccann@lsc.gov.uk

Audience: All

A photo-journalism lecturer, a fire station union learning representative and a college chief executive are among those who have been short-listed for the 2009 LSIS STAR Awards for their outstanding contributions to learning and skills. The short-listed nominees come from a variety of provider types and cover a range of skill levels and jobs, from the most junior to the most senior.
Dr David Collins, chief executive of the Learning and Skills Improvement Service said:
"I am delighted that the people short-listed for the STAR Awards will have the national spotlight shining on them. They are providing the skills that our learners need to help them achieve their full potential. I am also pleased the judges found that the standard and quality is higher than ever. I warmly congratulate all of them and look forward to meeting them on 26 November when the winners are announced."
See the short-list at: http://starawards.excellencegateway.org.uk/theshortlist/index.html
For further details visit http://starawards.excellencegateway.org.uk/ or contact Hayley Nicoll hayley.nicoll@lsisexcellenceteam.com, 02476 792464
 

Audience: All

To all FE Colleges, especially student service managers and tutorial curriculum managers, The Government Office for Science Foresight programme recently published a set of educational materials for 14-19 year olds based on its report 'Tackling Obesities; Future Choices'.
The Department of Health led Healthy FE Team would like to invite you to take part in a consultation to explore the possibility of tailoring these materials for the FE sector as well as finding out existing materials used by FE to discuss obesity in tutorials. Please click here for further information.
If you are interested in participating then please contact Ranjan Sen on Ranjan.Sen@dh.gsi.gov.uk
 

Audience: All

Fairbridge Training is the external training division of leading youth charity Fairbridge. Fairbridge has been supporting vulnerable young adults for 25 years, giving them the skills, motivation and self-esteem they need to turn their lives around. Fairbridge Training shares this experience through its training. Translating tried and tested theories into refreshing training that is practical, solution-focused and immediately useful. Once again Fairbridge Training will be delivering the established Working More Effectively with Young People three-day course in September. This is a unique opportunity for staff to participate in training that builds confidence and skills that actively help engage young people in the learning and development process. For more information about this training and for booking details please contact Fairbridge Training on 0207 902 1635 or visit www.fairbridgetraining.co.uk. For further information contact: Annalisa Monzione Marketing Manager 0207 902 1248 Annalisa.monzione@fairbridge.org.uk