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Learning Champions
A Vital Link
| Date: | Wednesday 18 June 2008 |
| Venue: | Abbey Centre, 34 Great Smith Street, Westminster, London SW1P 3BU |
| Ref: | C1704 |
| Fee: | £50 (includes lunch, tea/coffee and a copy of
the report titled Learning Champions: A Vital Link. Non-refundable);
NB: NIACE does not charge VAT on conference and course fees |
[Background] [Outcomes] [Audience] [Programme]
Background
Increasingly we are realising the value of citizens participating not just in choosing or designing services, but in helping to deliver them. In Children’s Centres, Extended Primary Schools that are open from 8 till 6, and Safer Neighbourhood Police Teams, we are seeing the development of neighbourhood institutions that forge a different relationship with citizens, and enhanced roles for para-professionals and volunteers drawn from the local community.
David Miliband MP
Learning Champions - aka ambassadors / reps / advocates – are volunteers or paid employees whose job is to promote the benefits of learning to family, friends, workmates as well as perfect strangers, and to signpost them to suitable courses. In dozens of locations across the UK - in communities, colleges and workplaces - Learning Champions’ Schemes are showing the value of the local voices, rooted in experience that others can relate to, with a passion for learning as a means of transforming people’s lives.
Learning representatives in the workplace have generated enormous interest in learning, especially amongst low paid and part-time workers, a group who have often been the last to enjoy its benefits. In the community, Learning Champions and ambassadors have proved their ability to reach out to people who are otherwise immune to the charms of colleges and other learning providers. No wonder the Champion idea is being adopted in health, housing and many other fields.
All those involved with Learning Champions / Advocates / Ambassadors schemes know that Learning Champions make the difference:
 | by encouraging their neighbours, friends and workmates to take up learning and job opportunities |
| by acting as role models, showing that it is never too late to take up new skills and new career routes. |
A recent report by Martin Yarnit Associates for NIACE on behalf of The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) points to the strengths of these schemes but also indicates some challenges, including finding sustainable funding to replace fast disappearing support from Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities (NLDC) and The Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF). This ESF-funded conference will:
| focus on the practical ways that schemes are making a real difference to the life prospects of learners and the Learning Champions themselves |
| look at ways of strengthening and supporting schemes, including working through Local and Multi-Area Agreements. |
Conference participants will receive a copy of the report Learning Champions: A Vital Link which:
- identifies the main characteristics of existing Learning Champions’ Schemes in England
- sets out a typology for understanding the differences between schemes
- defines the contribution they make to achieving key government agendas
- proposes ways in which that contribution could be strengthened.
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Outcomes
A key outcome of the conference will be the sharing of ideas and strategies for improving Learning Champions’ Schemes. This will be used to lobby and campaign for more, different and better opportunities for Learning Champions’ Schemes.
The objectives are to:
| raise the profile of learning champions with LSPs, the LSC and RDAs |
| promote the exchange of effective practice |
| look at ways of improving Learning Champions’ Schemes |
| provide an opportunity for ministers to declare their undying support and to offer funding. |
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Audience
This ESF-funded event will be of particular interest to:
| Learning champions and scheme managers |
| Providers of learning opportunities |
| Policy makers and decision makers |
| Local Government Association, Local Strategic Partnerships, Regional Development Agencies |
| Funders of learning opportunities |
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Programme
| 09:30 | Arrival and registration (tea/coffee available) |
| 10:00 | Welcome and introduction to the
day Tom Schuller, Director of the Commission of Inquiry into the Future for Lifelong Learning |
| 10:10 | Two local approaches Nottingham - a city-wide scheme Patcee Francis, Community Engagement Manager, Enable Oxford - the power of community development Jim Barlow, Co-ordinator, Oxford Learning Communities |
| 11:10 | Tea/coffee break |
| 11:30 | Discussion groups 1) Supporting employability 2) Management, training and support 3) Working as part of Local Area Agreements 4) Working with refugees and migrants 5) Career progression 6) Working around schools |
| 12:30 | Lunch |
| 13:30 | Welcome back Sue Meyer, Deputy Director, NIACE |
| 13:35 | Learners as Agents for Change Titus Alexander, Head of Campaigning, Novas Scarman Group |
| 13:55 | Discussion groups - Three ways to improve Learning Champions’ Schemes |
| 14:55 | Headlines from the discussions |
| 15:00 | Tea/coffee break |
| 15:20 | Ministerial Address David Lammy MP, Minister for Skills (invited) |
| 15:50 | Conclusion and Closing Remarks |
| 16:00 | Close of conference (tea/coffee available) |
This programme is correct at the time of going to press. The organisers reserve the right to make changes to the published programme in the event of one or more of the advertised speakers being unable to attend. Delegates will have no claim against NIACE in respect of such changes.
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