A project to deliver the qualification for faith leaders, workers and volunteers.
Start Date: 1 October 2008 - 31 March 2009
In 2007/08 NIACE was funded by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and the Department for Communities and Local Government to develop and pilot a qualification for faith leaders, workers and volunteers. Following successful consultation, development and piloting, the qualification is now to be delivered through the Faith Community Development project. In order to achieve positive outcomes for all stakeholders the project has convened an independent Advisory Group and is underpinned by robust core principles.
Following the completion of the first pilot phase of the Continuing Professional Development for Faith Leaders, Workers and Volunteers project and the work to complete the accreditation of a qualification for faith community development, NIACE was asked by Communities and Local Government (CLG) to set out a proposal for a programme of targeted pilots in the faith communities. These pilots will deliver the new Faith Community Development qualification in partnership with a variety of providers including Further Education colleges, local authorities, and community adult education providers and training organisations.
Accreditation of the course through the National Open College Network has demonstrated that it can offer a flexible range of qualifications which will allow future participants to undertake a shared learning experience and select from a range of available accredited outcomes.
The delivery model in the initial phase consisted of weekly sessions with some additional one-day weekend sessions. This reflects a standard form of delivery but was a barrier for some participants. This phase of the pilot seeks to offer a wider range of delivery models (modular sessions, blended learning or residentials) in order to evaluate impact on learner take-up and retention.
For full details about this project, follow the link to the porject's website below: