Financial Literacy for Vocational Learners in FE - York College

1 October 2005 - 31 December 2006

York College is a medium sized General College of Further Education with around 7,000 learners. In October 2005 the Learning Development Unit at York College commenced their project into the experience of teaching financial literacy in a College of Further Education and was originally funded until March 2006 but was extended through until December 2006. The project up until March 2006 became Phase 1 and the extension of the project became Phase 2.

Throughout the project, and from the initial research, a number of key issues and area's were identified and addressed such as, how to calculate Income tax, credit cards, understanding pay slips, how to budget and manage money, how to manage and deal with debt and how to use banks accounts.

Overall, the project was developed and delivered to NVQ Level 1 and 2 learners. Firstly six one hour sessions to vocational learners on an NVQ level 2 Business administration course in a classroom setting, utilising both paper based materials and ILT' s were piloted, and the same materials were developed for an interactive course available online across the College internet. These sessions were accessed in a workshop setting by a group of learners from NVQ level 3 Hair and Beauty Therapy and by some volunteer learners from their home PCs.

Phase 2 delivered sessions were in the Hair and Beauty curriculum area to 19 learners on NVQ level 2 Beauty Therapy as well as in Construction curriculum area to 12 learners on NVQ level 2 Decorative Arts. York College also delivered one of these same sessions to a group of 8 learners on NVQ level 3 Decorative Arts.