Path: Home > News Headlines > February 2005 |
Page last updated 03 October 2006 |
This is an old page so some of the links may no longer work!
Latest News: February 2005
|
|
|
Use menu to jump to full story:
|
______________________________
Government Disappoints on Tomlinson
Many adult learners will be disappointed that the Government has not taken the opportunity to adopt the central reforms that Mike Tomlinson recommended for the 14-19 phase of education, according to the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education.
Improving the 14-19 phase of education should mean that in future, adult learning will have less of a job to do in making good the weaknesses of the schooling system. But we fear that the Government’s proposals are not going to help bring about a culture of lifelong learning.
There are, of course, things to welcome – not least the recognition of the importance of strengthening literacy and numeracy skills for everybody.
However, NIACE believes that, yet again, Government has reinforced the academic/vocational divide in schooling which has bedevilled British education for too long. Wanting parity of esteem is not the same as creating the conditions to secure it.
NIACE strongly regrets that the chance has been missed to bring qualifications for adults and for young people completing their initial education together in an holistic framework.
Only one out of three jobs to be created in the next decade will be filled by young entrants to the labour market – the rest will be filled by adults delaying retirement, rejoining the workforce after a break or by migrants.
By neglecting to consider how arrangements for young people will sit alongside qualifications open to adults, the Government has not brought a coherent system any nearer.
 | Source: NIACE Press Release: "Government Disappoints on Tomlinson (PDF file) Released On 24/02/2005 |
______________________________
Financial Learning Consultation Provides Kick-Start for Adult Learners
Around 100 people from across the country attended a major consultation event, in London on Wednesday 23rd February, looking at adult financial literacy.
The event, at the Abbey Community Centre in Westminster, organised by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education and Prudential plc, brought together a vast range of people working to a diversity of targets across the sectors. Those attending included representatives from government, the Learning and Skills Council, the Basic Skills Unit, FE colleges, Local Authority Adult Learning, Citizens Advice, Services Against Financial Exclusion, the Financial Services Authority and a broad range of local voluntary groups.
One of the aims of the consultation was to discover the work already in progress which is reaching across society. Projects already having an influence includes those working with adults with learning difficulties, ex-offenders and those in prison, members of the armed forces, people in temporary accommodation, employees across a variety of workplaces and people in severe debt.
The delegates discussed the issues around the future funding of financial learning, the relevance to learners of studying accredited courses, whether or not it is possible to have a nationwide coherent strategy for financial learning and the difficulties of matching delivery to the demand.
Howard Gannaway, NIACE’s recently appointed Prudential Research Fellow in Financial Education, said:
“The consultation was invaluable - what we now have is an insight into what’s already happening with financial education in the field and what’s working and what isn’t. What was clearly illustrated was that the need for financial education crosses all barriers - this is something that doesn’t discriminate. The discussions were frank and lively and this has given us the best possible foundation with which to launch a clear agenda for adults. What we need to ensure now is that this information gets to the right people - to those who can make the necessary changes.”
“I was really struck by how enthusiastic everyone was and how impressed they were with the dynamic range of ideas coming from such a variety of different projects. The process that we have launched today will ultimately ensure a better deal for everyone, as people become more financially literate, the more they’ll be able to make informed choices as consumers and be better able to manage their finances”, he ended.
______________________________
First Major Consultation On Financial Learning for Adults
The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) and Prudential plc are hosting a major consultation event on financial education for adults, in Westminster on Wednesday 23rd February 2005. The National Consultation Event on Adult Financial Learning, is believed to be the first consultation of its kind to take place in the UK. With over 200 delegates in attendance, it will bring together representatives from all the major groups with an interest in adult financial learning, including the Basic Skills Agency, the Financial Services Authority, Citizens Advice and the Personal Finance Education Group.
The aim of the event - which is the brainchild of NIACE’s recently appointed Prudential Research Fellow in Financial Education, Howard Gannaway - is to marshal evidence of good practice in delivering financial education to adults whatever their financial circumstances or background. Whilst the understanding of financial education as a coherent concept is relatively well developed, much less is known about actual practice in the field. This event marks the beginning of a process to fill in some of the knowledge gaps and kickstart a national debate on the subject.
Howard Gannaway said:
“This will be a groundbreaking event. There has never been a gathering of this sort before and the outcomes from the day could make a real difference to people’s everyday lives. With personal debt at record levels and continuing confusion over pensions, the need for financial learning for adults has never been more pressing. This is something that needs a cautious, yet enthusiastic approach and the volume of interest that the event has generated from across the financial world proves how worthwhile this consultation is.”
Liza Vizard, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Prudential, said:
“This event will be key in creating a dialogue between the different parties with an interest in adult financial learning, which in turn will be hugely advantageous to the groups that we are aiming to reach. We are delighted to sponsor Howard Gannaway who is playing such a vital role in this event and in the broader financial education programme at NIACE.”
| Source: NIACE Press Release: "First Major Consultation On Financial Learning for Adults (PDF file) Released On 17/02/2005 |
______________________________
FE Learning works
NIACE is running an important conference: FE Learning Works in Coventry on March 15.
This is a crucial time for FE, with the Foster Review taking place, two White Papers imminent, a General Election expected – and a tough spending round already evident.
The main speakers at the March 15 Conference are: David Cragg, Regional Director for the West Midlands LSC and a key LSC strategist; Jackie Fisher, Principal of Newcastle College; Mark Dawe, Deputy Director for FE Strategy at DfES; Donald Rae, member of the Foster Bureaucracy Review Group and Assistant Chief Education Officer (Lifelong Learning) Derbyshire County Council.
There are five workshops, all highly relevant to current policy issues, all led by experts.
This is a chance to contribute to national debate. FE (and AE) need to make their case, as strongly as possible. Come and have your say.
Click here for full details about the conference
______________________________
Tackle the challenge of the rapidly ageing population NIACE urges
Over the next decade there will only be enough young people to fill just one in three of all new and replacement jobs. A new policy discussion paper from the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) argues that a fresh approach is needed from policy makers, educational providers and workplaces to cope with the implications of a rapidly ageing population.
The paper, Demography and Older Learners, edited by Alan Tuckett and Alec McAulay, with contributions from Stephen McNair, Tom Schuller, Jim Soulsby and Judith Summers, discusses how two out of every three jobs will have to be drawn from an increase in the numbers of women in the workforce, further net in-migration and predominantly older people returning to work or staying in employment longer than they had expected to.
While there is a welcome Government focus on upping the quality of life for older people, which is beginning to include the place of education in helping to secure that, the paper illustrates how more enlightened policies for today's older people are not in themselves sufficient to cope with the rapidly changing, but geographically diverse, demographic structure of this country.
Alan Tuckett, Director of NIACE, said:
“An education system that is primarily focussed on young people has set itself an enormous challenge. What has become blatantly clear is the need to pay attention to older people, as these are the adults who will fill two out of every three jobs over the next ten years. For work, and for national and individual economic benefits, for an enriched life and for the good of your health, learning offers benefits in older life. All of us can look forward to extended lives after work where we shall want to live stimulating lives. But that case needs to be made powerfully, and in ways that connect with the lives of older people in Britain.”
Judith Summers, co-author of Demography and Older Learners, said:
“The Government's skills strategy simply does not reflect the realities for older adults. If we are to respond to these, there's a vital need to support the many local organisations, both statutory and voluntary, who are working successfully with older adults - including the most marginalised groups - and to spread their experience to others.”
| Source: NIACE Press Release: "Tackle the challenge of the rapidly ageing population NIACE urges" (PDF file) Released On 14/02/2005 |
| Demography and Older Learners is edited by Alan Tuckett and Alec McAulay, with contributions from Stephen McNair, Tom Schuller, Jim Soulsby and Judith Summers, and is published by NIACE – priced at £10.95 - ISBN 1 86201 240 7. It can be purchased via NIACE's online book shop. |
______________________________
Wireless Outreach Networks (WON) Project
The results of the first three project monitoring surveys are now available to download from the WON project webpage.
The surveys reveal how the project has reached out to groups of socially disadvantaged learners in community settings and how these learners have benefited from using the wireless laptop equipment.
WON Monitoring Surveys can be downloaded here
______________________________
Critical friends sign historic compact
Ivan Lewis, minister for adult skills, has signed the first ever Department for Education and Skills (DfES) compact to be made with a voluntary organisation. The compact has been made with the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE).
At a meeting at the DfES in London, Nick Stuart, Chair of NIACE’s Board of Trustees, who signed for NIACE said, “This marks an important milestone for NIACE as a critical friend of Government and offers a model for other voluntary sector bodies to consider their relationship with Government.”
Compacts were established to strengthen relationships and re-balance risks between government and voluntary sector partners, following a Treasury cross-cutting review which found that voluntary sector agencies bore too high a proportion of the risk in their work with national and local government.
The agreement provides for three years funding arrangements for accountability and efficiency. However, its provision to recognise NIACE’s role as ‘critical friend’ to government are ground breaking:
Alan Tuckett, NIACE Director said:
“The Compact provides a measure of stability for NIACE, and a clear framework preserving its independence, for its partnership work with Government and in making the case for adult learners robustly.”
| Source: NIACE Press Release: "Critical friends sign historic compact" (PDF file) Released On 31/01/2005 |
______________________________
NIACE Requires Trainers
Following the successful rollout of the first phase of the E-Guides programme as part of the extension of the National Learning Network to Adult and Community Learning, NIACE seeks to expand its trainer pool for the second phase of the programme delivery.
The E-Guides programme has been developed to support Adult Community Leaning Staff in developing the use of e-learning across the curriculum. The programme aims to increase the use of e-learning in adult and community learning through developing the skills and knowledge of E-Guides to support colleagues from all subjects in their use of technology in teaching and learning.
Applicants must have at least three years experience of working in post 16 sector (preferably in adult and community education), experience of using technology in teaching and learning, training the trainers qualification and/or experience of teacher or staff training, excellent interpersonal skills, and can be available to deliver a minimum of 5, 3 day courses between April 2005 and September 2005.
Closing date: Monday 21st February 2005
Click here for further details on how to apply.
______________________________
Workers learn more in the workplace than on training courses, Research Finds
Despite the emphasis placed on training and qualifications by government, newly published research by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) suggests that these forms of study are not rated so highly as on-the-job learning by employees wanting to improve their performance at work.
The research, Better Learning, Better Performance, was carried out by NIACE in association with researchers from the University of Leicester. It discusses how activities more closely associated with the workplace – such as doing the job, being shown techniques by colleagues, engaging in self-reflection and active observation – can be of more help to employees in raising their performance than attending training courses or acquiring qualifications.
One in four employees reported that training courses were of little or no value in improving work performance and around one in three thought that studying for qualifications had not helped them at work. By comparison, over half thought that learning by doing was the most effective means of improving work performance, with 90% agreeing that they had picked up most of their skills through on-the-job experience. Crucially, advice, understanding, coaching and counselling from line managers emerge as keys to the development of effective and productive staff.
Professor Alan Felstead, co-author of the report said:
“The results suggest that the workplace – and its everyday activities - provides the most highly prized sources of learning for employees. Going on training courses and getting qualifications lay the foundations for initial competence at work, but improved performance is more reliant on doing the job and learning from others”.
He continued:
“The government has put a great deal of investment in raising training and increasing the qualifications stock of the UK workforce in a bid to close the productivity gap with competitor nations. While this is necessary, the results of the NIACE survey suggest that the most effective route to enhanced performance lies in improved relations within the workplace.”
Anne Hansen, Development Officer for Workplace Learning at NIACE, said:
“Government intervention in training appears to be going along the right lines according to this survey. The emphasis now is on workplace demand for relevant learning and this is supported by employees as a means of helping them do their jobs better. However what is really useful about this report is the importance workers attach to their relationship with their managers. It shows that supportive managers who spend time advising and coaching their staff ensure that their employees are more effective than when management is more directive and controlling.”
| Source: NIACE Press Release: "Workers learn more in the workplace than on training courses, Research Finds" (PDF file) Released On 04/02/2005 |
| Better Learning, Better Performance is written by Professor Alan Felstead, Dr Alison Fuller, Professor Lorna Unwin, Professor David Ashton, Dr Peter Butler and Dr Tracey Lee, and is published by NIACE – Priced at £12.95 - ISBN 1 86201 230 X. It can be purchased via NIACE's online book shop. |
______________________________
Hammersmith & Fulham Prospectus Wins Award
Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s adult education service has won the annual Sign Up Now Prospectus Competition, organised by NIACE. Entries were received from across the whole raft of post-16 learning organisations - from universities to community and voluntary sector groups – each hoping to win £500 worth of NIACE resources.
Rachel Thomson, Senior Campaigns Officer at NIACE and one of the judges, said:
“The Sign Up Now Prospectus Competition - supported by the European Social Fund and the Department for Education and Skills - is a means of rewarding providers for the clarity, appropriateness and usefulness of their pre-enrolment literature. The materials produced by Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s adult education service to promote their courses this year are outstanding - informative, user-friendly and with excellent design. The judges had a tough job - but Hammersmith & Fulham are worthy winners and we hope their success will lead to more and different adults learning in the borough.”
Elaine Lewis, marketing co-ordinator for Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s adult education service, said:
“This is the first course guide I have produced for Hammersmith & Fulham and I have enjoyed being able to respond to what our students told us they needed. Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s adult education service has been fantastic to work with and I am delighted we have won first prize from NIACE.”
Cllr David Williams, Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s deputy for education, said:
“The guide is the shop window for our exciting range of courses and we have taken great care to make it as interesting and accessible as possible. Credit must go to our marketing co-ordinator, Elaine Lewis, and her head of service, Tony Woodward, for this. We fully support adult education – once regarded as the poor cousin – as it provides so many opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds, sometimes leading to a career change.”
He added, “We are working hard to increase participation in adult education in the borough and this award will encourage us to be even more creative and dynamic.”
Alongside the success of Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s adult education service, the prospectuses of Hadlow College in Tonbridge, Kent, Goldsmiths College at the University of London and Southend Adult Community College were all highly commended by the judges.
Paul Hannan, Acting Principal of Hadlow College, said:
“This is fantastic news for the college and its learners. The new Prospectus was designed to portray the range and mix of exciting courses that we have to offer for all types of people across the community. Applications for courses so far have doubled this year, which is real evidence that our marketing communications strategies are working extremely well.”
Rachel Ellis-Jones, Vice Principal, of Hadlow College, said:
“We are very pleased with the new prospectus. We wanted to portray Hadlow as a positively inclusive, dedicated and fun learning community. We believe our new prospectus has done this. It has brought the land-based studies image up to date and will hopefully appeal to new audiences.”
Dr Timothy Lawson, from Communications and Publicity at Goldsmiths College, said:
“We are delighted to have this recognition from NIACE. Goldsmiths is proud of the diversity of its student body, and we strive to ensure that our recruitment publications reflect this”.
Jill Warnes, Principal of Southend Adult Community College, said:
“It's fantastic news about our commendation, as we work incredibly hard to make our prospectus appeal across the local community. We want it to reflect the warm and inclusive nature of the College, and really encourage people to take that important first step and pick up the phone or drop in to see a student advisor. We work in partnership with libraries and supermarkets to ensure it's widely available and that as many people as possible know about the learning and training opportunities the adult college provides.”
| Source: NIACE Press Release: "Hammersmith & Fulham Prospectus Wins Award" (PDF file) Released On 26/01/2005 |
______________________________
Who cares about adult learning?
The NIACE Committee of Enquiry into adult learning in Further Education has commenced its work. Members heard two outstanding contributions to the debate from David Sherlock, Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI) Chief Inspector, and Sarah Farley, Principal of Darlington College, and engaged in a wide-ranging discussion of the key issues facing adult learning. In the words of Chris Hughes who is chairing the Committee, this Enquiry is both timely and necessary.
Next to give evidence will be John Brennan from the Association of Colleges (AoC), and Adrian Perry, distinguished former Principal. The Committee will submit an interim report to the Foster Review of FE in March, and publish its full findings in July.
Colin Flint, convenor, wants to hear evidence from all colleges and he can be contacted on colin.flint@niace.org.uk.
______________________________
Influencing Public Policy / Advocacy
Conferences & Training Courses Section:
Publications Section:
Campaigns & Promotions
Projects / Research
Information Services
Miscellaneous
|
________________________________
| Archives |