Latest News: November 2006

Impact of cuts in adult education - findings published by NIACE

NIACE today (Thursday 30th November 2006) publishes evidence of the widespread concern across the country that cuts in adult education diminish economic opportunity and impoverish the lives of thousands of people, particularly pensioners.

The report – The case for adult learning: access all areas - has been compiled from evidence gathered over the past 6 months through NIACE’s Big Conversation. Adult learners, providers and organisations submitted evidence; attended events and debates; and contacted the media and MPs to voice their overwhelming concerns for the future of adult learning.

The case for adult learning: access all areas describes the purpose, roll-out and impact of the Big Conversation; provides a snapshot of local news coverage about the cuts in adult learning provision; offers a flavour of the responses received from learners and practitioners on a range of topics; cites an array of evidence received at NIACE’s Big Conversation Enquiry; and concludes with NIACE’s view and recommendations.

Alan Tuckett, Director of NIACE, said:

“A wider range of high-quality learning opportunities will help to transform the lives of adults, their families, neighbourhoods and communities, as well as society as a whole. However, this report illustrates, that there is a distinct risk – through the narrowing of priorities - of limiting access to the wider range of opportunities to those with the deepest pockets. The evidence of NIACE’s Big Conversation is that we need more, not less, adult learning. To secure it will mean increased levels of investment from government, employers and from learners who can afford to pay more.”

He concluded:

“Overall, there are many challenges but what is clear is that NIACE’s Big Conversation alone cannot score a quick win against real cuts. What needs to happen now is the process of winning hearts and minds to better appreciate the public value of a wide range of lifelong learning opportunities for all. Otherwise there is the very real danger of the destruction of a much-valued and essential public service.”

Source: NIACE Press Release: "Impact of cuts in adult education - findings published by NIACE" Released On 30/11/2006

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Inspirational learners wanted for national awards

The search for exceptional and inspirational adult learners to receive a national award during the UK’s largest festival of learning has started. As part of Adult Learners’ Week, NIACE recognises learners – young and old and in all their diversity – for the remarkable achievements they have made through learning.

Each year NIACE receives over 1000 nominations about individuals, families and groups of learners whose lives have been transformed because of learning. Each of learners’ stories show how learning as an adult can create confidence, inspire new careers and change lives for the better.

David Haigh, from Cumbria, a previous Adult Learners’ Week Award winner, said:

“Since winning the award life has totally changed for me in ways I never imagined. At the time I won the award I didn't yet understand the potential of what I was getting into. Before I had zero self confidence. My life had hit a crunch point and I was basically working on the premise that being dead by 30 was pretty much the outcome of my sad and miserable life. No friends and a family that had well and truly disowned me and jail was now just a footstep away.”

He continued:

“It is impossible to explain the full implications that learning has on my life. In many ways learning is my life. I look at problems as new opportunities to gain fresh understanding and knowledge. I rarely fail and when I do I merely go back learn from my mistakes and succeed. I work in conjunction with several charities, one of which I am a board director. I am in the process of setting up a business in order to train and assist ex offenders and the disadvantaged get access to services and useful courses and resources. In general I lead an extremely successful and rewarding life that benefits others as well as myself.”

Rachel Thomson, Senior Campaigns Officer at NIACE, said:

“As David and many thousands of other people prove every year – learning changes lives for the better. We want to hear the stories of people who – through determination, commitment and dedication – have transformed their lives through learning. Whether they’ve changed careers, started a new business, become happier and more fulfilled individuals or great role models for their family and friends – we want to hear about their learning journeys. For more information about nominating inspirational learners either check out the link below, email - alw@niace.org.uk or phone the NIACE Campaigns Team on 0116 204 4200.”

> Download a nomination form here.

Source: NIACE Press Release: "Inspirational Learners Wanted For National Awards" Released On 27/11/2006

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The Further Education & Training Bill: a curate’s egg? asks NIACE

NIACE has given a cautious welcome to the Further Education and Training Bill published on Tuesday 21 November, but regrets the missed opportunity to rebalance funding in the sector better to meet the needs of the country. NIACE welcomes, however, the provision in the Bill to strengthen the voice of learners in the governance of institutions in the sector. As part of this, NIACE is pleased with the requirement for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) nationally to consult learners as well as employers on matters affecting them. NIACE trusts that such consultation will help to re-balance the advice available to government and the Learning and Skills Council, to ensure that adult learners’ interests are better reflected in public policy.

Alan Tuckett, Director of NIACE, said:

“The FE Bill published today brings important improvements for adult learning – particularly with the strengthening of learner voices in policy making. We were particularly pleased that Bill Rammell backed this element of the legislation with the launch of a national learners’ panel.”

“But overall the Bill is a missed opportunity to re-balance the law in the light of demographic change. Two in three of the jobs of the next 10 years must be filled by adults, since there are not enough young people to fill them. Yet the law is still overwhelmingly focused on the needs of 14 – 19 year-olds. The result of this is up to a million adults losing their places over just three years. NIACE believes we need a further education system where adults and young people alike can expect their learning needs to be met. Despite its positive measures, this Bill falls short of that.”

> Further information on the Further Education and Training Bill can be found here (external link)

Source: NIACE Press Release: "The Further Education & Training Bill: a curate’s egg? asks NIACE" Released On 22/11/2006

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ICAE’s World Assembly is open to all ICAE members, partners, friends as well as to all those networks aligned closely with the adult education and learning movements promoting Adults’ Right to Learn.

The primary focus of this Assembly will be to provide a collective space to strongly affirm the right of all to learn throughout life and to assert the immense value of adult education and learning in enabling citizens to fight poverty, inequality, discrimination and the exclusion of a big part of humanity. This Assembly has been organised alongside the World Social Forum 2007: to demonstrate the ICAE's solidarity with other social movements for change and to underscore the strategic importance of adult education in making another world possible.

The years since the last Assembly, in 2001, have clearly shown the interconnectedness between Adult Education / Adult Learning and various efforts from other civil society networks. The Assembly will give us the opportunity to strengthen this involvement while at the same time analyzing and improving the particular contributions that Adult Education / Adult Learning can make on the basis of their specificities and particular knowledge

> Further Information on the World Assembly can be found here (external link).

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The proposal, announced today in the Queen’s speech, that FE Colleges are to be awarded powers to issue their own degrees has been enthusiastically welcomed by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE).

Alan Tuckett, Director of NIACE, said:

“We think this is brilliant news on two counts. Firstly, because at a stroke it shows in a practical way the Government does value colleges. And secondly it’s the first sensible, tangible step towards an articulated tertiary system of education for the UK which is exactly what adults need.”

He continued:

“The next steps we’re now looking for are a coherent credit framework which underpins qualifications and an accelerated foundation learning tier with proper respect for the complexity of routes that adults take in achieving their goals.”

Source: NIACE Press Release: "Degree awarding powers for colleges welcomed by NIACE" Released On 15/11/2006

Rural communities are experiencing change on an unprecedented scale. The impacts of demographic, economic and social movements which are affecting the nation as a whole are being felt earlier, and more acutely, in rural areas. A conference addressing these challenges and the positive contribution adult learning can make to resolve them is being held by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) in Sheffield on Wednesday.

The Adult Learning in Rural Communities Conference – to be held at the Megacentre in Sheffield on Wednesday 15th November 2006 – will explore how a balance can be achieved between the demands of rural economic development, social inclusion and environmental protection.

Professor Bill Jones, NIACE Development Officer for Higher Education, said:

“Many rural areas have a higher age profile, and a low skill/low pay culture, as young people leave for the opportunities of the urban world. Migration to the countryside is growing – by city workers, retired professionals, and by overseas workers. Restructuring of the rural economy is having profound social and environmental consequences and provision of key services is increasingly patchy, as providers withdraw from rural locations.”

He continued:

“A significant challenge is that rural policy ignores learning and education policy ignores rurality. However adult learning does have an important role to play in helping to equip rural communities, employers and individuals to meet the challenges of change in effective, sustainable and creative ways. This conference will focus on the distinctive ways in which adult learning and skills development will need to be addressed in rural areas. It will disseminate the findings of a range of innovative research and development projects to enable delegates to reflect upon and develop their own practice. This conference should make an important and distinctive contribution to the escalating debate about the ‘state of the countryside’.”

Source: NIACE Press Release: "Learning, Employment and Rural Needs" Released On 13/11/2006

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Following Bill Rammell's recent support for Learning for Living and Work - the new Learning and Skills Council (LSC) strategy for disabled learners NIACE is encouraged to hear that the LSC is expected to increase its investment in provision for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

Over the past few months NIACE has heard of many cases of learners having their provision cut, often at very short notice and not for satisfactory reasons. NIACE is concerned that some of the most vulnerable and excluded members of our society are being discriminated against and face further isolation through cuts in learning provision, which is often a lifeline for people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

NIACE is pleased to be associated with the Strategy launched in October by the LSC and particularly the statement that, 'Securing and funding appropriate high-quality learning provision for learners of all ages with learning difficulties and/or disabilities remains a consistent aim and priority' (#36).

NIACE also notes the impressive national strategy on learners with mental health difficulties already launched by the LSC in August this year, but little of it is known outside specialist areas.

Peter Lavender, Deputy Director at NIACE said:

“This is an important example of Government support for this work. Communicating the LSC's priorities in the face of cuts and the pressures to focus on the youngest learners in the sector is a vital task for the Council and the Government, and one which is vital to get right.”

Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State for Lifelong Learning and Further and Higher Education was speaking at the annual conference on post-16 learning, run by Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities held on Wednesday 8th November 2006.

Source: NIACE Press Release: "Encouraging Words For Disabled Learners" Released On 13/11/2006

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Government responds to NIACE report on ESOL

NIACE is pleased that the Government has agreed to adopt two-thirds of the recommendations made in the recent report More than a language… which laid out 39 recommendations to ensure more and better provision of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).

However NIACE is disappointed that the remaining recommendations have not been adopted as they include those of greatest impact.

In particular while NIACE recommend that adults who can afford to pay should pay, our inquiry concluded that everyone needs an entitlement to free provision of ESOL up to level 1.

The Government has decided to charge fees for all ESOL learners not on benefit, or income support. In our view, whilst making a welcome commitment to prioritising those most in need, this decision risks further punishing poorer people in employment.

NIACE is also concerned about the proposal to cut all provision for asylum seekers.

Here NIACE argues that in cases where the Home Office fails to process a decision within eight weeks, they should pay for ESOL provision until a final decision is made.

research evidence suggests that languages are more easily learned the sooner instruction starts after arrival.

For further information on More than a language… and the work of the NIACE-led Committee of Enquiry into ESOL please see the related links below.

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New DVD hopes to break family finance taboo

The record levels of personal debt coupled with increasing numbers of people losing control over their cash-flow is often because people find it difficult to discuss the state of their - and their family’s - finances. To encourage people to break this taboo and discuss their finances in an open and honest way a DVD – A Load of Dosh - is being launched this afternoon by NIACE.

A Load of Dosh features families discussing their attitudes to money and savings; children talking about the importance that they think money will have when they are older; parents talking about how they treat the subject of money within the family and
the new Child Trust Fund.

Howard Gannaway, Research Fellow in Financial Education at NIACE, said:

“The need for financial education is of paramount importance. The introduction of the Child Trust Fund was always going to place the issues of family money and savings fairly and squarely in front of all families. Many families had not addressed these subjects before. Evidence from practitioners also suggests that many parents are uneasy or even reluctant to bring family finance into the learning arena due to attitudes about privacy that are often tied up with lack of knowledge and guilt.”

He continued: “We decided that we should make a film that family learning practitioners could use as an icebreaker and incentive to tackle questions around personal finance. The parents and their children who appear in this film speak very candidly. The result is an insight that should enable most people to discover that they are not alone in whatever they perceive as their state of knowledge or capability about personal finance.”

He ended: “The film also raises important issues and questions about how families handle their money. What is the right amount of pocket money; what is the right age for children to have control of their money; what do children learn from the way parents handle their finances; what are the ways that you can use the Child Trust Fund. These issues are often a cause of concern and anxiety for many families but they needn’t be. We sincerely hope that A Load of Dosh will help ease any worries and lead the way to increased confidence in family finances.”

Source: NIACE Press Release: "New DVD hopes to break family finance taboo" Released On 1/11/2006

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