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Funding for Adult Learning
The Learning and Skills Council document, Priorities for Success: Funding for Learning and Skills summarises very well the Government's priorities for the Learning and Skills sector. NIACE supports the broad outcomes that these policies are intended to achieve but fears that the document may become one more missed opportunity to integrate the skills agenda with the wider role that adult learning plays in cross-cutting public policy (see for example the ODPM/SEU report Improving Services, Improving Lives, October 2005, which recognises the need for personal capacity-building and the well-researched positive link between adult learning and social capital, health and family life).
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Read NIACE's initial response to "Priorities for Success" here. |
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Future of Adult Learning in FE – Report published
In January this year a Committee of Enquiry into the current state of Further Education in England commenced work. Led by NIACE, the focus of the Committee's work examined the effects of current funding strategies and the level of commitment to adult learning in Further Education. The Committee’s findings are now available in a published report, Eight in Ten, Adult Learners in Further Education.
The Report draws attention to the effects of Government policy on provision for adults that is not regarded as priority, but which - in the view of members of the Committee - includes important "first steps" provision.
Some work with disadvantaged adults and those with learning difficulties also falls into this category.
Although the Committee supports the Level 2 Entitlement for adults, it believes it should include all work up to and including Level 2, with more liberal interpretation of eligibility.
The report proposes three key strands for adult learning in colleges: access to employability, workforce development, and creating and sustaining cultural value. It suggests that colleges and the LSC should organise provision on this basis.
It also believes there should be a new strategy for lifelong learning, early introduction of a credit-based qualifications system and stronger statutory endorsement of the wider benefits of learning for all.
The Report of the Committee of Enquiry, Eight in Ten, Adult Learners in Further Education, is available to download below. If you would like a hard copy, or if you would like to feedback your opinions on the Committee’s findings, please email: mala.dhakk@niace.org.uk stating your full postal address.
Download Eight in Ten, Adult Learners in Further Education, Report here
Further information about the Committee of Enquiry
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Adult learning faces an uncertain future
While this Government has invested more money in lifelong learning than ever before (a 60% rise in real terms since 1997), opportunities for adult learners face a squeeze. Two conferences to explore the implications of the forthcoming challenges of sustained funding for lifelong learning will be held in London today and Tuesday 1st November 2005.
The New Futures, New Funding Conferences – organised by NIACE, will put the future funding issue into context and explore the potential for retaining and improving a broad curriculum for adults against a backdrop of tightening resources and the drive to achieve high quality. The keynote speech at the first conference – Thursday 27th October - will be delivered by Phil Hope MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Skills, who will be setting out the Government’s position.
Additional speakers will include Rob Wye, LSC Director of Strategy and Communication; Sue Meyer, Director for Policy and Programmes, NIACE; Jennifer Adshead, WI Head of Denman Education and Training; and Richard Bolsin, WEA Chief Executive.
Sue Yeomans, Development Officer for Community Learning at NIACE, said:
“Adult learning providers are experiencing challenging times, especially those who are dependent on government funding to support learning and skills for those aged 19 to 90. The Government needs to stand by its commitments not just to the economic future of the country but to support lifelong learning in the current climate as funding pressures start to pinch.”
She continued, “Because of how vital this issue is across the lifelong learning sector these conferences have provoked considerable and widespread interest. In fact, because the first was full to capacity in a matter of days, we decided to organise an extra conference to cope with the demand. The New Futures, New Funding conferences will offer a variety of perspectives and enable delegates to discuss the prospects for adult learning despite the current pressures, to help make this uncertain future a little clearer. It will also enable greater appreciation of the approach needed to overcome the challenges ahead.”
Source: NIACE Press Release: "Adult learning faces an uncertain future" (PDF file) Released On 27/10/2005
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Read NIACE's initial response to "Priorities for Success" here. |
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Read more about the New Futures, New Funding Conference here |
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Learning transforms lives
Nominations wanted for next year’s Adult Learners’ Week awards
Organisers of the biggest celebration of learning in the UK are on the lookout for stories of inspirational people - who have had a life changing experience through learning - for the Adult Learners’ Week Awards 2006. Every year NIACE receives over one thousand nominations for Adult Learners’ Week Awards, which celebrate the achievements of learners – young and old and in all their diversity - throughout the country.
Award winners are often adult learners who have had to overcome difficult circumstances or who have been doubtful in the past about the relevance of learning to their lives. However, while learning itself may have had a positive impact on people’s self-confidence, health, social life and career, receiving an award can be the impetus to even more.
Peter Fewell, an individual award winner from this year, said:
“I was euphoric when I found out that I had won the NIACE Adult Learners’ Week Award. Meeting the other award winners and hearing about their remarkable achievements made me realise that no matter what our younger experiences were like or what obstacles we came up against, we were all achievers, whatever our environment, age or disabilities. To be honest, on the day of the award ceremony, I was floating on a cloud of elation.”
Rachel Thomson, Senior Campaigns Officer at NIACE, said:
“Every year, thousands of adults take the plunge into – or along - their learning journey. Learners often need to overcome challenges and barriers, finding the time for learning from crowded lives. But learning can be a life-changing experience, people discover new interests, develop new skills, or revisit or revitalise curiosities developed earlier in life. All of our Adult Learners’ Week Award nominees and winners are inspiring to new and existing learners who follow in their footsteps.”
She continued, “If you know someone, a family or a group of people whose learning journey others would find inspirational, then the Adult Learners’ Week Awards are a fantastic opportunity to give them the recognition they deserve. Please call NIACE’s Campaigns and Promotions team on 0116 204 4200 for a nomination form – or visit our website, www.niace.org.uk/alw - and the learner you know could be receiving a national award next May.”
Source: NIACE Press Release: "Learning transforms lives" (PDF file) Released On 26/10/2005
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Project success highlights lives of young men on the margins
The problems faced by groups of disadvantaged young men, aged 18-30, living in London of minority ethnic background – and the urgent need to recognise their needs – are highlighted in a new report, Touching the Margins, to be launched at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, in London, on Friday October 21st 2005.
Touching the Margins summarises the work of the Young Men’s Initiative – funded by the City Parochial Foundation and the John Lyon’s Charity, and designed by Working With Men – which was an innovative response to a range of issues faced by minority ethnic men living in London. These include unemployment, low skills, low paid jobs with long hours, a reluctance to interact with others, alcoholism, drug abuse, a risk of ‘getting into trouble’, homelessness; and mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, poor concentration, suicide and attempted suicide.
After consulting with the young men and local community groups the Young Men’s Initiative operated across two sites - the Refugee Advice and Support Centre (RASC) in Hammersmith, and the Surma Centre of the Bengali Workers Association in South Camden. All of the participants at RASC were refugees or asylum seekers, whilst there were two groups of Bengali men participating at BWA – one group being those born and brought up in the UK; the second recent arrivals from Bangladesh for whom English was a second language.
The core of the RASC project was communication; there was a strong emphasis on improving spoken English. Participants were paired with ‘buddies’ – volunteers from the host community who spent time with them, practising their English and meeting informally with them on a one-to-one basis. They engaged in practical activities such as registering with a local library, shopping and visiting museums, while also receiving support in their claims with the Home Office, registering with a GP and engaging in further education opportunities.
The key focus of the project at the Suma Centre was around encouraging young Bangladeshi men to have a more flexible attitude and attain a higher self-worth; through training and career aspirations; through their role in the community, particularly as mentors to younger men; through accessing information about sexual health and drugs. Many of the participants have gained employment, while several others have started training, apprenticeships or university. Parents and centre workers have also noted how participants have become more confident, caring, considerate, mature and responsible.
David Robins of John Lyon’s Charity said:
“Young men should be a huge concern for policy makers. A lot to the difficulties that these men faced stem from underachievement at school. Many of them were living in isolation, on the margins of our society and were vulnerable to mental distress or criminal activity and often fell outside the targets of mainstream services. Life is very different for young men now compared to 40 or 50 years ago. They are leaving home and marrying later, there’s less job security and find their role in life more complex. They are also often reluctant to ask for help, even when it is desperately needed.”
He continued, “By developing a co-ordinated and flexible approach to these issues, the Young Men’s Initiative has allowed young men to develop greater communication skills, build up their confidence and self-worth, and be provided with a more positive future which has enhanced their level of social interaction and enabled them to feel less isolated. It has also encouraged an idea of responsibility which has diverted some men away from criminal activity.”
Source: NIACE Press Release: "Project success highlights lives of young men on the margins" (PDF file) Released On 21/10/2005
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NIACE welcome announcement to aid part-time HE students
NIACE today welcome the announcement made by Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State for Higher Education and Lifelong Learning, to provide a significant uplift in support to part-time higher education (HE) students.
NIACE has been campaigning for part-time students to be given the same rights as full-time students for a number of years, recognising that part-time students make up around 40% of the HE student population and the vast majority of these are adults who are studying part-time to fit in alongside work and other commitments. The measures announced today will make a huge difference to the lives of part-time students.
Alastair Thomson, NIACE Senior Policy Officer, said:
“This is very positive news. Bill Rammell must be congratulated for recognising that part-time adult students were ill served by the Higher Education Act and is showing a commitment to do something to redress the balance.”
He continued, “Many other countries don’t make a stark distinction in their treatment of part-time students. Anything that offers a more fair and equitable system in England is most welcome.”
Source: NIACE Press Release: "NIACE welcome announcement to aid part-time HE students" (PDF file) Released On 18/10/2005
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96 year old MA student proves you are never too old to learn
Bernard Herzberg, a 96-year-old man from East Finchley, is England’s Oldest Learner. In a major nationwide search by NIACE - as part of its September Sign Up Now Campaign - around 50 learners in their 70s, 80s and 90s - on courses as diverse as IT, digital photography, pottery and higher education degrees - were nominated for England’s Oldest Learner.
Bernard Herzberg recently completed his MA in Refugee Studies at the University of East London (UEL) and this month has started another MA in African Economics and Literature at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).
Bernard left his home in Germany in 1933 because he ‘foresaw what would happen’ and moved to South Africa where he lived for the next 50 years and became a union organiser and activist, until his job required him to move to London. Five years later - aged 80 - Bernard retired and he began his current learning journey.
Bernard decided to study for a degree in his native tongue - German and German Literature – at a university in London, which took him five years to complete as an external student. This showed great determination as Bernard had only been using English and Afrikaans and no member of his family spoke German. Three years ago Bernard won a place on the MA Refugee Studies programme at the UEL.
Bernard Herzberg said:
“On seeing the advert for the Refugee Studies degree, I applied promptly. After all I was a refugee myself way back in 1933. I had to put off study until I was over 80, because I was busy making a living and supporting my family. My year at the University of East London was most rewarding. My fellow students came from all over the world and most were much younger than me but that didn’t matter.”
He added, “I was planning to study for my Doctorate here at UEL.but decided on another MA instead because three years is a long time at my age! Many thanks to all for honouring me, and also for making the subject of migration more than an academic one but a matter of grave concern for all humanity.”
Professor Michael Thorne, Vice-Chancellor of the University of East London, said:
“Bernard has been a wonderful student and has inspired his tutors and colleagues alike with his passion for learning and depth of experience. More than half of our 18,000 students are over 21 when they join us, bringing a wealth of life experience to our community. Mature students are often highly motivated, some because they did not have the educational opportunities when younger, others to change or develop their careers and many like Bernard are following a lifelong passion for learning.”
Jim Soulsby, Development Officer for NIACE’s Older and Bolder Team, said:
“We may be slowly winning the argument that it is never too late to learn in terms of older people constantly proving their ability and desire to learn. What is more problematic is the perception in some minds as to why older people should be encouraged to learn. Bernard Herzberg very effectively lays that prejudice to rest. Here is a man with a curiosity, a desire to evaluate his life's experience, a wish to leave a record for others and a passion for learning.”
He ended, “Bernard is a shining example to others that learning in later life need not be restricted to placid, sedentary and 'safe' activities but learners, no matter what age they are, can use their learning experience to better explain their message and philosophy.”
Source: NIACE Press Release: "96 year old MA student proves you are never too old to learn" (PDF file) Released On 18/10/2005
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New Futures New Funding
Due to unprecedented demand for the New Futures New Funding Conference on Thursday 27th October, NIACE has decided to organise a repeat event on Tuesday 1st November.
The current challenge facing the adult learning sector and the desire for clarity on future funding is clearly apparent with the volume of enquiries and interest that New Futures New Funding has generated.
Sue Yeomans, Development Officer for Community Learning at NIACE, said, “Adult learning providers are experiencing challenging times, especially those who are dependent on government funding to support learning and skills for those aged 19 to 90. The Government wants to stand by its commitments not just to the economic future of the country but to support lifelong learning in the current climate as funding pressures start to pinch.”
She continued, “Because of how vital this issue is across the lifelong learning sector this conference has provoked widespread interest. New Futures, New Funding will offer a variety of perspectives and enable delegates to discuss the prospects for adult learning despite the current pressures, to help make this uncertain future a little clearer. It will also enable greater appreciation of the approach needed to overcome the challenges ahead.”
More details will be available on the conference pages very soon.
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Rural Learning Journal Launched
A journal to help adults living in rural areas access learning opportunities has been produced by NIACE as part of the Sign Up Now Campaign.
The Rural Learning Journal has the backing of television presenter John Craven. In the foreword to the guide he says, “Rural people and communities in Britain face many challenges at the start of the 21st Century. Using learning techniques is a way people in rural areas can improve their chances of dealing with these challenges and making the most of the skills they already possess. I hope this journal will prove useful over a long period of time as a fundamental tool on a learning journey.”
The Rural Learning Journal works in three different ways. Firstly, as a tool to help learners consider the thousands of possible opportunities on offer and which route their learning journey will take; secondly, to keep track of their progress as they proceed; and lastly, as a useful contacts book.
Jo Knight, NIACE Promotions Co-ordinator for Adult Learning, said, “The Rural Journal is a great companion for your learning journey. Offering advice and tips of how to get started, stories of learners to inspire you and space to chart your own progress. Whilst living in a rural area can present its own challenges and rural occupations need a different approach, you can still enjoy the many opportunities that learning presents. You never know where your journey might lead.”
For a free copy of the Rural Learning Journal, please email barry.norris@niace.org.uk
Source: NIACE Press Release: "Rural Learning Journal Launched" (PDF file) Released On 11/10/2005
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Dynamic New Resource to Support Learning in The Voluntary and Community Sector
A unique online directory to support learning in the voluntary and community sector (VCS) was officially launched on Wednesday 5th October by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE); in partnership with the National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service (NACVS) and the national Workforce Hub; with support from the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).
VCS Learning Links – www.vcslearninglinks.org.uk - provides comprehensive details on the key national, regional, sub-regional and (some) local VCS infrastructure bodies and networks across England that support learning and training. Amongst other information, it includes contact details, relevant areas of work and aims for each organisation.
Cheryl Turner, NIACE, said,
“Finding the right partner in the voluntary and community sector has never been more important for organisations involved in learning and training, or interested in this area of work. Now that funding for community-based learning is increasingly hard to find, working collaboratively with the right people becomes ever more important as a sustainable way forward. VCS Learning Links offers a solution to the question of who should you approach first.”She continued,
“VCS Learning Links is the solution and can help you whether you're from a voluntary or community organisation, FE College, local authority service, possible funder, or another strategic body.”Janet Fleming, Head of the UK Workforce Hub in England, said,
“VCS Learning Links will be a valuable resource. It brings a wealth of information into one place for the first time, meaning infrastructure organisations can share good practice and learning with each other for the benefit of the local organisations they support.”Lynne Bryan, Learning and Development Manager at NACVS, said,
"Long awaited, Learning Links lays the foundations for a coherent resource which will enable both local voluntary and community organisations and the statutory sector to know where to go for information on learning and training in the voluntary and community sector."Positive feedback has already been received from the VCS Learning Links web-trial, Tony Herrman, Director, Community Work Training Co, said, "I think it is an excellent site at first glance - clear, readable, accessible and useful."
Source: NIACE Press Release: "Dynamic New Resource to Support Learning in The Voluntary and Community Sector" (PDF file) Released On 04/10/2005
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Achieving the Lisbon Goals, NIACE Conference Reviewed
Report on the UK EU Presidency Conference at the University of East Anglia 16-17 September 2005
Nearly 150 delegates from 29 European countries converged on Norwich in mid-September to take part in a two-day conference to discuss the contribution which adult education and training can make to the Lisbon Goal of making the European Union the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs, and social cohesion.
The conference was memorable – not only because of the diverse contributions from a range of eminent speakers and workshop leaders, but also because of the expertise and wide experiences of adult education which the delegates have brought to the event. A Reception – hosted by the Lord Mayor of Norwich at Norwich City Hall – provided an additional element to the first day and a chance to glimpse the cultural and historic gems of the city.
As the discussions at the pan-European conference progressed, it became ever more clear that – in an expanding and ageing Europe – new jobs will be filled by adults and no state can wait for its young people to grow up in order to become competitive. Conference understood that it is the current and potential adult workforce that will make the Lisbon policy aspirations a reality. In animated sessions, delegates discussed why adult skills are so important – not simply for work, but also for the interests of social cohesion.
NIACE is grateful to the Department for Education and Skills and to Grundtvig for their support in the organisation of the conference and is pleased to have been able to contribute in such a meaningful way to the UK’s Presidency of the EU in 2005.
Read the full conference report here (Word file)
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