Cath Walsh: Director

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Non-participation in higher education Decision
making as an embedded social practice Implications
for Lifelong Learning Networks
Greater Manchester Strategic Alliance www.gmsa.ac.
uk Cath.walsh_at_gmsa.ac.uk
Cath Walsh Director
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The GM Lifelong Learning Network Project
Mission
To increase opportunities, particularly in
vocational areas, for part time and full time
learners to progress to higher education and
succeed.
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Strategic Objectives 2006 - 2009
Progression vocational learners Provision
relevant / accessible Partnerships with each
other, employers and other stakeholders
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How are LLNs contributing?
Adults with vocational qualifications and / or
work experience fall within LLN target groups
Hard to reach Within LLN outreach
activity Extensive IAG activity within LLNs
geared to non-traditional, part time learners
links to learndirect and XCRI

• Latent demand
• LLNs working with partners to manage risk and
  stimulate demand of new part time adult learner
  market
• Employer engagement key aspects of LLN work in
  informing curricula and responding to higher
  skills needs

Fall between agencies LLNs are partnerships with
remit to join things up and create seamless
progression

• New types of HE provision
• LLN funding supports growth of student numbers
  for work-related and employer supported HE
  provision
• tangible impact on employment /careers

Little research available LLN research and
tracking learner progression patterns
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Examples from the GMSA
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KEY PROJECTS
Electronic access to higher level part time /
short courses (accredited non)
Tailored programmes of part time, accredited
higher education modules leading to university
awarded qualifications from CPD to Masters
On-line tool to navigate progression pathways to
higher education for learners with vocational
qualifications
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The Challenges!

• Vocational Learners
• Part time in work
• Flexibility
• Portable units

• Employers
• Relevance
• Flexibility

• HEIs, FEC Training Providers
• Be responsive
• Incorporate training / non accredited
• Flexible delivery
• Maintain Quality
• IAG / visibility of PT offer

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Potential Solution
22 FECs WBL providers
6 HEIs
Employer Groups / Brokers
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What is it?
Means of delivering employer led, tailored and
flexible higher education
Catalogue of employer facing short HE courses
leading to CPDs and larger HE qualifications
Electronic portal for part-time flexible higher
education opportunities Enables employers and
learner in work to tailor their programme of
study to meet their business or career needs -
bespoke HE qualifications
Stockport
Bolton
MMU
Manchester
Salford
Wigan Leigh College
Manchester College
Bolton
Skills Solutions
MMU
Skills Solutions
Stockport
Salford
Manchester College
Manchester
MMU
Wigan Leigh College
Bolton
Skills Solutions
Salford
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Key Characteristics

• Incorporates employer training into larger
  qualifications
• Includes work based learning
• Provides credit rated HE CPD awards from level 4
  to 7
• Progression achieved through credit accumulation
  and transfer into larger qualifications such as
  Masters, Hons and Foundation Degrees
• Enables mix match from range of providers
• Delivered through partnership of 6 HEIs, 22 FE
  Colleges, 1 Work Based learning provider
• Longer term vision is to incorporate non GM HE
  providers credit from other frameworks (QCF,
  ECTS)

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Core Principles
Module Catalogue

• Stand Alone
• Validated as CPD
• Carry HE credit (other credit in phase 2)

• Must have some form of employer support
• Higher skills priorities for GM and NW

Modules owned and managed by the validating
HEI Partnership with autonomy
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Progression
15 Working Learning in HE
30 Creating Networking
30 Developing social enterprises
20 Community health
15 Research in the workplace
10 Introduction to Community
CPDs
10 Introduction to project management
15 Community Governance
20 Leadership Management
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Larger Awards within FHEQ
Validated Shell Award framework
20 L4 CPD Leadership Management
10 L4 CPD Creating Networking
10 L4 CPD Community health
10 L4 CPD Introduction to Community
15 L4 CPD Research in the workplace
15 L4 CPD Working Learning in HE
Cert HE Professional Studies (Advance)
30 L4 CPD Negotiated work based learning module
- capstone?
10 L4 CPD Introduction to project management
15 L4 CPD Community Governance
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Module Catalogue
Stand Alone Validated as CPD Carry HE credit
(other credit in phase 2)
Demonstrate employer engagement Meet higher
skills needs
Employer Engagement Through SSCs, employer
networks, Skills Academies, Chamber, and member
links all contribute to GMSA Sector Development
groups e.g pro.manchester (Finance
professional Services), Digital Manchester, BBC,
NHS, Creative Industry Development Service,
Bolton _at_home, Chartered Institute
Logistics Seeking to develop modules jointly
delivered supported by employers Potential
recruitment tool for employers
Progression through CAT
Supporting Learners E-portfolio developed via
JISC project GMSA Advance Learner Clubs
delivered through local FE partners IAG single
electronic access. Information entered using
XCRI standards to maximise electronic searching
Careers advice E-admin systems eg MIAP
GMSA authorised to use Unique Learner Number to
track learners on GMSA Advance programmes
External
Joint Forum for Higher Levels
Small credit bearing CPD awards that can
accumulate credit (vol. level) and apply for
larger qualifications (within FHEQ) Heads of
Quality group develop GMSA Advance Award
regs Awards to be badged GMSA Advance Several
validating HEIs CAT of non HE (QAA) credit
considered in phase 2 /3
CIDG
QAA
QCF
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For Employers HE qualifications tailor-made to
maximise impact to business Immediate response to
employer needs Single point of access to higher
level training and development courses from many
providers Incorporate recognise internal
other training Work based options less time
away from work work related projects Combine
expertise of different providers within single
recognised qualifications
For Learners HE relevant to their career /
employment Progression opportunities Recognised
qualifications en route Electronic access to
information about part time courses Choice
flexibility of provider, delivery, location. Work
based learning options Shape own programmes of
study Pick and mix from several providers Can
build on training programmes
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Timescales

• Pilot Sept Dec 08
• 5 test employers 10 employees / test learners
• Develop IT infrastructures and databases
• Populate Explore
• Develop HEI systems for validating CPDs
• Develop financial infrastructures