The greatest skills Competition in the world is coming to London this October and we need volunteers to make WorldSkills London 2011 the best yet! Crew 2011 will comprise over 2,500 volunteers just like you, taking on roles from Tour Guide to Press Officer. Competitions in 45 skills areas will host hopeful medallists from over 50 countries/regions - and 150,000 visitors. For more details on how to be part of this incredible international four day spectacular please email volunteer@worldskillslondon2011.com or visit www.worldskillslondon2011.com/volunteer.
Contact the Crew on
- Phone: 020 719 33179
- Skype: Crew.2011
- Email: volunteer@worldskillslondon2011.com
In January 2011 members of The Learner Panel were asked for their opinions of Ofsted learning and skills inspections and reports. The survey's insightful findings will be used to help shape how future inspections of learning/training providers are carried out. A total of 1,015 learners took part in the survey, from a range of different learning providers including further education colleges, 6th form colleges, workplace learning, training centres, learndirect and community centres. A large portion of the survey focused on Ofsted?s Common Inspection Framework (which is a set of inspection principles applying to all Ofsted learning and skills inspections). When learners were asked about which aspects of the Common Inspection Framework were most important to them, (i.e what Ofsted inspectors should be looking at when inspecting a learning or training provider) top of the list was "How well learners achieve and enjoy their learning". Another interesting finding was that 85% of learners think that learning/training providers should be allowed to post their inspection-related information on their intranet.
A new project being undertaken will track learners' views on the rise in university tuition fees through 2011. If you haven't had your say already, look out for an invitation to the survey in the coming months.
Our younger members of the Learner Panel were asked this and many other questions relating to their attitudes towards their science education as part of a wider project being run by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills on public attitudes to science. You can see the results of the survey on the BIS website: http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/science/science-and-society/attitudes-to-science-14-16
As part of it's public consultation on their Single Equality Scheme, the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) wanted to include the views of learners who are affected by their work. 300 14-19 year olds in further education or attending an academy school took part in an online survey collecting their views and experiences of equality (and inequality) in learning. The findings will feed into the YPLA's Single Equality Scheme, which will set out how the YPLA will fulfill its duties to promote equal opportunities; avoid discrimination; place the advancement of inclusion, equality and diversity at the centre of its work and fulfil the requirements of its remit in a way which promotes equality.
Adult learners took part a series of focus groups and had their say on a range of issues - from views on the apprenticeship scheme to the value of different qualifications and the skills attained from their course or training. The findings were used as part of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills' consultation which fed in to the Skills for Sustainable Growth strategy published in November 2010.
Ofsted used the Learner Panel in October 2010 to hear the views of 1,000 students around the evaluation of the inspection framework for Learning and skills. The results have formed an integral part of the consultation process and will be taken forward as part of the wider review.
Ofsted asked members of the Learner Panel for their views on PSHE. The wanted to find out what type of issues and subjects were discussed in PSHE lessons, if they were useful and what they had learnt. Results from this survey to follow.
As part of the consultation on their Single Equality Scheme, the Skills Funding Agency wanted to hear what learners thought about equality in adult skills training. The research used an online survey, answered by over 150 learners, and an online focus group with ten disabled learners. Some of the key things we learned included:
- Learners were grateful for the opportunity to give their views on equality. The online focus group in particular seemed to find it a valuable experience.
- The majority of learners from all groups believe equality and diversity is important. Typical comments included 'everyone has the right to access the same opportunities in education no matter what their barriers to learning are or their personal circumstances.'
- Many learners are active in looking for information about equality and diversity, including use of social networking sites. For some, this is important in informing their choice of provider.
- Disabled learners want their needs to be taken into account, without being forced to 'stand out from the crowd'.
- Learners feel there is room for improvement in how they are asked about disability, and how support is offered. Providers need to be sensitive to hidden impairments, as some learners choose to 'muddle through' and 'survive', rather than asking for help.
- Learners are not yet sold on the idea of declaring sensitive details such as sexual orientation, religion and belief to their providers.
Ofsted asked members of the Learner Panel for their views on inspection. They wanted to know what learners think of the inspection process, the extent to which they feel their views are taken into account and their ideas about how we could improve our approach to getting their views. Results from this survey to follow
As part of a restructuring in the education sector, the remit of the Learning and Skills Council has now transferred to the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) and the Skills Funding Agency. The Learner Panel is now funded by the YPLA, Skills Funding Agency and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (DBIS). As a member of the panel, you won't notice any changes, other than new logos on the website!
The YPLA wanted to know what the main benefits learners aged 16+ had gained since starting their learning or training. The majority of learners said that it had improved their skills (85%), helped them to make new friends (44%), and some felt it had improved their chances of getting a new job/pay rise (39%, 20%).
Approximately 2 out of every 5 learners aged 14-18 said that they "Do not receive enough information" from their school or college regarding vocational learning routes such as Apprenticeships and NVQs.
When asked about which sources they would prefer to use to find out more about the learning opportunities available to them the top 3 sources for learners aged 24 and under were Facebook (58%), School/College websites (52%) and talking to someone face to face (37%). For those aged 25+ the top 3 were the DirectGov website (47%), Facebook (47%), talking to someone face to face (43%) and School/College websites (35%).
We asked members of the Learner Panel about what had the most impact on their choice of course. We found out that for 14-18 years olds the top 3 were Parents/family (54%), Teachers (47%) and Friends (36%). In contrast, the majority (46%) of those aged 25+ found their employer to have been most influential when deciding which course to follow, with little else coming close. In addition, when we asked all learners aged 18 and under what the main reasons were for choosing their course the top 3 were because they were "interested in the subject" (78%), they thought it would help "to get a job in the future" (58%) and they "wanted to go on to higher education" (56%).
When asked if they were able to choose their course again, would they choose the same one, almost 20% of all 14-18 year olds we asked said "No". Whereas over 50% of all learners we asked aged 25+ said that "Yes" they would choose the same course again.
We found out that almost 60% of learners aged 18 and under would be interested in applying to university at some point in the future.
GCSE English exams to include questions on text messaging...
Apprenticeships will become a passport to university under plans outlined by ministers...
The National Union of Students is too often seen as an organisation representing students at university. Little do people know that actually, the majority of our membership are students? unions in the further education sector, ranging from FE Colleges, sixth forms and adult education providers...
Opinionpanel Research Director Peter Overy has released a report on graduates and the recession. Key findings from over 500 recent graduates highlight their desire for employers to see beyond the short term and keep recruiting despite current economic circumstances. The research was carried out on Opinionpanel's weekly Graduate Omnibus Survey...
In July 2008 the LSC published the National Learner Satisfaction Survey (NLSS), which is the largest survey of learners in colleges and other training organisations in England. The NLSS provides the LSC with valuable feedback from learners on the quality of the learning and training provision it funds and reveals what drives satisfaction and dissatisfaction. The results are used widely by the LSC, its partners and providers to help to continue to maintain high levels of satisfaction...
