Too Busy to Go to University?: Engaging Employed Learners

Background The Centre for Lifelong Learning - UoT Work-Based Studies Degree Summer University Negotiated Learning Framework

The Negotiated Learning Framework Project – Aims To engage with at least 79 local Small & Medium Enterprises (SME’s) To offer HE level training to new employed learners To enrol 282 of these new learners To show evidence of CPD To train 20 trainers

Sectors Construction Contact Centres Digital Media Early Years Engineering Health & Social Care Hospitality Retail Transport & Logistics Voluntary & Community

How? Accredit appropriate existing in-company training Write new programmes of learning Use existing modules or some combination of these three

Accreditation of in-house training R. Blackett Charlton Limited Skippers Lane Middlesbrough Fabrication, installation and testing of pipe-work. Supply of labour for offshore and marine industries Line Management Development Programme – in existence Part HE level with Health & Safety training accredited at FE level (NVQ level 2) with Redcar College

Write New Programmes Bells at Sainsbury’s, Tees Valley wide Convenience & Retail company – (bought by Sainbury’s in 2004) Written a new management training programme in partnership with the Training Manager at Bells, Teesside Business School and the project team Consists of three 20 credit modules creating a 60 credit University Certificate in Advanced Professional Development (UCAPD) 3 rd cohort

Using Existing Modules Sage Accounting Web Optimisation Understanding Children’s Development Introduction to Volunteering Project Management Mediation Skills Effective English

Combination of the Three ? Newsquest, Darlington Newspaper & media company - The Northern Echo Created a year long Management Development Programme a mixture of ‘off the shelf’ modules, accreditation of some current training & bespoke new modules written specifically for them. E.G. ‘Supervisory Management’; ‘Coaching & Feedback’; ‘Dealing with Conflict’

Blended Learning Open & Distance Learning Subsequent cohorts VLE – interaction Learning Through Work platform

Staff Academic? Subject-specialists? Salespeople?

Evaluation Project end date July 2008 Beginning to evaluate its impact Companies – questionnaire & telephone or face-to-face interview Key companies asked for testimonial/report

Development Business 2 Business mentors Ambassadors - from each named sector ‘Spread the word’

Financial Implications Who pays? Employer? Employee? The State?

The Leitch Review Financial focus – ‘economic competitiveness’ Well-qualified workforce Employer/demand-led

Contact Details Dr Ruth Helyer Adult Access & Flexible Programmes Manager Centre for Lifelong Learning University of Teesside