UALL 2012 Clare College Cambridge DEHOV (Digital Economy in the Heads of the Valleys) Kelly Edwards, Robert Payne and Kirsten Merrill-Glover,

 Project overview Aims & Objectives – Work based learning  Eligibility Criteria Cost  Training Modules & accreditation Delivery Certification  Lessons Learned  Consequences & Questions Presentation

Project Overview  DEHOV – work-based learning project in South Wales Valleys funded by ESF  Partnership between University of Glamorgan & University of Wales, Newport  Aimed at employers to engage with digital economy & use IT efficiently & effectively  Tailored to employer’s requirements  Employers/employees who live and/or work in the ‘convergence’ area  Private & third sector  Fully funded subject to status  Training delivered in modules, gaining credits towards further learning  Certificates – end of each module & full certification at the end of the academic year  Courses and flexibility  When & where tailored to company needs

Overview Work-based learning - IT Employers & employees Funded by ‘European Social Fund’ ©Dogfael - Flickr Digital Economy in the Heads of the Valleys

Aims & Objectives Use IT effectively Engage with digital economy Improved workflows/ efficiencies Up skill the workforce

Aims & Objectives WBL – skills they can use Marketability, skills & development Retain skills in HoV area No prescriptive schedule

Heads of the Valleys

Good practice – Curriculum sharing, marketing and brand design, cross referrals. Challenges- communication flow, ‘whole’ project operation, Partnership Working

Heads of the Valleys - Challenges High Unemployment High number of micro companies Limited companies classed as ‘private sector’ Limited number of Employers Many completing initiatives

Participation - Criteria Private sector Third sector Public sector

Participation - Criteria State aid funding < 200,000 Euros = FULLY FUNDED => 200,000 = match-funded

Academic Overview Used towards future courses/training Levels 4 & 5 Maximum 60 credits University accreditation Tailored training August 2013

Training Module = credits Example –360 credits gained over 3 years Each year = 120 credits gained from 5 or 6 modules Computerised accounting = 10 credits Maximum 60 credits per person Used towards future courses/training

Training Full modules – 10 or 20 credits Up to 30 hours delivery Self-study ‘Bite-size’ - 5 credits Tailored schedule Grades Classroom Online Tutorials

Training Certificate University accreditation Maximum 60 credits

Enrolment Student ‘perks’ – Materials Sports Centre Student discount with card Photograph Student union Library Student Card

When & Where Throughout the year Local venue(s) Self-study/ assignment Flexible Day/Evening

Staffing structure

Brand Networking Cold calling Word of mouth via tutors Social networking - LinkedIn Adverts Brochures Marketing Strategy

Engagement Training Needs Analysis Relationship Management Financial analysis – de-Minimis or GBER Educating for the future Working with Employers

Number of beneficiaries signed up =329 Number undergoing training = 213 Number of companies signed up = 122 Number of modules delivered = 23 at CQFW Level 4 Number of credits delivered = 3,240 Progress by numbers

Creative Industries - 10 ICT – 6 Energy and Environment – 3 Advanced Materials and Manufacturing – 23 Life Sciences - 2 Financial and Professional Services 37 Food and Farming 5 Construction 9 Tourism - 7 Retail – 8 Other ( Care sector, voluntary) - 12 Companies by sector

Good area to recruit because of the existence of many employer networks Having the right delivery staff in terms of industrial delivery experience is of paramount importance. Getting regular feedback from participants (weekly initially) has reduced drop out and enabled us to feedback accurately to tutors. Lessons Learned

Perhaps the most important lesson is that most elements of this project take longer than anticipated (validation, engagement and procurement, marketing) but overall has cost less than anticipated. Liaison with other projects to increase capacity is important Lessons Learned

Consequences Project Forum set up No or little direct mailing to companies Changes in recruitment of tutors (Even) earlier planning of delivery Employer responsiveness Consequences

Finale Thank you – Diolch yn Fawr Questions How does our experience compare to yours? Is there anything we have missed ? Finale