THE CONNEXIONS CARD Wendy Violentano Head of Connexions Card Unit – DfES 24 th September 2003

Purpose: To encourage young people to stay in learning by: Motivation Reward participation and attainment Reduce financial barriers Improve career and life choices Empowerment

The benefits of the Connexions Card - to young people Rewards attendance New & exciting experiences On the spot discounts Proof of Age

Why is the Card needed? To help address stubborn problems which include: low levels of participation and attainment high drop out rates and switching poor levels of participation in sports and cultural activities

A holistic approach To provide an incentive to participation and attainment in learning and personal development through a ‘rewards’ package To financially help young people through a range of discounts To help young people make a considered choice from the wide range of post-16 options open to them To use the Card to record attendance in learning

Unique experiences Behind the scenes at sports events, concerts or fashion shows Presenting radio programmes Lessons from the professionals Driving a bulldozer Attending film previews Interviewing the stars Visiting a trade or profession In the studio for a recording session Swimming with dolphins

Collecting attendance data Choice of solutions to meet the needs of Learning Centres Methods: 1.Existing MIS systems 2.Connexions Card and Readers 3. connexionscard.com 4. Helpline Pick & Mix approach

Potential Developments Transport – Cashless ticketing, Railcard Incentives for Young Offenders Incentives for the Armed Forces/Emergency Services Portable personal learning record Pre 16 and Post 19 cards E-Purse Young People in employment And on and on………

Pilot Developments Current and Potential Multi-application cards in partnership with – Doncaster MBC – North Devon – Sheffield E-Voting – Kettering Leisure Pass – Transport authorities

Current Position Over 300,000 Cards issued 1600 Learning Centres signed up 2500 Organisations visited 17,000 unique reward redemptions 6000 Discounts available 500,000 Website hits per month 1,000 cardholder logins per day