WorkBased Progression and Young Unemployed Adult Progression in the Lancashire Aimhigher: Partnershi

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Work-Based Progression and Young Unemployed Adult
Progression in the Lancashire Aimhigher
Partnerships for Progression Programme an
analysis of preliminary research reports and
projects
Keith Percy and Rosemary Hindley Department of
Continuing Education Lancaster University

• Sub headings
• Bulleted information
• Bulleted information

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• Context and Origins
• Baseline Investigation (April-July 2003)
• - Commission
• - Identification of occupational and
  geographical areas
• - Mapping of existing provision and progression
  routes
• - Exploration of possible developments and
  activities
• Themes 2 3 the first year (August 2003-July
  2004)
• - Operationalising the Baseline Investigation
• - Three current Lancaster University projects
• 4) Commentary the Relevance of Models and
  Theories

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Introduction text..
1) Context and Origins

• Government target (50 of 18-30 year olds by
  2010)
• HEFCE/LSC joint initiative Partnerships for
  Progression
• Total national fund of 60 million for period
  (03-06)
• November 2002 call for strategic plans
• Submission of strategic plans by 31 January 2003
• Funding available from April 2003
• Pragmatism and the art of the possible
• 5 sub-regions in North West 5 different plans
• Lancashires 3 themes 1) 13-19 in
  school/college
• 2) work-based learning and 3) young unemployed
  adults

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2) Baseline Investigation

• Commission
• Lancaster University - Department of Continuing
  Education
• Work-Based and Young Unemployed Adult
  Progression
• Desk-based research and consultations ? 6
  reports completed

• Identification of occupational and geographical
  areas
• Lancashire Learning and Skills Council (LSC) 4
  key skills shortage areas Care, Construction,
  Retail and Manufacturing
• 50 Modern Apprenticeship frameworks
• POLAR data (low participation in HE) ?
  Blackburn, Blackpool, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle
  Preston
• LSC/ONS/Careers data (youth unemployment) ?
  Hyndburn, Pendle, Blackburn, Rossendale, Burnley
  Preston

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• Mapping of existing provision and progression
  routes
• Information obtained from trawl of prospectuses
  and websites
• Vocational programmes and work-based routes L3
  into HE v
• Combination of HNCs, HNDs, Foundation Degrees,
  BAs/BScs
• Targeted courses/facilities/support for
  unemployed adults v

• Exploration of possible developments and
  activities
• Range of national developments for adaptation to
  Lancashire
• Methods of giving information advice (eg
  publicity materials)
• Examination of existing UK adult mentoring
  schemes
• Exploration of feasibility of designing and
  delivering bitesize tasters of HE in the
  workplace and community

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3) Themes 2 3 The First Year

• Three current Lancaster University projects
• LU funded to undertake 3 projects during 2003/04

• Development of a website for work-based learners
  young unemployed adults
• LU in partnership with Open University in the
  North West
• Aim to provide gateways, materials activities
• Promotion of HE provision opportunities in
  Lancashire
• Preparation of supporting paper-based publicity
  materials
• 5 target groups refined in detail

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• Study into the barriers of classroom-based and
  work-based learning for young unemployed adults
• To investigate barriers to classroom WBL
  learning for YUA
• Use of student workers for interviews
• Conducted in East and North/West Lancashire
• LU working in partnership with Open University
• Mapping liaising with existing networks,
  recruiting training students, designing
  questionnaire survey, organising fieldwork,
  collating results
• 2 cohorts 1) OU dropout students 2) different
  agencies (eg JobCentre Plus, Foyer, Blackpool
  Fylde College Access course)

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• Linking education and economic development within
  the demographic needs of East Lancashire for
  Construction
• LU with East Lancashire Lifelong Learning
  Partnership (5 East Lancashire FECs), Blackburn
  with Darwen Council and Elevate
• To improve progression of L3 students onto L4
  programmes
• Target group NVQs at L2 L3 A Level
  students
• Consultative meeting of stakeholders in East
  Lancashire
• 3 priorities qualifications framework,
  employers, young people
• Exhibition, dissemination guidance event
• - 24 June at Blackburn Rovers
• - Y11 pupils, A Level FE students, teachers
  parents
• - To raise awareness and address skills
  shortage

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4) The Relevance of Models and Theories

• Work-Based Learning
• Urgency of funding timetable ? no
  concepts/definitions of WBL
• Operative model of assistance to travel to HE
  progression, routes, hurdles, barriers
  diversions
• But WB learner not free-floating able to
  embark on journey
• Partnership of institution, employer, learner
  accrediting body
• Key question What lies at end of journey? What
  kind of HE?

• Young Unemployed Adults
• How many YUA with potential for progression to
  HE?
• Lack of research/literature on education
  training of YUA
• Taxonomy of goals (Watts and Knasel, 1985)
• Adoption of alternative model for actions
  interventions?