West Yorkshire - Lifelong Learning Network

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Download the Sector Brochure

Download the WYLLN Celebration of Achievement Digital and Culture Brochure

Digital WBL Modules – Led by Leeds College of Technology, this proposal involves working closely with employers to develop work-based learning assignments to support the delivery of Foundation Degrees, covering a range of subject areas across both creative digital (e.g. web design) and technical ICT roles (e.g. computer networking and Ethernet migration). The project also involves undertaking a number of interviews with employers to better understand skills needs in the Digital industries.

Foundation Degree in E-Technologies (PROCOM) – Lead by Park Lane College this is one of our most exciting developments. With the backing of seven academic partner institutions, nine employers, e-Skills UK (the Sector Skills Council for IT and Telecoms) and Foundation Degree Forward, this exciting project will develop a work-based learning Foundation Degree aimed at people already in employment who want to recognise and accredit their existing learning and fill the gaps in their knowledge and skills using work-based assignments. The curriculum will be mapped to the e-Skills UK PROCOM (Professional Competency) standards, which in turn are linked to the SFIA Framework (Skills For the Information Age) and National Occupational Standards (NOS). This will deliver a really flexible programme, which can be tailored to the needs of individual employers and employees within the Digital and ICT Sector, without compromising on quality or the integrity of a professional, accredited qualification. For more information on PROCOM please see the e-Skills UK website.

Foundation Degree in Commercial Photography – Led by Wakefield College, and supported by Skillset (the Sector Skills council for Creative Media), this Foundation Degree programme provides an alternative to traditionally delivered Photography courses by building in strong commercial practice and operational aspects, which will help photographers survive as profitable self-employed business leaders. Whilst there will still be the same emphasis on building photographic competencies, this value-added programme will also help to develop sound business skills, allowing graduates to maximise profitability, maintain intellectual property rights and even specialise in areas such as editorial or location photography, using real-world work-based assignments.

Bachelor of Arts in Digital Photography (one year top-up for the Foundation Degree in Commercial Photography) – Lead by Kirklees College, this programme provides further development opportunities for those learners wishing to extend previous image making competencies into the commercial world of digital photography/image-making. Again using accreditation of prior learning (APL) and work-based assignments, this course will allow commercial and digital photography professionals the chance to gain a Bachelors degree which recognises both existing and new skills.

Foundation Degree in Applied Computing – Led by Leeds College of Technology this proposal aims to maximise the opportunities for students undertaking courses in different areas of networking – Administration, Infrastructure and Engineering. This new course will amalgamate a number of different modules to provide a flexible, modular route through the programme, which can be tailored to the needs of different employers and employees, again using work-based learning to enable the course to be undertaken whilst in employment.

Bite Size Digital Business modules – The e-Skills UK publication 'Technology Counts: IT and Telecoms Insights 2008' indicates that IT and Telecoms employers increasingly require a blend of business, technical and interpersonal skills with 30% of Digital and ICT businesses currently lacking business skills and 31% lacking interpersonal skills. With each module lead by different partners, this suite of nine new modules (including topics such as e-commerce, project management, creative solutions and digital enterprise) is designed to respond to employers’ need for small, flexible bite-size chunks of accredited learning that fills the gaps between the technical knowledge and skills required to work in the Digital and ICT Sector, and the transferable enterprise skills needed to operate flexibly and responsively in a rapidly changing environment. These modules can be undertaken independently, as part of a bespoke programme or as part of a full course, and will complement a range of existing Foundation Degree programmes in addition to providing employers with a range of new flexible study options. These modules are also ideal for those looking to move into the Digital and ICT Sector from other areas e.g. Finance or Design.

Employer Engagement

Creative Networks – In partnership with the Sector Group for Culture, Media, Sports and the Arts; Leisure, Hospitality and Tourism, the Digital, ICT and Print Sector Group have sponsored Creative Networks – an exciting and popular peer-to-peer networking event that aims to bring together the many professional practices that make up the creative, digital and cultural sectors. With a mixture of high profile speakers, these monthly events provide the opportunity to rub shoulders with movers and shakers across the Yorkshire and Humber regions. Events are held on the last Thursday of every month from 6pm at Leeds College of Art & Design in conjunction with partners; the Elsie Whitely Innovation Centre and the West Yorkshire Lifelong Learning Network.