West Yorkshire - Lifelong Learning Network

West Yorkshire Lifelong Learning Network 2007-2011
After four successful years the West Yorkshire Lifelong Learning Network (WYLLN) based at the University of Huddersfield as the accountable body has come to an end.  Thanks to your support the partnership has supported over 11,000 learners on vocational and work-based learning courses with over 5,500 individuals progressing into or through higher education and engaged with over 4000 employers.  An evaluation of the impact of WYLLN 2007-2010 click here gives an objective view of the partnership’s achievements click here. Rather than publish an end of project report, the WYLLN Management Board felt it better to publish the key findings of this external evaluation as a more objective way of celebrating the success of the project.
As from 31st July 2011 WYLLN will be no longer operational; however access to the website will continue to be available through to July 2012.  Its contents will no longer be updated though, except for the Progression Agreement database which will remain a live resource.  Information on all WYLLN developments and resources can be accessed from the Knowledge Bank on the website link here
The HE providers in West Yorkshire, colleges, higher education institutions and universities, have decided to continue to work together in a new partnership. The new partnership will continue some aspects of WYLLN’s work and will become operational during the coming Autumn term, in the interim you can contact wylln@hud.ac.uk

Introduction to skillswestyorks website
Supporting You and Your Business to Develop – A New extensive course list
We are pleased to announce the launch of our new website: www.skillswestyorks.ac.uk
A dedicated website with over 120 courses available, with more than 75% of our training delivered in two days or less. Click on the link to see what’s available right now!
In a crowded skills landscape finding the right training and development can be time consuming, frustrating and confusing.  WYLLN takes the pain out of the process, providing a direct route to relevant and effective short courses, by coordinating the training offered to business by our network of Universities and Colleges.
On www.skillswestyorks.ac.uk  you can register your interest, apply for courses on offer, or request further information and discuss your learning and organisational needs. The list is not exhaustive, if the training you are looking for is not there let us know, on the register of interest form.
The focus is on providing relevant, flexible and responsive training for business need, to support the development of higher level skills for employers and their employees. Each course provides the knowledge, skills and ‘Know how’ to be able to apply new learning to the job role and workplace.We have delivery locations throughout West Yorkshire which provide easy access and local delivery. Training can also be offered on a bespoke basis, tailored to need and delivered on or off site as required.
Supporting Your Business with Higher Level Training and Development… listening and responding to business need for flexible, relevant and timely training

fdf - A report on approaches to the ‘Recognition’ of employer based training within the EBTA Community of Practice” click here

Calderdale and Kirklees Careers IAG Update July 2011 click here

National HE STEM bulletin July 2011 click here
HE STEM News Spring/Summer 2011 click here

Update from Ian Sinkinson, Student Finance Consultant, Student Finance England click here

Students at the Heart of the System
Consulting on the future of Higher Education
30th June 2011 - The Department for Business Innovation and Skills
This White Paper sets out our proposals for a higher education sector which is sustainably funded; delivers a better student experience; and contributes fully to the efforts to increase social mobility. The purpose of this consultation is to receive feedback on this overall package of proposals for reforming higher education in England. We welcome input from anyone with an interest in our proposals.
These proposals represent a radical reform of the higher education system and we are seeking your comments on the overall strategy for reform set out in this White Paper and the impact that they will have on the higher education sector. You can comment via the comment box on the right or by emailing HE.consultation@bis.gsi.gov.uk
The closing date for responses is 2nd September 2011

The Guardian -  17th June 2011
Plan to let cheaper colleges recruit more students as demand grows for vocational qualifications
Colleges charging less than £6,000 a year in tuition fees will be free to recruit more students under government proposals that could lead to a new generation of polytechnic-style institutions teaching vocational skills.A forthcoming white paper is expected to herald the expansion of employer-focussed education in courses ranging from engineering and social care to zoology and graphic design..... read more

HEFCE - 16th June 2011
From September 2012, prospective higher education students will have easy access to the new Key Information Set (KIS) to help them choose what and where to study.
Under new arrangements published jointly today (June 16) by HEFCE, Universities UK and GuildHE, universities and colleges in England will be required to publish a KIS for each undergraduate course they offer (Note 1). The KIS is an online summary of information about: student satisfaction; learning and assessment; financial costs and support; employment outcomes; and professional body recognition (Note 2).
These are the areas that more than 2,000 students and their advisers highlighted as most useful to them in recent research (Note 3). The KIS will present this information in the places people are most likely to look for it: university and college web-sites. The information will be presented in an accessible, standard format which will allow easy comparison between courses, and will provide links to more detailed information..... read more

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills - 7th June 2011
Introduction
I am going to speak today about the future of FE and I wanted the first people with whom I shared my thoughts to be some of those who know the sector best, care about it most and, critically, who will play a key role in delivering a new future for FE that is characterised by innovation, vocational excellence and a renewed sense of enthusiasm for and pride in skills.
Many of you say that I am something of a tribune for our FE sector, in public, in Parliament and within Government. My commitment isn’t based on sentiment, although we should never be apologetic about the beauty of craft and the elegance of learning. The case for practical learning is far from merely utilitarian. Nevertheless, a hard-headed analysis proves how fundamental high-quality adult learning and skills are to achieving many of the key objectives of the coalition’s programme for government.... read more

Department for Business Innovation and Skills - 7th June 2011
The independent taskforce will work to combat the myths around the changes to English student finance in 2012 and will seek to reassure potential students about what they can expect when applying for university and beyond.
It is to be independent of government and set its own agenda – membership is of university, student groups, experts and others.
It will will provide a valuable boost to the government’s public information campaign on student finance for 2012 students, launched last month..read more

The Guardian - 7th June 2011
There's a sharp increase in people signing up to learn a trade, and a lot of the new recruits are women
Remember the joke, "how many women does it take to change a lightbulb?" Well, forget the old punchline. The new answer appears to be "just one, and she'll charge you a £40 callout fee".
Colleges are reporting a sudden upsurge in students signing up to learn how to be an electrician, decorator, mechanic or builder, and much of the increase seems to be down to female students. Far more women are now choosing to train in these trades, rejecting the more traditionally "female" roles of hairdresser, childminder, care worker or beautician .... read more

The Guardian - 7th June 2011
Ministers underestimated how many universities would charge £9,000 fees – and now face huge bill to fund student loans
Tough quotas on student numbers may have to be introduced to avoid the creation of a spending black hole under plans to raise tuition fees at English universities to a maximum of £9,000, a powerful committee of MPs has warned.
Ministers underestimated how many universities would charge the maximum fee and now face an annual bill to fund the interest-free student loans that is "several hundred million pounds" higher than anticipated, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) reports... read more

Department for Business Innovation and Skills - 7th June 2011
Are you looking to go to university in 2012, or a parent of a potential student, and want to find out the details on how the tuition loan system will operate and how to get a student loan?
You can visit Make Your Future Happen, http://yourfuture.direct.gov.uk/  which shows what help you can get with living costs and what support is available from government.
You can also visit the Channel 4 website http://www.channel4.com/explore/yourfuture/index.html  and hear about real life testimonials from graduates who found their time at university and their resulting degree invaluable.... read more

HEFCE - 26th May 2011
HEFCE announced today (26 May) funding of £600 million for 2011-12 to 2014-15 for universities to help with the recovery and growth of the economy (See note 1). This follows the Government's decision to continue higher education innovation funding (HEIF) and to reform it to focus on the highest-performing universities working with businesses.
Allocations will be made to 98 universities with an established track record in working with business, public sector and not-for-profit organisations. To release their funds, institutions must provide a strategy to be approved by HEFCE..... read more

Department for Education 12th May 2011
The Government today announced plans to ensure that more young people leave school or college with a good grasp of English and maths. It means that those who have failed to get a C or better in GCSE English or maths will study the subjects until they get good qualifications. The move will address concerns that standards of literacy and numeracy among young people are not good enough..... read more

The Guardian - 12th May 2011
Education secretary announces plan after report criticising number of pupils leaving school without basic grasp of English or maths
Thousands of pupils who fail to achieve a good GCSE in English and maths will be made to study the subjects for another two years or take high-quality alternative qualifications until they leave school at 18, the education secretary has said. Michael Gove was responding to a government-commissioned review of vocational qualifications, published in March, which criticised the number of pupils leaving school without a basic grasp of English or maths.... read more

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills - 9th May 2011
A new campaign for prospective students and their parents about changes to the student finance system in 2012 is launched today.
The press, radio, media partnership and social media campaign links students and parents to a new dedicated website for future students. http://yourfuture.direct.gov.uk/
It describes how the tuition loan system will operate, how to get a student loan, help with living costs and what support is available from government. Universities and Science Minister David Willetts said:
“We must ensure that prospective students are not put off applying to university because they do not understand the new system. Going to university depends on ability – not the ability to pay. "New students will not pay upfront costs, there will be more financial support for those from poorer families and everyone will make lower loan repayments than they do under the current system once they are in well paid work. “A university degree is an excellent investment in your future. Students and their families need to know that applying for student finance is quick and easy and can be done on-line.”... read more

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills - 6th May 2011
Facts on financial support for part-time students starting courses from September 2012. Summarises the new student finance arrangements for part-time higher education students from September 2012. Intended for future students... read more