Higher Futures news digest
Week ending 14 March 2008
Higher Futures news
- Event - Work-based learning higher education event
Monday 7 April 2008, Infirmary Road, Chesterfield College - Event - 'Go Higher - Stay Local' Progression Opportunities Fair
Higher Education Fair and Exhibition for learners, in conjunction with Aimhigher South Yorkshire.
Thursday 17 April 2008, The Hubs, Sheffield Hallam University
Lifelong Learning Networks
- Event - Working Together to Engage Employers in Higher Level Skills (fdf and Lifelong Learning Networks)
Thursday 10 April 2008, Aston Business School, Birmingham
General news
- 14-19 Education - Q&A: Diplomas in England (BBC, 7 March 2008)
The government is predicting that the new Diplomas could become "the qualification of choice" for teenagers in England's schools and colleges. - 14-19 Education - Ministers boost Diplomas' value (BBC, 7 March 2008)
Ministers are increasing the scope of England's new Diplomas, so the advanced ones will be equivalent to four and a half A-levels - one more than now. - 14-19 Education - 'Super Diploma' blow to A-levels (Telegraph, 7 March 2008)
A new "super diploma" worth four-and-a-half A-levels will be announced today, in a move that will be seen as a Government attempt to lure middle-class children towards the controversial vocational qualifications. - 14-19 Education - Heads' tough warning on Diploma (BBC, 7 March 2008)
Head teachers have warned that confusion and a low take-up rate could doom England's new Diploma to second-class status. - 14-19 Education - Parents urged to rethink young people's options (Learning and Skills Council, 7 March 2008)
Young people are missing out because their parents aren't aware of the many learning routes available today, according to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). - 14-19 Education - Diploma success 'to end A-levels' (BBC, 8 March 2008)
A-levels will disappear as a separate qualification in England if the new Diploma is a success, says the head of the exams watchdog. - Higher Education - John Denham speech (DIUS, 29 February 2008)
Speech by the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills at the Wellcome Collection Conference Centre. He talks about the Government's long-term framework for the expansion and development of universities. - Higher Education - Denham sets new university challenge: to open up our towns and cities to new university provision (DIUS, 3 March 2008)
A consultation to open up opportunities for towns and cities to bid for new university campuses and centres of higher education was announced today by John Denham. - Skills - £60m funding boost for DIUS to improve adult skills (DIUS, 13 March 2008)
The Chancellor today announced an additional £60m of resources for DIUS over the next three years to provide new opportunities for adults to acquire the skills they need to unlock their talents. - Skills - TUC welcomes extra cash for training and schools (Unionlearn, 13 March 2008)
Responding to the Chancellor's announcement on education and skills funding in the 2008 budget, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said, " The extra £60m in funding for adults skills training and apprenticeships underlines the Government's commitment to improving the UK's skills base." - Vocational Education - Vocational pass rates soar (TES, 7 March 2008)
Students on vocational courses are responsible for the record pass rates achieved last years, figures show. - Vocational Education - Parents stop children choosing vocational route (Guardian, 11 March 2008)
A new study shows that job-specific training has a global image problem - even in Germany.
Events and training
- Event - Making the most of Leitch in the NHS Conference
Wednesday 2 April 2008, London South Bank University - Event - Higher Education at Work (fdf) (PDF document)
Wednesday 23 April 2008, Trinity Centre, Cambridge - Event - Upskilling frontline staff: to identify and meet the needs of customers through effective interviewing techniques (NIACE)
Tuesday 29 April 2008, The Megacentre, Bernard Road, Sheffield
Practical training course suitable for guidance workers, information advisers, teachers and tutors. - Event - Vocational Admissions Conference (Action on Access)
Wednesday 11 June 2008, Keyworth Centre, London South Bank University - Event - FACE (Forum for Access and Continuing Education) Annual Conference
Challenging Isolation: the role of lifelong learning
Wednesday 2 to Friday 4 July 2008, York St John University
Publications
- Newsletter - Action on Access ebulletin: March 2008 (Word document)
- Publication - A new 'University Challenge': unlocking talent (DIUS) (PDF document)
- Publication - Learning is the business (Unionlearn)
Seven examples of workplace learning benefiting both employers and employees.