Learning Representatives Report

A personal view
It seems to me that we need to return to a more hands on local approach where local needs and priorities are identified and funding is allocated to meet local needs by a locally placed body.

I personally feel that this should be done via our local authority in partnership with local providers and the LLSC. It has always been my experience that Herefordshire’s Lifelong Learning Dept are the ‘honest brokers’ and make their best endeavours to ensure that we are all informed, involved and consulted. There is ample evidence to support this. If you are not already involved in the ACL/FLDG group or on the circulation list please contact Peter Ding on 01432 260637 or email- pding@herefordshire.gov.uk



DIUS Consultation
A great deal of lobbying, not just from us in Herefordshire but nationally has taken place and the Department of Innovation Universities and Skills (DIUS) have launched a consultation document ‘Informal Adult Learning- Shaping the Way Ahead’. The publication is available from the DIUS website www.dius.gov.uk or by telephoning DIUS Publications on 0845 60 222 60. A copy is also available on the learning area of VSA website. Please take the time to have a look; this is our chance to influence policy change. In the forward by John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills tells us-

‘All forms of good adult learning are valuable. Whether vocational, or simply for personal enlightenment and fulfillment, adult learning contributes immeasurably to the well-being and health of our society.’

We will all agree with this statement I am sure and many VCS have charitable objects or aims that will relate to this statement. Mr Denham goes on to say-

‘Major voluntary organisations are now significant education providers’.

I feel reassured that we are recognised as significant providers but why only ‘major’, many small VCS providers make a huge contributions. My own organisation, HELP, works with 400 Skills for Life learners throughout Herefordshire each year. We are a quality provider with three good inspections to our credit; our learners have ‘higher than national average qualifications, accreditation and progression to higher levels’ (Ofsted May 2008). There are many other VCS organisations doing a wonderful job in the County, reaching the most needy, disadvantaged and hard to reach in society- CSV, Teme Valley Youth, Carr-Gomm, Mind, ECHO, WRVS, Deaf Direct to name but a few.

For the last two years we have all heard much of ‘Train to Gain’ and vocational qualifications. The Government quite rightly wants all adults to be skilled and qualified but to many of us it seems that other vital provision, which is just as important, may have been overlooked. Many of us have been working hard to try to influence policy change. John Denham ends his forward with-

‘The emphasis the Government has rightly given to adult vocational
educational has led some to suggest that informal adult education is not valued. Nothing could be further from the truth. This consultation document starts a discussion that will lead to a new vision for informal adult learning for the 21st century. To do so, it will be important to understand all the changes that are currently taking place, all the ways that Government and other organisations support adult learners and, most importantly, what learners from all parts of our society actually want.

I hope that everyone with an interest in the future of informal adult learning will help us shape that vision and identify the most appropriate support that Government can give’.

I hope that you will take the time to take part in this important consultation and that together we can get a better deal for the adult learners of Herefordshire. Please do not hesitate to contact me with you views and comments so that I can make sure your voice is heard.

Best Wishes to all of you

Regards

Julie Wilson Thomas

Contact details- mobile 07734 297 200 or email Julie@helpvcs.co.uk

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