Lancashire Partnerships for
Progression
Theme 3: Work with Young
Unemployed Adults (April-July 2003)
Objective/Target 2:
Investigation
and mapping of existing provision and progression routes for young unemployed
adults by Lancashire HEIs and FECs.
Measurements of Success:
Clear record
of current progression pathways for young unemployed adults, including
Access/Foundation programmes, targeted courses and financial support.
1)
Access and Foundation
Programmes
The
following information is a summary of general Access and Foundation programmes
currently provided by Lancashire HEIs and FECs.
1.1
Lancashire Higher Education
Institutions
Edge Hill
Associate
Study -
provides a 'taster' of any BA or BSc course without formal registration for a
full degree programme. It is also an introduction to HE, and involves attending
lectures and seminars to learn more about a particular subject. Academic
qualifications are not necessary, and tuition fees vary depending on whether
assessment is undertaken.
Fastrack - six-week full-time
'preparation for HE entry' course for adults (aged 21 or over), designed to
give students the skills and knowledge to prepare them for entry to an Edge
Hill degree course. Successful completion leads to a guaranteed offer of a
place on the appropriate full or part-time degree course. There are no formal
entry requirements, but students need to demonstrate a genuine commitment to
studying for a degree and ability to cope with the demands of the course. It is
free to participants, and students able to demonstrate need may receive
assistance with childcare and travel.
Foundation
Year BA/BSc Modular Degree - an Edge Hill foundation year (also known as Year 0) currently
offered by Nelson & Colne, Skelmersdale & Ormskirk and Wigan &
Leigh FE colleges. Students follow an approved access programme and, on
achieving the required pass, are guaranteed a place on the first year of their
chosen Edge Hill degree.
Summer College - see under Lancaster
University.
Lancaster University (Department of Continuing Education)
Associate
Student/Open Lecture Scheme - provides access for members of the public to undergraduate degree
programmes without registering for a degree. The Open Lecture scheme enables
students to sit in on lectures in a wide range of departments, while the
Associate Student scheme involves also attending seminars/tutorials and the
option of completing assessment for credit. There are no specific entry
requirements for either scheme, but evidence of prior knowledge may be required
in some subject areas.
FE2HE - intensive one-week summer
access programme mainly geared towards 17-25 year-olds living in Lancashire and
Cumbria. There are Widening Participation eligibility criteria, to encourage
those from under-represented groups to enter HE, but no formal entry
requirements (except an interest in HE and an intention to commit to
degree-level study). The course provides information about student life, help
with applications and interviews, and advice about further study,
qualifications and HE.
Higher Education
Summer School
- another one-week awareness-raising summer programme, for 'gifted and
talented' 16/17 year-olds (Year 11 AS level pupils), mainly from 'Excellence in
Cities' areas in Merseyside and Greater Manchester. HESS offers an informative
and motivating full experience of HE in different subject areas.
Learning from
Home -
part-time flexible and distance learning programmes using a variety of learning
methods, eg video/audio tapes, reading materials, Internet, workshops, study
days, practical project work. Courses currently available include 'Creative
Writing', 'Designing Web Pages via the Internet', 'Stars, Galaxies and Beyond',
'Ecological and Environmental Studies', and 'Local History'.
Open Studies - a wide-ranging programme
of short credit-bearing courses for members of the public, taught in a variety
of formats and in different locations around Lancashire. There are no formal
entry requirements, except an interest in the subject. Open Studies modules can
be used as evidence for admission to LU, but credits are not fully integrated
with academic departments (although there are some individual arrangements).
Part-Time
Certificates -
courses run in towns and villages throughout Lancashire in the daytime,
evenings and at weekends. No prior qualifications are needed, and people can
register free for a Certificate at any time of the year. Subjects currently
available are 'Archaeology', 'Astronomy', 'Counselling Theory', 'Creative
Writing', 'Ecological & Environmental Studies', 'Information Technology',
'Learning Skills for HE', 'Local History', 'Music for Beginners', 'Open
Studies', 'Photography', 'Professional & Personal Development',
'Psychology', 'Women's Studies'.
Summer College
- a free
five-week full-time residential scheme mainly for 17-21 year-olds, offered
jointly by LU (lead institution), Edge Hill, St Martin's College, Blackpool and
The Fylde College and Blackburn College. The target group is students who have
the potential to succeed in HE but may have had difficulties demonstrating their
full abilities, eg by having a low family income or being in receipt of
benefits, being affected by redundancy or long-term unemployment, suffering
disruption to their studies through illness or disability, or being the first
in their family to enter HE. Some financial assistance is available to help
with childcare and travel costs, and successful completion leads to a
guaranteed place on specified degree programmes at the five partner
institutions.
St Martin's College
Associate
Student -
individual modules on a number of courses can be studied without commitment to
a certificate, diploma or degree. The same module cost is paid as full-time
students, and on successful completion of the module the same academic credit
is received. A certificate of attendance is available for those not wishing to
undertake the assessment.
Smartpact - student compact scheme
designed to encourage students who feel that they may not or cannot achieve a
place in HE. Potential students may be the first in their family or community
to consider HE, have personal circumstances, or a physical disability or
learning difficulty which prevents them from demonstrating their full
potential. Smartpact students are
guaranteed a standard offer or an interview/audition, given guidance on subject
choice and career paths and financial advice, and are able to participate in
events/activities (including summer school/student mentor) and to submit a
portfolio to demonstrate their potential for HE.
Summer College - see under Lancaster
University.
University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)
Associate
Colleges -
UCLan access provision includes 'Foundation Course for Women Year 0' (BEng) at
Burnley, 'Introduction to HE' (part-time Certificate) at Preston and Runshaw,
'Building Management Year 0' (BSc), 'Engineering Year 0' (BSc) and 'Science
Year 0' (BSc Hons) at Preston, 'Combined Honours Year 0' (BA/BSc) at Burnley,
Preston and Runshaw, and 'Foundation Studies' (PT Cert) at Myerscough, Preston
and Runshaw.
These courses lead to guaranteed progression to
Level 1 of the appropriate degree programme at UCLan.
BA/BSc
Combined Honours Programme (Local Integrated Colleges Scheme) - part-time and full-time
degree level courses starting in September and January in nearly 70 subjects at
partner colleges (Blackburn, Blackpool and The Fylde, Burnley, Preston and
Wigan & Leigh). The scheme enables adults to start degree level study, or
enrol for just one module, near their own home. Students progress to UCLan on
either a part-time or full-time basis to be awarded a BA/BSc Hons, but four
awards are available; Certificate of HE, Diploma of HE, Degree and Honours
Degree. There is a flexible approach to admissions (prior qualifications are
not required for all subjects), and the cost depends on individual circumstances.
Foundation
Studies Programme - four-month part-time evening course starting in January, or two-week
summer school in July, leading to a guaranteed place in an appropriate subject
combination on Level 1 of the BA/BSc Combined Honours Programme or another
suitable degree course. The programme is also offered at Preston College and
Runshaw College, and is open to all adults who want to explore the various
subject options available in HE and check whether they are ready to go on to
degree level study. No formal qualifications are necessary, other than
enthusiasm and an interest in HE.
Introduction to Higher Education -
four-month part-time evening course starting in September and January, leading
to a guaranteed place on a UCLan access course (the Year 0 Combined Honours
course or the Foundation Studies Programme). It is designed for adults who wish
to find out more about HE, and are unsure of their current academic abilities.
No formal qualifications are necessary, only interest in studying and determination
to succeed. IHE is also offered by
distance learning.
Licensed
Colleges -
UCLan access provision includes 'Foundation Course for Women Year 0' (BEng) and
'Introduction to HE' (part-time Certificate) at Skelmersdale and 'Science Year
0' (BSc Hons) at Blackburn.
Year 0
Programmes -
the full-time foundation year to degrees, offering skills and subject knowledge
at preparatory level, with successful completion leading to guaranteed entry
into Year 1 of the three-year Combined Honours Programme. No qualifications are
required, other than interest and commitment to the course. It runs twice a
year (Sep-May and Jan-July) and also part-time (24 weeks) during the day at
partner colleges and in the evening at the University. 'Year 0' programmes
currently include Art and Design, Combined Honours (also available part-time
and taught at Burnley, Runshaw and Preston colleges), Electronic Engineering,
Technology for Women (also offered at Burnley and Skelmersdale colleges),
Science (only offered at Blackburn, Runshaw and Preston colleges), and Social
Work (aimed particularly at under-represented returners wishing to go into HE
but without the formal qualifications).
1.2 Lancashire Further Education
Colleges
OCNW Access to HE Certificate
Most of the Lancashire FE colleges provide a range
of the 12 Open College of the North West (OCNW) Access to HE Pathways, which
are designed for adults who wish to return to education:
|
A1 |
Access
to Humanities |
A7 |
Access
to Business & Legal Studies |
|
A2 |
Access
to Creative Arts |
A8 |
Access
to Teacher Training |
|
A3 |
Access
to Science |
A9 |
Access
to Technology |
|
A4 |
Access
to Nurse Training & Health Studies |
A10 |
Access
to Computing and Information Technology |
|
A5 |
Access
to Social Sciences & Social Work Training |
A11 |
Access
to Sports Studies & Outdoor Pursuits |
|
A6 |
Access
to Languages |
A12 |
Access
to Combined Studies |
The OCNW kite-marked Access Courses take 1 year
full-time or up to 5 years part-time, and successful completion of 3 'Stage A'
Units (Level 2) and 2 'Stage B' Units (Level 3) leads to the Open College
Access Certificate and entry to a degree or other HE programme. There are
progression routes from all of the Pathways into the four Lancashire HEIs, with
the exception of Nurse Training & Health Studies (LU), Teacher Training (LU
and UCLan) and Sports Studies & Outdoor Pursuits (LU).
The Access Courses require attendance at College for
15 hours per week over a 36-week period. This enables students to maximise
their time in college, to attain the skills and qualifications necessary to
update their CV and enhance their job prospects, and/or to study as many
subjects as possible. There are no formal academic requirements, and people
aged 19 or over are eligible to apply for a place. Assessment is based on
coursework and a final examination.
There are usually no course fees for Access Courses,
and as they are part-time (usually 14 daytime hours a week) they are
particularly suitable for adults who are in part-time work or unemployed or who
have children. Adults who are in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) can
continue to claim this Benefit while studying, as the hours of attendance on
Access Courses comply with DSS regulations (16 hours study per week, as long as
the claimant is still available for, and actively seeking, work).
Foundation Units
OCNW also offers Foundation Units for adults who
left school with few or no qualifications or who have special requirements.
These courses include FACE (Foundation Accreditation in Creative Education),
FAME (Foundation Accreditation in Maths and English), FAST (Foundation
Accreditation in Science and Technology) and FAVE (Foundation Accreditation in
Vocational Education).
Pre-Access Courses
Some FE colleges also provide Pre-Access, or Access
to FE, courses as a foundation for the Open College Access courses, for adults
wishing to return to education and gain new skills. The courses usually run for
16 weeks, with 15 hours study per week. Successful students gain the confidence
in their ability to study and are able to make informed choices about future
career and study choices. There are no formal entry requirements, in terms of
qualifications or experience. A wide range of subject options is available, and
careers advice is an integral part of the course. All subjects are assessed by
coursework (there are no examinations), and students receive the Open College
Stage A Certificates in each of their chosen subjects.
Higher Education Access Certificate
Myerscough College is not a member
of OCNW, and has its own Higher
Education Access Certificate for adult learners who
wish to start a Foundation Degree or BA/BSc (Hons) degree programme at the
College but do not possess the formal A Level (or equivalent) entry
qualifications. The course is run in the third term, and the ten 3-hour sessions
are delivered in a flexible style to suit the students' needs. The Certificate
places emphasis on the acquisition of study skills, and is assessed by a 2,000
word assignment related to the intended programme of study. However, completion
of the Access Certificate does not necessarily allow automatic entry into one
of the College's degree programmes.
2)
Targeted Courses
Most
of the Lancashire FE Colleges provide courses or facilities specifically
targeted at unemployed adults, or at least offer free tuition on most of their
courses for unemployed people in receipt of the Job Seekers Allowance (JSA).
The information below represents a summary of some examples of FEC activities
which are aimed particularly at local unemployed adults. A few samples of
publicity material are contained as an appendix to this report.
Accrington
& Rossendale College
Training for Women - Action
for Haslingden Project - provides an informal chat and advice and guidance on education,
careers, job search and information technology for the unemployed or those
seeking a change of career.
BRIDGE project - Lancashire Stepping Stones
Programme aimed at sufferers of stress, depression, anxiety and mental health
difficulties. Provides an introduction to adult education (college or
community-based) with support, guidance and advice, and free classes for those
on Benefit.
The
Adult College, Lancaster
Job Quest - a free 12-week course
offering support in making choices about the future, and helping to improve the
chances of gaining employment. The course involves sessions on career guidance,
confidence building, communication skills, customer care, computer skills,
assertiveness, First Aid, Health & Safety, job search techniques,
transferable skills in the workplace and relaxation techniques. Help with
childcare and travel expenses is available (attachment no.1).
Blackpool
and The Fylde College
Community IT Learning
Centres - a
network of centres located in disadvantaged areas providing training programmes
varying from Basic Skills to NVQs for local unemployed or seasonally-employed
people. The centres offer those with few qualifications the opportunity to
learn new skills in a 'user-friendly' way and in a familiar location close to
home, at little or no cost to themselves (attachment no.2).
Link Up - this course ran for the
second time from January to May 2003 on the College's Bispham Campus and at the
new Seasiders Learning Centre at Blackpool Football Club. It was aimed at
giving young people aged between 16 and 19 a second chance in education, to
prepare them for further study or to give them better job prospects. Students
had the opportunity to develop their Maths, English and IT skills, and to
sample work-related areas such as Business and Computing, Childcare and
Hairdressing. The course helps them to decide whether they want to stay at
College or go straight into employment (attachment no.3).
Lancaster
& Morecambe College
Adult Employment Programmes - a range of courses for the
unemployed, including Joinery, Welding, Catering, Business Administration,
Retail/Customer Service, Hair/Beauty, Care, Sport and Computing. Students are
provided with the opportunity to train or retrain in their chosen area and to
secure a work placement, as well as help to find employment whilst they are
training (attachment no.4).
Basic Skills in the
Community -
a one-year pilot project in Basic Skills delivery aimed at three main target
groups (disaffected young adults, economically inactive people and people with
no formal qualifications) in deprived areas of Lancaster. The project ran
between April 2002-March 2003 (with possible funding for a second year), and
attempted to break down barriers by delivering Basic Skills support in
community outreach centres and alongside existing learning activities
(attachment no.5).
Curriculum 2000 - a national initiative
designed to give 16-18 year olds with a minimum of four GCSEs at grades A-C
more breadth of study and wider opportunities to enter either employment or
higher education. The two-year full-time programme involves study of a wide
range of vocational and academic subjects (AS and GNVQ options), a Key Skills
Award, and enrichment activities (many carrying qualifications) to develop
personal interests and skills for those in part-time employment or trying to
build a balanced CV (attachment no.6).
Heysham Information Advice
and Guidance -
a one-year pilot project from April 2002-March 2003, and funded for a further
year, aimed at four key target groups; parents (particularly women) wishing to
acquire qualifications to facilitate a return to the labour market after
childcare responsibilities, workers with no or low qualifications, unemployed
people and disaffected young adults. A peripatetic service is delivered at a
variety of community venues in liaison with local employers, agencies and
voluntary services, including four primary schools, the workplace (at the
area's largest employer - British Energy Generation Ltd), a Youth &
Community Centre and also in new College premises in Heysham. Impartial
information, advice and guidance sessions covering education, training and
careers, and short flexible courses for retraining or qualifications, are
provided free of charge to those accessing the service (attachment no.5).
Job Shop - the College Information
Shop provides help with applying for a job, careers advice, information about
applying for HE and College courses, 15-hour introductory courses in different
subject areas, and weekly Job Shop sessions to improve job-seeking skills
(including details of vacancies, help with preparing CVs, completing job
application forms, and tips on handling interviews).
New Deal - a wide range of courses of
up to one year for 18-24 year-old unemployed young people, providing training
and assistance in securing employment. Three courses are specifically available
for unemployed people over the age of 25 years; Food Hygiene, Introduction to
IT and European Computer Driving Licence. The College also offers training
courses on a rolling basis throughout the year in Administration, Retail and Customer
Service, Construction (Brickwork/Woodwork) and Short Intensive Basic Skills
(attachment no.7).
Ridge Internet Café - an online café at the
Ridge Learning Centre in Lancaster run between October 2001-March 2003, in
partnership with Lancaster Youth & Community Services and Ridge Estate
Residents and Tenants Association. The aims of the project were to engage
disaffected young people in education, to offer a range of informal learning
opportunities for young people through the provision of a cyber café, and to
encourage young people to gain first step qualifications (particularly
Basic/Key Skills) through innovative delivery methods (attachment no.8).
SKILLSBASE - a course covering
essential skills for 16-19 year-olds wanting to either go on to work or to FE
College. No qualifications are required, and the course includes computer
skills, reading and writing skills, maths, team building, short modules (eg First Aid Certificate,
Driving Theory Test) and a work placement (attachment no.4).
Preston
College
Programmes Plus - provides job-seekers aged
18-24, 25+ and 50+ with a chance to develop their potential, gain skills and
experience and find work. The Employment Service Job Centre 'Full Time
Education and Training Option' allows adults to attend College for 10 hours
each week for a year, in order to attain qualifications to make them 'work
ready'. JSA is suspended so that they do not have to actively seek work, and
instead they receive a training allowance while at College (attachment no.9).
3)
Financial Support
3.1
Higher Education
Institutions
Benefits
Bursary -
available for single full-time students without dependants coming off Benefits
(Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance) to enter HE for the first time. These
bursaries, of up to a maximum of £1,000, can be awarded to students in the
first year of their course to ease the transition from Benefits to student
funding (attachment no.10).
Fee
Concessions
- HEIs also offer reduced fees on part-time courses for part-time students who
are registered unemployed, and encourage people who are long-term unemployed or
claiming Disability Benefits to apply.
For example, the Department of Continuing Education
at Lancaster University offers special rates on its Open Studies programme of
short courses for anyone who is long-term unemployed (£5 for selected 10-hour
courses and £10 for selected 20-hour courses) (attachment no.11).
Opportunity
Bursaries -
a Government initiative designed to address the under-representation of
students from disadvantaged backgrounds in HE. The Bursaries are intended for
young students aged 18-21 from families on low incomes and with little or no
experience of HE. They can be awarded to students applying for full-time
undergraduate degree, diploma of HE or HND courses, and are worth £2,000 for
three-year courses (£1,000 in year 1 and £500 in years 2 and 3) (attachment
no.12).
Tuition Fee
Waivers -
part-time HE students are not disqualified from claiming Benefits. HEIs can
waive tuition fees for students on part-time courses who are in receipt of
Income Support, Long-Term Incapacity Benefit, Working Families Tax Credit
and/or Job Seekers Allowance (also if they are a spouse of someone receiving
JSA and recognised by the DSS as a dependant).
3.2
Further Education Colleges
Benefits - FE colleges provide many
different study opportunities for people who are claiming Benefits, and Student
Guidance Centres (or equivalent) offer advice on studying whilst unemployed.
Publicity material (paper and electronic) usually contains a statement such as
'If you are currently unemployed you will find a wide range of courses that are
spread over the right number of hours to ensure that you do not lose any
Benefits'
(Lancaster & Morecambe College, a guide for 2000-2001, pii).
Fee Remission - free tuition on part-time
courses, adult education courses, and/or courses leading to a recognised
vocational qualification for students registered unemployed and in receipt of
JSA. This does not normally include waiving of the certification fee or any
material costs, and those claiming waiving of tuition fees as a result of
Benefit eligibility must provide documentary evidence of their Benefit
entitlement.
Learner
Support Fund
- limited amounts of financial support available in colleges to help students
from families on Benefits.
Rosemary
Hindley
Department
of Continuing Education
Lancaster
University
12/8/03
List of Attachments
1)
Job Quest (The Adult College Lancaster)
2)
Community IT Learning Centres (Blackpool and The Fylde College)
3)
'Link Up' (Blackpool and The Fylde College)
4)
Adult Employment Programmes/SKILLSBASE (Lancaster & Morecambe
College
5)
Basic Skills in the Community/Heysham Information Advice and Guidance
(Lancaster & Morecambe College)
6)
Curriculum 2000 (Lancaster & Morecambe College)
7)
New Deal (Lancaster & Morecambe College)
8)
Ridge On-line Café (Lancaster & Morecambe College)
9)
Programmes Plus (Preston College)
10)
Benefits Bursary (Lancaster University)
11)
Fee Concessions (Department of Continuing Education, Lancaster University)
12)
Opportunity Bursaries (University of Central Lancashire)