A major initiative launched two years ago to improve the skills of the Kent and Medway workforce is already making a difference, according to top educationalists.

Representatives of further and higher education colleges and universities gathered at the University of Greenwich at Medway for the first annual conference of the Kent and Medway Lifelong Learning Network.

They heard that Kent and Medway colleges and universities have agreed a system of recognised credits designed to make it easier for people of all ages to work towards vocational qualifications in stages, move between courses and engage in continuing professional development programmes.

Teams of education specialists are now available to provide information, advice and guidance to young people and adults seeking to acquire new vocational skills and build their careers.

The network is also working closely with an increasing number of employers in Kent and Medway to identify flexible and appropriate training programmes to meet workforce needs.

Dr Margaret Noble, chair of the Kent and Medway Lifelong Learning Network, said: “This is a tremendous and groundbreaking collaboration between further and higher education providers, the Regional Development Agency (RDA), the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), the Local Education Authorities and local businesses.

“We are building on the work of other existing partnerships such as Aimhigher, the Gateway Knowledge Alliance and the Kent New Technology Institute, Higher Education in Kent and Medway (HEKAM) and the Kent Association of Further Education Corporations (KAFEC).

“The infrastructure is now in place for the Kent and Medway Lifelong Learning Network to deliver. We have identified our key target sectors and we are working with employers and the appropriate Sector Skills Councils.”

“Already we are supporting 500 new learners through foundation degrees, bridging programmes and work-based learning initiatives. And many others are benefiting through the agreed credit framework, the approved Lifelong Learning Award and, of course, the advice and information now available across all colleges and universities, as well as through our website.

“In Kent and Medway just 24 per cent of the overall workforce have high level skills and, in some specific areas, this falls to just seven percent. The average for the South East is 30 per cent.

“Our research also reveals that one in six of the local workforce have low levels of literacy and numeracy.

“The vast majority of future employment opportunities in Kent and Medway will require intermediate and high level skills. We need to bring about changes to ensure as many people as possible can gain the level of skills they will need to gain and sustain jobs and careers.”

Keynote speaker Dr Kevin Whitston, Head of Widening Participation for the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) said: “It is early days but Lifelong Learning Networks across the country are making progress - strengthening partnership working; making advice, information and guidance more readily available; and sharing best practice. We need to sustain this momentum to really make a difference.

“Progression is the key to lifelong learning and the Kent and Medway Network is ideally placed to deliver progression for Diploma students, for those moving from further to higher education, and for workplace learners.”

Delegates at “The Way Forward” conference were invited to participate in a range of workshops, examining in detail the academic/vocational credit framework; supporting non-traditional learner case studies; employer engagement; and Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).

Summing up, Hugh Joslin, Director of the Kent and Medway Lifelong Learning Network, said: “We have a strong partnership between colleges and universities in Kent and Medway and this is benefiting vocational students and work-based learners alike.

“The workshops highlighted how attaining higher education can now be a reality for hundred of learners who previously thought it was not for them.

“Higher education is changing and becoming more accessible. The Lifelong Learning Network has a vital job in getting that message across to students, to lecturers, to employers and to the employees who can benefit.”

For further information about the Kent and Medway Lifelong Learning Network go to www.gohigher.org.uk, email: s.j.caswell@sre.ac.uk or tel: 01634 883193

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