UVAC in partnership with the LCCI Commercial Education Trust held a reception at the London Chamber of Commerce on 27 June 2006 to celebrate the success of the Trust-sponsored guide, Integrating Work-Based Learning into Higher Education, and to announce the next phase of work in the programme.

More than 100 delegates from across the education and skills sector heard that, with the LCCI Commercial Education Trust's continued support, UVAC will produce a comprehensive support manual for universities and colleges on how to incorporate work-based learning in their vocational and traditional academic programmes. Aimed at tutors, curriculum designers and higher education managers and covering HE programmes across all levels and disciplines, the manual will aim to provide a wealth of information and advice, illustrated by good practice examples and case studies. Topics will include:

• engaging with employers
• organising work placements
• recruiting work-based learners
• workplace mentoring
• using National Occupational Standards
• linking to QAA subject benchmarks
• assessing work-based learning
• funding work-based learning
• meeting quality and validation requirements.

UVAC is calling on universities, colleges and training providers to offer material for the guide by sharing their experience and good practice in higher work-based learning. For details and a form to express interest, please click here.

Speakers at the event included Lyn Brennan, author of the guide, Integrating Work-Based Learning into Higher Education. For slides supporting her presentation on the guide, click here. To download a PDF copy of the guide, click here.

Other speakers were Graeme Young, chairman of the LCCI Commercial Education Trust, Hugh Tollyfield, Deputy Director of Skills for Success at the Department for Education and Skills, and Professor Simon Roodhouse, Chief Executive of UVAC.

Mr Young said the Trust was delighted to build on the success of the UVAC guide with support to develop a comprehensive manual on work-based learning. He also invited delegates to submit outline proposals to the Trust to further vocational learning.

On behalf of the DfES Mr Tollyfield welcomed the new programme. He pointed to the great potential for higher education providers to engage with employers to develop the UK workforce.
Professor Roodhouse said: "UVAC has been championing the benefits of work-based learning for many years and it is very satisfying to know that there are so many like minds wanting to lend their support. I applaud LCCI Commercial Education Trust for giving us the opportunity to help higher education providers combine work-based learning with the delivery of academic and theoretical knowledge."

For the Trust Professor Nigel Reeves added in a statement: "Higher education providers could undoubtedly make their provision more valuable to industry, employers and individuals by maximising the use of work-based learning. We hope that the support manual will help them to do just that."

For the press release on the event, click here.