fdf Workforce Development – e-learning resources

Posted on December 13, 2011 by UVAC

As part of fdf’s legacy, we are pleased to present several sets of e-learning resources developed by fdf.

These e-learning resources have been developed to support access to, and the delivery of, work-based higher education. They have been developed to provide the institution, learner, and their employer with highly regarded content. The resources have been developed for use in a Moodle e-learning platform and in most cases are presented as a series of modules.

The resources offer a range of learning materials, activities and tools including, in many cases, a connection into an integrated Moodle/Mahara e-portfolio that offers individuals an institution-free, online ‘personal space’ for the recording of learning documentation and evidence.

Click here to go to the page.

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UVAC Conference 2011

Posted on November 21, 2011 by UVAC

The 12th UVAC Conference took place in York on 17-18th November.

Our thanks to all who presented keynote and workshop sessions at the event and all who attended over the course of the two days. We hope you found the conference interesting and stimulating. Click here to go to the conference page to see the keynote and workshop presentations.

Conference Evaluation

In order for us to continue to improve our conferences and events, we would very much welcome feedback so would appreciate it if delegates would take five minutes to complete our online survey. Click here to go to the survey. Many thanks in advance for your co-operation.

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Apprentices and Progression: Policy, Evidence and Practice – A National Conference

Posted on October 17, 2011 by UVAC

Tuesday 1 November 2011, 11am–3.30pm, University of Greenwich,
Old Royal Naval College, Park Row, Greenwich SE10 9LS

This conference, being run by University of Greenwich/BIS Apprentices, is an opportunity to hear the latest government policy, to discuss new research evidence on apprenticeship progression and to learn more about practical examples of developing Higher Apprenticeships on the ground. It will focus on how we can increase opportunities for the progression of Advanced Level Apprentices to higher-level skills, university degrees and the professions.

More information is available here and the booking form is here.

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UVAC Annual Conference – additional keynote speakers confirmed

Posted on September 29, 2011 by UVAC

We are delighted to confirm two further keynote speakers to our conference programme.

Professor Alison Halstead, Chair of the Skills Commission Inquiry into technical and higher level skills and Pro-Vice Chancellor for Learning, Teaching & Innovation at Aston University has agreed to provide an address on The Skills Commission Report on Technical Higher Level Skills –  the impact upon policy, implementation and in the context of the HE White Paper.

Simon Witts, Director, City & Guilds for Business will speak about the role of awarding organisations  in the development of the kills of the workforce at levels 4-8, in the context of the HE White Paper, partnerships with HE and FE and individual and employer need.

A copy of the current programme and further information about the conference can be found on our conference page.

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Mixed Economy Group website now live

Posted on September 13, 2011 by UVAC

The Mixed Economy Group of Colleges (MEG) are 39 colleges which offer Higher Education in an FE setting.  MEG provides a focus for teachers and managers in HE in FE to share ideas, develop policy and work together to ensure that Colleges offer the highest quality courses for their students.  Their website is now live, click here to find out more about MEG, its members and activities.

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University Technical Colleges – UVAC briefing events in September

Posted on September 9, 2011 by UVAC

Following the UVAC UTC briefing event held in the spring, and at the request of several of our members, we are holding two further briefing events in collaboration with the Baker Dearing Educational Trust.  These events are focused on the following:

  • Overall progress with the development of University Technical Colleges
  • Review of HEI and FEC involvement in the development of University Technical Colleges
  • Issues and lessons arising from applications to establish and the actual development of University Technical Colleges
  • Enabling HEIs and FECs to share their experiences in the development of University Technical Colleges.

In addition to Jane Ware, Director of Programmes at the Baker Dearing Educational Trust, we are delighted that Dr Henriette Harnisch, Director of Academies and Trusts Unit at the University of Wolverhampton, has also agreed to attend both events.  The University of Wolverhampton is co-sponsor of the Black Country UTC, which opens this month. Henriette has a wealth of experience from developing the UTC and is keen to share this experience with colleagues.

The events will take place at:

  • University of Hertfordshire – 23rd September – 14.00 – 16.00
  • University of Derby – 28th September – 14.00 – 16.00

To book a place on either event please email Caroline McKevitt at UVAC.


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UVAC Conference – sponsorship opportunities still available

Posted on September 9, 2011 by UVAC

Work-Based Learning and Higher Education Policy and Practice: The New Political and Financial Environment

17th and 18th November 2011

Royal York Hotel, York

There are still some opportunities to sponsor elements of our conference or book an exhibition stand.  Prices start at £325, making our conference a very cost effective way of reaching a wider audience.

More information is in our Sponsorship Options booklet or you can call us on 01204 903355 if you wish to discuss.

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The Independent Review on Social Mobility and Child Poverty

Posted on August 31, 2011 by UVAC

The Rt Hon Alan Milburn MP has launched his call for evidence.

This call for evidence asks for contributions from a wide range of people and organisations on how social mobility and child poverty can best be tackled. These include parents and young people, employers, schools, universities, the voluntary and community sectors, local government, and frontline providers.

It explores questions around how child poverty and social mobility are linked, what the challenges are and asks for ideas on what potential solutions might be. It seeks views on the Government’s strategies, ideas on how best to measure progress, and asks how projects targeting child poverty and social mobility can be set up, effectively evaluated and successfully rolled out.

The findings from the call for evidence will build on work already undertaken – including the 2011 child poverty consultation, three independent reviews by Frank Field, Graham Allen and Dame Clare Tickell, and the 2009 Fair Access to the Professions report. The responses will help Alan Milburn make recommendations on what action Government and wider society should take in order to raise social mobility and tackle child poverty.

Responses can be submitted via the Cabinet Office website until the 16th October 2011. The link is here.

If you have any questions about the call for evidence, please email the Milburn Review Team.

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The closure of fdf – future access to resources

Posted on August 31, 2011 by UVAC

Foundation Degree Forward (fdf) closed in July 2011 after eight years at the heart of employer engagement in higher education. A press release about fdf’s closure can be found on the HEFCE website here.

fdf was established in 2003 by the (then) Department for Education and Skills. Funding was provided by HEFCE. fdf was initially tasked with developing innovative approaches to the creation of Foundation degrees, with a very clear focus on establishing employer engagement in Foundation degree development.  fdf also worked extensively with colleges on enhancing their Foundation degrees provision.

In 2006 HEFCE broadened the fdf remit beyond the Foundation degree qualification to embrace an emphasis upon establishing and sustaining employer demand for appropriate higher education provision in general.

Where can I now find fdf’s services and resources?

  • fdf worked with employers and higher education providers to develop hundreds of Foundation degree programmes. These included innovative national Foundation degrees for the retail, ICT and travel industries (in partnership with companies such Tesco, BT and TUI) and programmes that helped to transform the NHS and social care workforces
  • fdf developed the Employer Based Training Accreditation (EBTA) Service that enhanced and accredited employers’ in house training. This service brought higher education opportunities to thousands of employees of companies such as Jewson and Murco. The EBTA service is now hosted by QAA and details can be found at http://www.fdfebta.co.uk
  • fdf developed web-based information, advice and guidance for work-based learners and their advisors. These resources are now hosted by unionlearn at www.higherlearningatwork.org
  • fdf developed e-learning resources that support delivery of work-based higher education in sectors such as Retail, Travel and Low Carbon Energy as well as an on-line programme for SMEs. These remain available at www.workforcedevelopment.fdf.ac.uk
  • fdf commissioned major research projects that examined the experiences of employers and students who utilised Foundation degrees. The reports remain available at www.heacademy.ac.uk/fdf
  • fdf produced guidance for those developing and delivering work-based higher education. Publications and guides remain available at www.heacademy.ac.uk/fdf
  • fdf produced case studies illustrating: innovative programme design; employer engagement; accreditation of work-based higher education; and student stories. These remain available at www.heacademy.ac.uk/fdf
  • fdf developed dozens of Foundation Degree Frameworks with Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) and sector bodies. These are available from SSC websites.
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Update on UVAC policy positions and recent activity

Posted on August 2, 2011 by UVAC

It has been a busy six months or so for UVAC, which have seen us focus policy activity on the following areas:

The Skills Commission – Inquiry into Technician and Higher Level Skills – A consultation event was held in partnership with the Skills Commission and with the support of the University of Winchester. The inquiry focused on the following questions:

  • What do employers need from technician and higher level skills training?
  • How should technician and higher level skills training be funded?
  • How do we ensure there are clear progression pathways through technician and higher level skills training?

The discussion at the event formed the basis of UVAC’s response to the Inquiry. UVAC has also been approached by and met with the Skills Commission secretariat regarding the commissioning and the production of comparative papers on delivery models for technician and higher level skills in Australia, Canada and the USA.  Subject to agreement, this UVAC produced report would be published alongside the Skills Commission Inquiry at a launch event in October 2011.

Turning Rhetoric into Reality – Implementing the Concept of Higher Apprenticeship through HE/FE Partnerships – Conference Report – This report outlines the discussion held at a conference sponsored by and held at Middlesex University on 23rd May 2011, which focused on how HE/FE partnerships could contribute to the growth, development and success of Higher Apprenticeship.  The event was attended by 45 delegates drawn from HEIs, FECs, LLNs and SSCs and featured presentations from BIS, the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), UVAC, the LLN National Forum and Construction Skills.  In addition to recording the issues raised at the event, this paper outlines a series of action points, proposed to enable HEIs and FECs contribute to the development and delivery of Higher Apprenticeship.

HE and Social Mobility – HE is a core priority in the Government’s social mobility strategy ‘Opening Doors, Breaking Barriers: A Strategy for Social Mobility’. UVAC contributed to UUK’s strategy and round table chaired by Professor Joy Carter, was invited to the Alan Milburn round table and has met with Cabinet Office officials.  UVAC has been invited by the Cabinet Office to work with our members and collect examples and analyse how approaches to work-based learning in HE can support social mobility.

We are also currently working with the Baker Dearing Trust to organise two briefing events (one South and one Midlands) on University Technical Colleges. The events will focus on the lessons of the first bidding round, particularly partnerships and employer engagement, and advice, timescales etc. on the second bidding round.  We are looking at holding the events in September.  More information will be in the website once plans are in place. On the basis of this work we plan to explore how we can produce a briefing paper for HEIs/FECs on their contribution to and involvement with UTCs.

HE White Paper – To support a UVAC response to the HE White Paper, we are proposing holding a networking event for UVAC members in early September focusing on issues such as greater diversity of provision, opening up the Higher Education market  and university/industry collaboration.  More information will be available soon. We are also discussing with the Skills Commission a UVAC input into a planned inquiry into Higher Education.

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