SUPPORTING LEARNERS NEWS
ISSUE 9, APRIL 2013
SUPPORTING LEARNERS NEWS Introduction This is the ninth in a series of newsletters that has been produced to keep unionlearn staff, unions, project workers, union learning reps (ULRs) and other reps up to speed about:
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developments in the area of a publicly funded careers service that will affect existing structures and networks
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how unionlearn is responding to the changes to ensure that union learners at all levels receive the best possible information and advice to help them progress in learning and work
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other news, developments and resources that will help support members as learners.
The term ‘Supporting Learners’ is used by unionlearn to describe the activities of ULRs and other union reps when they are working with members to help them make choices about learning, to take up learning opportunities that are right for them and help them to progress in their jobs and careers. Whilst these activities involve all levels of learning and some elements of information and advice, they also include mentoring, coaching, signposting and facilitating learning. There is a Supporting Learners area on the unionlearn website, for information visit: www.unionlearn.org.uk/advice
Key issues for the provision of careers services for working people The National Careers Service (NCS) is a key partner for unionlearn and trade unions in providing free services for people in the workplace or for those entering the labour market for the first time, or re-entering after redundancy or a period of unemployment. However, the NCS has not developed a strategy for engaging with priority groups in the workplace, neither has there been any specific marketing of services to employers or employees. The NCS has had difficulties in effectively engaging with employers, but when unionlearn and unions have worked closely with NCS prime contractors in the regions, outcomes have been positive. In several cases, Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) have been agreed with, or the unionlearn Quality Award achieved by, providers of careers
advice and information, to facilitate active networking and tailoring of services to people in the workplace. Surveys and other evaluation exercises carried out by unionlearn have shown that people in the workplace are reluctant or unable to use a telephone helpline, may either be unskilled in using ICT or have no access to hardware, software, or to the internet in the workplace or at home, and may not be able to access face-to-face services due to work commitments including shift patterns. Marketing of the NCS has been minimal and unionlearn tries to promote the NCS through its website, events publications and by distributing posters and fliers for use in the workplace. Surveys regularly reveal that many
working people do not know about the service and are unable to access the website at work. Only 20% of respondents to a recent unionlearn survey have used the NCS, and 31% had used other services; many did not know about the NCS. Many of the tools available on the NCS website would be very useful to people in the workplace and also to those trying to find work or change career (e.g. job profiles, job market information, CV Builder). However, workers need to be made aware of these resources, they need workplace access to the site and also support to use these tools. Unionlearn has been pressing for a national strategy to be developed by the NCS and has offered to help in this development. Generally, there is a lack of understanding about
Inside this issue: Key issues for the provision of careers services
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New supporting Learners eNote
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Learner Voice Awards 2013
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Part-time university students numbers fall in England
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Climbing Frame App
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Adult careers advice and guidance: London
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Contact Us
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disadvantage in the workplace, and services are often focused on unemployed people, and others who are out of the labour market. Many working people are particularly in need of high quality free careers guidance, including the development of career management skills so that they ………..continued