21.12.2004
The University of Brighton is to lead a new three-year £3 million Sussex-wide project on lifelong learning.
The Sussex Lifelong Learning Network is part of a new government initiative to promote vocational and workplace progression into and through higher education, It is one of the first two lifelong learning networks to be funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England in the country.
The University of Brighton's partners in this venture include the county's three universities, the Open University, Sussex Learning and Skills Council, all colleges of further education in Sussex, the three local education authorities, the three Sussex Learning partnerships, careers service providers, Sussex Enterprise and a number of other representative groups.
The aim will be to build on work already carried out in the county and to develop a 'network of networks'.
Professor Sir David Watson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Brighton, said: " Much good work has already been started in Sussex, but the challenges are substantial. This network of networks aims to build on what has been done, to accelerate this work where possible, and to link together existing initiatives and areas of good practice throughout the counties of Sussex and in Brighton and Hove. It will also take a fresh look at some difficult issues."
These additional funds will be used to give more support to the learning needs of both employers and employees. It will also promote and develop 16+ career-related learning opportunities and increase the number of people taking up these opportunities. This will be achieved mainly through better advertising and by helping people understand the progression opportunities through different levels of qualifications.
David Smith, Director of Operations at Sussex Learning and Skills Council, said: " These additional resources will help link together and expand many of the initiatives started in Sussex by the FE College Consortium, FE Sussex Ltd and the commercial trainers' consortium, SCTP Ltd, with the development of Centres of Vocational Excellence (COVEs) and the focus on key training needs."
The new Lifelong Learning Network will achieve its aims through a number of different initiatives:
- Creating additional courses and showing clearly how progression onto them and from them works - so that people can see how their personal career path could develop
- Revitalising the current learning infrastructure, particularly with regard to vocational courses and non-traditional learners
- Working closely with employers to provide better information on training and professional development for their employees
Chris Thomson, Principal of Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College, who attended the final presentation that secured the bid, said: "I was most encouraged by the support given to the Sussex proposal and the confidence in our ability to deliver an ambitious set of targets."
Further information
For further information
contact Colin Monk, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Business & Marketing),
University of Brighton - 01273 642004
The Sussex Lifelong Learning Network is funded by a special award from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). HEFCE distributes public funds for higher education in England.
The partners in the Sussex Lifelong Learning Network are:
University of Brighton
University of Sussex
University College Chichester (UCC)
Open University South East
Brighton and Hove Sixth Form College
Hastings College of Arts and Technology
Sussex Downs College
Plumpton College
Crawley College
City College Brighton and Hove
Northbrook College
Chichester College
Sussex Learning and Skills Council (LSC)
East and West Sussex Careers
Brighton and Hove Local Education Authority (LEA)
East Sussex LEA
West Sussex LEA
Brighton and Hove Learning Partnership
East Sussex Learning Partnership
West Sussex Learning Partnership
AimHigher Sussex
FE Sussex
Sussex Enterprise
Sussex Council of Training Providers
Connexions
Open College Network Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Sussex
Examples of existing partnerships in Sussex are:
- The long-established Sussex Liaison and Progression Accord which provides a conventional progression route between schools, colleges and the higher education institutions. It enables local applicants, subject to their meeting standard entry levels, to gain a guaranteed offer (or interview for those courses where an interview is required) for the majority of courses at higher education institutions in Sussex. Last year approximately 1000 students from Sussex schools and colleges attended Sussex higher education institutions.
- Sussex AimHigher which works to encourage more students into higher education through activities such as mentoring, study skills, guidance, tasters and visits, applications support and guidance. It also works with employers, developing and producing information to employers and employees about work based learning.
- Action for Business Colleges (A4BC). The intention of the A4BC is to provide a comprehensive service to employers, including a brokerage service in key areas of accredited training which will link with the Local Skills for Productivity Alliance, through the creation of a network of accredited employer-focused colleges working with higher education institutions.
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022
