Flexing Up in HE recent developments at

Flexing Up in HE – recent developments at Northumbria University Sue Graham Work-related Learning Manager Regional and European Office External Relations Northumbria University October 2005

Background n Manager of a key Central service at Northumbria – Work-related Learning Services n Project Manager for Tyne and Wear Universities’ Single Programme-funded Project – ‘Work-related Learning: From Modern Apprentice to Graduate and beyond’

Two key frameworks at Northumbria n Northumbria Work-based Learning Framework n Framework for Corporate and Community Collaboration

Why should we ‘Flex up in HE’? n National Agendas – HE Bill, Skills Strategy, HEROBC/HEIF/Lambert Review – HEFCE Lifelong Learning Networks, Aim. Higher: P 4 P, HEFCE Workplace Learning Strategy n Regional – Aim. Higher: P 4 P, ONE, Regional Skills Action Plan; Tyne and Wear Economic Strategy and Priorities, Lifelong Learning Network n Employers & Sectors – New markets – International & Home, Organisational/ Business Needs, Sector Skills Councils n Institutional – Growth, Recruitment, WP n Individuals – Personal & Professional Development Needs, Learning Styles & Entry Behaviour, Mode of attendance

Challenges – what’s stopping us ‘flex up’? n Time n Development costs n Work pressures n Silo approaches n Resistance to change n Funding & resource n University systems

What is Work-based Learning? Work based Learning is… ‘… one of the very few innovations related to the teaching and learning aspects of post-secondary education that is attempting to engage seriously with the economic, social and educational demands of our era. In doing so it provides a fundamental challenge to existing practices and provides new possibilities for post-secondary pedagogy and education. ’ Boud, D. and Solomon, N. (eds)(2003) Work-based Learning: A New Higher Education OUP

What is Work-based Learning 2? n n n Partnership between organisation and university Learners are employed Work is the curriculum Current competencies recognised in negotiation of learning A significant element through workplace learning projects Learning outcomes assessed against a transdisciplinary framework of standards and levels (Boud and Solomon 2001)

The Northumbria Work-based Learning Framework? Incorporates the range of flexible work-based learning provision into one scheme. n Provides a broad and comprehensive structure from 10 credit points to a full workbased undergraduate or Masters degree n Enables negotiated bespoke programmes n Incorporates WBLF modules at Level 3 n

Framework for Corporate and Community Collaboration enables organisations to collaborate with Northumbria University to mutual benefit • makes ‘transparent’ a range of provisions, services and procedures • increases income • eight different models for collaboration ranging from accreditation of in-house training to a fully validated award delivered by an employer •

Some examples n Multi-professional working (NHS) n BA (Hons) Public Services Management n Generic Work-based completion for FDs n Credit Equivalence

Some quotes from learners “you get to know the individuals but also you get to know about their roles, what they are doing in their job and it’s also a chance for you to tell them about your own job, which is good, it helps understanding” “good that it’s been work based and you don’t have to trek down to the university, they come here” “I think it’s been a huge bonus it’s been work based, I think that’s what puts people off, having to travel” “it‘s got me speaking to members of staff I probably wouldn’t usually speak to…I think it’s got us all talking about things you wouldn’t normally discuss…. . ” “I see my staff enthusiastic, I see a change in the ward…a difference in the patients…the good links we have with the district nurses…. ”

Queries / Comments – please get in touch: Sue Graham Work-Related Learning Manager Regional and European Office External Relations Northumbria University 22 Ellison Place Newcastle Upon Tyne NE 1 8 ST tel: (0191) 227 3188 e-mail: sue. graham@northumbria. ac. uk