Key Priority Areas
The partners identified key priorities for the future during year 2010/11 through the Spring Seminars. In summary while some priority areas and where Linking London could be of value, was dependent on whether the partner was an FEC or an HEI, there were several key themes that concerned both groups. These include:
- apprenticeships;
- access agreements (progression agreements);
- employer engagement;
- information, advice and guidance, (especially on fees); and
- the benefits to be gained from partnership and collaborative working.
- HE in FE
Further FE priorities
In addition for our further education partners the key separate priorities identified were:
- The development of a sustainable HE in FE policy, which offered value for money and a differentiated experience - there was also felt to be mileage in the network working in alliance with some key organisations
- Support work to evidence the value of Access diplomas. It was felt that collaborative working with the OCN London Region could be advantageous
- Developing further the apprenticeship offer.
Further HE priorities
For our higher education partners the key separate priorities identified were:
- A collaborative method to meet obligations under the new annual Access Agreements and in particular work in widening participation in collaboration with further education partners[1]
- Improving retention, flexibility of offer (short courses, use of APEL etc) and work around the learner experience or journey
- Developing links with Apprenticeship providers and work on progression issues or access to higher level skills.
[1] The policy framework for HEFCE put ‘social mobility, fair access and widening participation in that order’ Victoria Waite speech to Linking London’s 5th Annual Conference, SOAS, 5th May 2011.
