Linking London Lifelong Learning Network – A Framework? Sue Betts Director

The London Challenge

London requires graduates with level 4 qualifications

Andreas Schleicher’s OECD annual report states we are ‘tumbling’ down the graduation rate tables – stalling at 39%

His report also highlights some 30% of HE starters failing to complete

We have now been overtaken by Slovakia, Ireland and Portugal in the number of school leavers we send to university

Linking London Update and the Challenge 2009

We are now a partnership of 35

We are currently funded until July 2010

We are now talking to partners about 2010 – 11

The funding body HEFCE have agreed to role forward unspent budget (2010 – 11) with some co-funding from partners

After that the partnership – Linking London - is on its own

Linking London – what have we learnt so far – the sum is >

Funding is critical – clear mission or business plan – partner ‘buy in’Good partnership working takes timeWork on communication is vitalResources – external to each partner have had an impact over and above their costThe project has to change and evolveThe central team has to add value

Linking London – what have we done well

Publishing ‘The Progression Report 2006 – 09’Helped develop new courses (25) with HE for areas of employment where there were gaps - Local Councils, Youth work, Health Service etcEnsured a more consistent response to vocational learners – almost 50 Progression Agreements signedCommissioned research on employer needsWorked with a variety of stakeholder bodiesLobbied on behalf of partners about issuesSupported staff working in new areas e.g. Diplomas, Widening Participation Strategic Assessments etc

Linking London – what have we done well?

We have brokered partnerships, supported partners with ASNs (£1.3m)and development funds (£750K) to fill gaps in provision – case studies allow us to share good practiceWe have brokered the engagement of partners with stakeholders – SSCs, the LSEB, fdf, unionlearn, UCAS, LSC etc We have publicised work through our publications and the website www.linkinglondon.ac.uk

Linking London Lifelong Learning Network – what still needs to be done

A framework implies something far more predictable and static than our partnership or the policy agenda at the present timeSophistication around the educational offer, especially for part-time vocational learnersTransparency is a big issue around admissions, APL, credit etc and greater flexibility for learners where required Partnership working in the future requires building on the trust and commitment of the partners

Linking London - the challenge

However a period of nil growth is not helpful in collaborative planning

Issues in London – unique – half of HE provision in the country is in the capital

Partners are very diverse and not ‘equal’

Quality not quantity seems to be the emerging mantra

As the central team we have to ‘add value’ to the partners

Linking London – the challenge

In the short, medium and long term

Responsibility to HEFCE until 2010 – Was the proposition sound? Were the tools appropriate?

35 different partner agendas?

Independent broker, advocate and lobbyist – ‘with no axe to grind’ – UCAS pilot

Support for new work – Economic Challenge Investment Fund – Queen Mary and Westminster

European engagement and future funding opportunities

Linking London – what we do know

We have staff with a range of appropriate skillsThe partners value what we doWe answer to a Board made up of all partnersBirkbeck, University of London, our host are prepared to house us in the future as their contribution in kindHEFCE is supportive – as long as the partners are on board

Linking London – the future

We have two further years to develop the proposition 2009 – 11We are getting better at telling people what we do – the LinkOver the next two years we could help to establish a firm foundation for future HE/ FE strategy work in London – seamless progression across all levelsA range of issues could be addressed collectively - we know as an LLN partnership we are stronger

Thank you for listening www.linkinglondon.ac.uk