To get more students with vocational qualifications and more students in employment into the network partners to study and achieve in HE

The overall aims of the LLN (further information can be found in our Delivery Plans)

• To increase the numbers of students entering higher education with vocational qualifications
• To increase the number of part time students entering higher education whilst continuing employment
• To help the target groups of students succeed in higher education
• To facilitate a change in the design and delivery of curriculum in H & W to meet the needs of the target students
• To involve employers in the development, design and delivery of curriculum where possible
• To provide a bridge between FE and HE for students, staff, employers, institutions
• To assist in the provision of clear information for all interested parties in the region
• To provide a wide-ranging network and infrastructure of communication

The LLN Team will work within the following principles:

• To ensure that the LLN covers both counties
• To ensure that the LLN operates on behalf of each partner institution
• To limit the cost of a core team, whilst maintaining a person-centred approach which ensures that appropriate links are made between the themes
• To fund a number of projects which may address particular concerns of one partner, but which can also assist the development of practice for all partners
• To embed the work within the partner institutions
• To avoid duplicating existing work or systems

The work has been divided into the following themes:

Curriculum development: we will work to  review the curriculum (initially for leadership and Management, and Health and Social Care, then tourism, heritage, media, leisure and culture) within the region; to identify any missing qualification levels which might block progression; to develop new curriculum to fill those gaps. We will also  develop new courses and modules specifically designed to attract the two target groups; and to adapt existing curriculum, so that the delivery becomes more attractive to the target groups (more use of weekend, summer school, e learning)

Progression and Learner support: We aim to set up progression agreements into and out of any course which has been developed with the assistance of some LLN funding. Each agreement will include a package of bridging support for students which might include skills development, and will also give help on how to access student support services within the particular college, thus empowering the students to maximise their chance of success. We will also conduct work on providing better communication and  information for all groups of staff involved in providing information, advice or guidance to students and potential students.

E learning and web presence: We will identify the current use of e learning around the network, and will then work with partners to provide more opportunities for students to study flexibly by making use of e learning. We will provide staff development, support and project funding to facilitate developments. We will develop our  Open Online Education Environment which will provide information for students, facilities for student discussions,  and the infrastructure for the communication around the network.

Monitoring, evaluation and collaboration: We will undertake research into the numbers of targets students entering and succeeding in higher education each year. We will conduct research projects for the benefit of the network and fund a number of projects to be conducted by partners. We will work to link partners as appropriate and  will try to ensure that a wide range of potential members of the network see a benefit to playing an active role within the network

Network Information

The latest network information can be found by clicking here.