1B: What is 'success' in learner achievement?

A provider of a New Deal Young Person programme records the annual retention rates and notes that these have averaged over 70 per cent over the past four years. In New Deal 25+, the average retention rate is 80 per cent over the past two years. The provider compares this with national averages. On a New Deal 18–24 programme, the achievement into jobs is 39 per cent. This is recorded in the self-assessment report as a good record of achievement. As well as operating such rigorous recording systems, staff acknowledge the achievements of their customers. When individual customers reach a milestone such as getting a job interview, the news is shared with the whole group.

One Workstep provider keeps detailed records of the outcomes of learning programmes. This enables the management to see that they have exceeded their target for progression to sustained open employment. They can also identify that two customers from the supported employment contract have moved into open employment in the last year, in addition to five other customers the previous year. Their tracking systems demonstrate that customers sustain their jobs beyond the six-month supported period and go on to achieve the sustainability certificate.

A third successful provider is able to demonstrate in great detail the achievement of its customers in the full range of its Jobcentre Plus programmes. The provider also compares customers’ achievements with those of their region. For example, customers from the Basic Employability Training programme and at the Programme Centres make particularly good progress into employment, exceeding Jobcentre Plus targets.

According to Jobcentre Plus figures for September 2003, this provider has the highest job entry rate in the district for its Programme Centres, and its Basic Employability Training has the third highest. Customers move into a wide range of occupations, and many gain permanent jobs. Their achievement rates on Basic Employability Training and Short Intensive Basic Training (SIBS) programmes are especially good – 71 per cent of Basic Employability Training customers and 67 per cent of SIBS customers achieve the qualification aims set out in their ILPs. Job entry rates for the New Deal 18–24 Gateway programme are satisfactory, and meet the Jobcentre Plus target. The Gateway programme is performing very well.

The provider records in detail the type of occupational skills that customers develop, such as IT and retailing skills. Success in the additional qualifications that customers can access, such as those in first aid and basic computer literacy, are also tracked. The provider is looking at ways of identifying the progress made by customers in term of ‘soft’ targets, such as their personal, social and cultural development.

 

Customers with one provider are required to present to an external examiner, giving details of their previous levels of study, professional experience and the skills they have acquired during the course, using a PowerPoint presentation.

Shola Akinwale is from Lagos, Nigeria. Shola says, ‘I heard about [the provider] from a friend. English is my second language. I wanted to learn more English. I can read now a little bit. I can write words and a few whole sentences. I have read my first book The Creature. It’s a Gate House New World book by Georgia Conway.

‘Being able to read has changed my life. I am looking for a job as a nursing assistant. Now I know how to read I can look for a job. I have been on a five-day-a-week Basic Employability Training course. Before, I worked for Central Park Hotel. I worked in the laundry washing and folding sheets and sending them around the hotel.’

 

Gisela Emanuel Ngombo has been in England for two years. Gisela says, ‘I am here about for three months. I am learning about my English because the Jobcentre is sending me here to learn and to speak good English. I like the tutor and the way he teaches me because he teaches me very well. Before I came here, I spoke nothing but now in three months I speak and I write some things in English.

‘Today I get my certification for my exam. My exam is going ok and [they] gave me a certificate. I am very happy.

‘I think for me when I finish my course I want to take the job. For me [it] is very difficult because I like to translate – it’s my dream. I like to translate maybe in the Home Office, maybe somewhere. But I don’t like the job for example to clean. But before to go to be a translator, I have to speak good English.’