3B: What is 'success' in meeting the needs and interests of learners?

 

At one provider, customers are encouraged to take up a range of locally available study and training, including distance learning such as learndirect and the Open University.

One older customer is now attending an IT class at the local college and is working on an Open University course, as well as doing voluntary work in the grounds of the local hospital while applying for work.

One provider has particularly effective links with employers and other partners. Employers regularly inform this provider of job vacancies, and some hold regular information and recruitment sessions at the centres, while others will come to the centres and carry out mock interview sessions for customers. Some employers also help customers with job applications. The organisation holds job fairs and careers events at its centres, which are well supported by local employers. Local employers are invited to attend its training activities. For example, staff from the probation service have attended drug awareness sessions, and staff from Jobcentre Plus have been invited to attend ESOL training and sessions on homelessness. The organisation uses other local organisations and partners to deliver some training. For example, a specialist organisation has delivered training sessions on drug awareness and the effects of homelessness. The managers of the ESOL programme have developed a network of agencies and authorities involved with the refugee community in the region. Several agencies are currently discussing the coordination of support for these customers.

 

‘I am Myrtle Taylor and I am 50 years old. I worked for 28 years on the Walworth Road, making hats, all kinds and I made riding hats. It closed down and they made me redundant. It was the only job I ever had. I liked it. Leaving made me sad. I had to sign on. I did not need to read and write before, I did hand sewing and machining.

‘I looked for six months for a job, but couldn’t find a job sewing like the one I had. [Coming here] felt a bit funny at first. I was used to doing my work and now I have to go back to school.’

‘My tutor helps me with reading. I am really proud of my spelling. I can write simple letters now. I really want to go back to sewing – doing it for so long and knowing nothing else. Now I will have to work in a shop or a supermarket. It has been important coming back to learn. I enjoy it – it’s made me learn a bit more. My goal is to be able to read, but spelling is my problem.’