Linking London enters exciting new phase
Linking London, the unique network aimed at supporting all learners in the capital and hosted by Birkbeck, is to move into an exciting new phase, with a new funding model.
Linking London – supporting adult learners across the capital – enters exciting new phase
Linking London, the unique network aimed at supporting all learners in the capital and hosted by Birkbeck, is to move into an exciting new phase, with a new funding model, broader membership criteria and new priorities for the coming year.
Linking London was launched in 2006 to help vocational learners and employees seeking to access Higher Education, but lacking the information they need to make informed choices. Another key role was to provide a neutral, independent voice for its members, which range from small, adult-focused organisations to large multi-purpose Further Education Colleges and highly prestigious research-intensive universities. It was part-funded by HEFCE, with the remaining costs being met from partner subscriptions.
The HEFCE funding has now come to an end, meaning the network will now be funded solely from subscriptions, leaving it free to determine its priorities and methods of working. Membership is being extended to include not just colleges and universities, but also awarding bodies, training providers and unions. And a new chair, Dean Pateman, Academic Registrar at Birkbeck, has been appointed following the departure of Professor John Annette, Pro Vice Master for Lifelong Learning and Engagement and Professor of Citizenship and Lifelong Learning.
Linking London was recently praised by Sir Alan Langlands, Chief Executive of HEFCE, following a glowing evaluation report by research consultancy CFE. In a letter to Sue Betts, Linking London’s Director, Sir Alan said: “It is encouraging that Linking London has continued to invest in facilitating partnership and collaboration among the member institutions. This level of increased partnership working, both through cementing existing relationships and building new ones, is rightly highlighted in the evaluation as contributing to your success.”
Sue Betts comments: “London needs a skilled and highly educated workforce to ensure it retains its place in the economic market place. Londoners need access to learning that is relevant and available in a variety of delivery modes, and Linking London is all about creating these opportunities in the capital.
“The new network will build on our success and experience of the last five years. We have developed a new Business Plan, outlining our main priority areas for the coming year, which are: Access Agreements and retention; higher education in further education; engagement with employers , with a particular focus on apprenticeships; the gathering of important data, and information, advice and guidance. This is an exciting time for Linking London, and a real opportunity to raise the profile of vocational education at a time when a skilled workforce is more vital than ever to the UK’s economic recovery.”
Linking London has also been successful in securing funding from the Lifelong Learning Programme for a two-year project, starting on 1 October 2011, comparing, developing and disseminating best practice in institutional partnership and network working. The project will operate via a web-based e-forum with partners in the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal. It will focus on social inclusion and progression for working class individuals across the partner countries, and will concentrate on six core themes: the use of APEL/APL; work-based learning; continuing professional development; social mobility; community and civic engagement; and widening participation.
If you would like to know more about Linking London and its partners, or find out about how you can become a partner, please contact info@linkinglondon.ac.uk or visit www.linkinglondon.ac.uk