Employer Engagement and

Learner Outcomes

The South West Higher Level Skills Pathfinder Project

Deborah Winwood, Project Manager

The South West Higher Level Skills Pathfinder Project

Deborah Winwood, Project Manager

Aims and objectives of HLSPP To build on successful employer engagement

activity within the region to:embed HE in employer workforce development and

skills strategies regionally and at a business sector level

bring about a step change from supply-led to demand-led provision for businesses

By exploring and testing ways of connecting employers and HE on a regional basis to:Increase demand from employers for higher level

skills developmentHelp HE respond to them

HLSPP approach

Team of 12 Intermediaries testing methodologies to engage employers and assist HEIs/FECs to respond to demand led higher level skills development.

A capacity building fund to support the high risk activity of developing new demand led provision

Researchers exploring and interpreting existing and emerging employer engagement to identify barriers and drivers.

Development of an framework for accreditation and credit transfer. (Shell Framework)

HLSP Intermediary activity

Discrete funded sub-projects

Employer outputs – to March 2009

Designing and delivering an appropriate learning package

LevelLevel

FDs and NVQsFDs and NVQs

Masters & PhDMasters & PhD

DesignDesign

Off-the-shelfOff-the-shelf

TailoredTailored

Accreditation

Accreditation

UnaccreditedUnaccredited

AccreditedAccredited

ScaleScale

Small scale/ad hocSmall scale/ad hoc

Mass provisionMass provision

Full range Full range300 300 + + 600600

LL66

Designing and delivering an appropriate learning package

IV. Assessment or accreditation of in-company learning

e.g. awarding academic credits for in-house provision

III. Short bespoke courses, workshops and seminars

e.g. CPD, access to HE, forums (often unaccredited)

II. Enhancing existing provision

e.g. integrating work based modules into degree

programmes

I. Major new ventures with employers

e.g. new foundation degrees, MSc programmes

Aligning the fit

HE Providerscorporate plan

Employersbusiness plan

Learnerslife/career

plan

Benefits to learners

• Taste of HE learning

• Access to bite size learning

• Flexible delivery

• Option for credit accumulation

• Choice of accreditation or not

Benefits to employers

• Workforce development aligned with business critical functions

• Delivery to suit business priorities

• Access to expert knowledge and emerging technologies

• New or strengthened relationship with HE

Opportunities for HE

• Potential for increased P/T learner numbers

• Update knowledge of current industry practices

• New relationships with businesses that have potential for other collaborative activity aligned to strategic business plans

Supporting the provision• Drivers

– Capacity building fund to cover the development costs

– Academic with a passion for the topic or employer collaboration

– Employer with enthusiasm

• Inhibitors– Lack of academic

time

– Employers withdrawing their support

– Size of demand

– Funding of delivery

Defining the focus…

Aligning interests and capabilities

Working effectively with partners

Building on areas of strength/capability

Meeting the needs of employers, learners and HEIs Higher Skills Resources

•Higher Skills Toolkit and ONA•Higher Skills Case Studies