Enhance your CPD with European funding
Posted: March 21, 2012 Filed under: Thematic Networking | Tags: Adult Learning, CPD, Ecorys, education, EQF, Further Education, In Focus briefing papers, Lifelong Learning Programme, Study Visit, study visits catalogue, thematic networking, transversal Leave a comment »At the last Thematic Networking Event in Belfast, Thematic Networking Group (TNG) 2 discussed the findings of the Briefing Paper exploring how the LLP supports Continuous Professional Development (CPD) in the Further Education (FE) sector. TNG 2 members, including the chair of the group, Faye Hindle-Lewis, and myself did not expect to learn that every year the Leonardo, Grundtvig and Transversal programmes fund around three years of CPD time for FE staff across the UK! Read the rest of this entry »
National Apprenticeship Service Seminar: Apprenticeships, the International Context
Posted: February 22, 2012 Filed under: Apprentices, Leonardo, Lifelong Learning Programme, Thematic Networking | Tags: 2013 Call, apprentices, Apprenticeships, BT, In Focus briefing papers, Leonardo Mobility, Morthyng Limited, National Apprenticeship Service Seminar, National Apprenticeship Week 2012, Pearson Work Based Learning, Rolls-Royce, Siemens, Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training, thematic networking, TNG 3 1 Comment »
Leonardo Mobility gives young apprentices valuable experience with world leading European employers
On 8 February I attended the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) Seminar comparing international models for apprenticeship schemes, which took place as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2012.
Despite my slightly bleary eyes, as I’d opted to travel to London from Birmingham on the day, I was glad I’d arrived bright and early as it gave me the chance to chat to plenty of people, from organisations such as BT and Pearson Work Based Learning, before the presentations began. On explaining that the Lifelong Learning Programme had been given the opportunity to run a workshop on the benefits of providing European placements to apprentices, I was met with genuine interest and enthusiasm – definitely a good start to the day!
Leonardo gets behind National Apprenticeship Week 2012
Posted: February 10, 2012 Filed under: Apprentices, Leonardo, Thematic Networking | Tags: #NAW2012, David Cameron, DFE, In Focus briefing papers, National Apprenticeship Week 2012, TNG3, Wolf Review 2 Comments »The Leonardo team has been busy promoting the programme as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2012 (6-10 February) and my Leonardo colleague Michele Phizacklea will soon be posting an update about our involvement.
In the meantime, let me highlight how Leonardo ties in with apprenticeships, for those with an interest in this sector.
National Apprenticeship Week 2012
The benefits
Leonardo Mobility funding is perfect for training providers (colleges, employers etc) since it allows them to apply for grants to send apprentices on European work placements as part of their programme. The programme is a natural fit, since the apprenticeship model of ‘learning by doing’ is how Leonardo Mobility works too.
We’ve had plenty of success stories from happy apprentices, employers and training providers, which you can read about in our brochure, co-authored with the National Apprenticeship Service: European work placements for apprentices.
There is also a dedicated web page to give organisations an overview of what Leonardo offers.
Thematic Networking: The Value of Volunteering
Posted: February 8, 2012 Filed under: Thematic Networking | Tags: Adult Learning, Europe, european commission, grundtvig, Grundtvig Partnerships, Lifelong Learning Programme, manchester museum, opportunities, Senior Volunteering projects, The Institute for Volunteering Research, The Manchester Museum, thematic networking, volunteering Leave a comment »Volunteering is as much a benefit for the volunteer as it is for the wider community. That was the message expressed by delegates at the November 2011 Grundtvig European Conference on Adult Learning which I attended.
Volunteering provides people with a unique learning experience and a chance to share their knowledge with others. The conference highlighted how the Grundtvig programme supports these opportunities. 2011 was the European Year of Volunteering and my Thematic Networking Group, Group 4, looked at these benefits and how volunteering can help people with fewer opportunities to access education and training.
Thematic Networking: Achievements In Focus
Posted: January 19, 2012 Filed under: Thematic Networking | Tags: apprentices, Briefing Papers, CPD, Ecorys, ECVET, EQF, european commission, Further Education, grundtvig, leonardo, Leonardo Mobility, Lifelong Learning Programme, opportunities, qualifications, thematic networking, transversal, vocational education 3 Comments »At the Thematic Networking event in November 2011 we launched a set of four Briefing Papers to highlight the achievements and lessons learnt from the Leonardo, Grundtvig and Transversal programmes.
In the UK, thousands of projects are funded each year and the work that is undertaken is helping to develop the education and training landscape in the UK. We’ve highlighted some of the main successes in four areas related to our Thematic Networking Groups. Read the rest of this entry »
Thematic Networking: A little more about what we discuss…
Posted: December 15, 2011 Filed under: Thematic Networking | Tags: active ageing, CPD, Ecorys, ECVET, education, EQF, Erasmus for All, Europe, european commission, grundtvig, leonardo, Lifelong Learning Programme, thematic networking Leave a comment »As some of you may know our Thematic Networking group (TNG) activities don’t just celebrate the achievements of the Lifelong Learning Programme. They also bring together policy and practioners to discuss four key themes. Recently we told you about the event in Belfast in November, which you can read more about in our Executive Summary.
The four groups had really interesting discussions during the workshop sessions which we’d like to share with you. Read the rest of this entry »
Thematic Networking: Farry celebrates the LLP in Northern Ireland
Posted: December 8, 2011 Filed under: Thematic Networking | Tags: Belfast Metropolitan College, Department for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry, education, european commission, Gingerbread Northern Ireland, Leonardo Mobility, Lifelong Learning Programme, Northern Ireland, thematic networking 2 Comments »We were really pleased to welcome Northern Ireland’s Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry, to our latest Thematic Networking event which took place in Belfast on 23rd November.
The event was well attended with over seventy delegates from across the UK making the trip to Belfast to hear from Dr Farry, who spoke about how the LLP contributes to achieving Northern Ireland’s skills strategy. Michael Gould, Assistant Director of the Skills Division in the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland, presented the skills strategy in more detail. Read the rest of this entry »
Thematic Networking Event: Shaping the Future of Lifelong Learning in the UK
Posted: May 31, 2011 Filed under: Lifelong Learning Programme, Thematic Networking 6 Comments »
Thematic Networking event overview: ‘Reflecting on the Achievements of Thematic Networking & Aligning with Policy for the Future’, 24 May 2011.
For those of you with an interest in UK and European lifelong learning policy and practice, I’ve compiled an overview of last Tuesday’s Thematic Networking Groups (TNGs) event in Birmingham.
First of all, a bit of background. Hosted by Ecorys, the TNGs seek to integrate the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) into UK education and training at the planning level. They are made up of stakeholders and policymakers at local and national level (the people responsible for setting the direction for the UK) and also senior managers at education and training provider organisations, including LLP project representatives (who are ultimately responsible for implementing policies through learning provision).
