London Foundation Degrees – 10 Years On: Successes, Challenges and Solutions for London

Date:Thursday 4th February 2010

Time:09.30 - 15.00

Venue: Universities UK, Woburn House Conference Centre, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HQ

It is 10 years since the launch of Foundation degrees. To mark the occasion the London Lifelong Learning Networks and fdf (Foundation Degree Forward) organised London Foundation Degrees – 10 years on: Success, Challenges and Solutions.

This seminar was aimed at College and University staff with a strategic responsibility for business-facing Higher Education and income generation. It provided an opportunity to discuss challenges, collaborative working and future planning for Foundation Degrees.

Agenda

09.30 Reception

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10:00 Welcome – purpose and aims of the day
Morning Chair: Sue Betts, Director, Linking London Lifelong Learning Network

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10:10 Foundation degrees 10 years on
Derek Longhurst, Chief Executive, fdf (Foundation Degree Forward)
Click here to download the powerpoint presentation.

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10.30 London successes in meeting employer needs – an overview
Graeme Hall, Executive Director, West London Lifelong Learning Network
Click here to download the powerpoint presentation.

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10.40 Case study: Pan London Lifelong Learning Networks Health Collaboration – sustainable, employer driven Foundation degrees. Lessons learned

Kathy Tyler, Regional Director – London, Skills For Health
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Alison Hasselder, Course Director, Foundation Degree in Long Term Conditions, Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences, Kingston University and St George’s, University of London
Click here to download the powerpoint presentation.

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Dr Jan Walmsley, Project Manager, Foundation Degree Long Term Conditions, The Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust
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11:30 Refreshments

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11:45 Table discussion 1
This session will pick up the challenges and ways forward outlined in the morning session and explore the potential for:

• meeting London workforce development needs through collaboration and cross sectoral work
• generating third stream income
• cost savings through collaboration.

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12:30 Lunch. Tavistock Hall

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13:15 Introduction to the afternoon
Afternoon Chair: Susan Hayday, Director of Workplace Learning Strategy, fdf

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13:30 Challenges: addressing the needs of key London sectors

Developing solutions for employers and employees: opportunities and challenges for HE in the changing economic climate

Is there potential to develop a flexible framework to meet London employment needs?

Is the demand for sector specific or cross sector provision – such as in leadership and management?

Are there opportunities for income generation?

Panel discussion:

• Angela Maguire, London Region Co-ordinator, fdf (Chair)

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• Alistair Hudson, Relationship Manager, London, FSSC
  Click here to download the powerpoint presentation.

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• Richard Soers, London, UNISON

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• David Williams, Head of Business Development and Marketing, Middlesex University

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• Vince Glover, Operations Manager, Summit Skills
  Click here to download the powerpoint presentation.

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14:15 Table discussion 2
This session will consider practical ways forward and seek commitments for joint working

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14.45 Closing remarks

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15:00 End of seminar

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Notes from the sessions

Q. How do the LLN’s define vocational learners?
A. Those that do not have conventional A Levels and need a special case for entry to Higher Education.

Comment:

• To build on partnerships, it comes back to learners and employers; it needs to be demand led
• Employer opinions must be heard
• The public sector is an ageing workforce. Foundation Degrees can be used to progress young people, employers have to invest in skills.

Comment:

• There was concern how the HEI retrenchment of student numbers will impact on Foundation Degrees delivered in colleges and how the constraints on student numbers will impact on widening participation.

Q. What work could be done to include professional qualifications in to the frameworks?
A. Need to recognise professional qualifications for credit; however it is up to individual schools and faculties within institutions.

Q. How do we customise Foundation Degrees and then ensure sustainability?
A. We need to look at core units which can be used in different qualifications, outside of which are specialist units. There would need to use different delivery patterns.

Comment:

• There is a fear that if we do anything radical before a QAA inspection it will affect the university’s standing
• There needs to be a dialogue with QAA
• We know things are changing demographically so we have to make changes and this is not an easy journey, we need creativity and innovation.
• fdf: resources for Work Based mentoring and supervision will be going on the fdf website
• It is an interesting time and people want to listen to what we are saying
• While we are not sure what is going to happen in the future, the LLN’s in London have been extended to summer of 2011 and have the opportunity to work on collaboration across London.

Would you/your organisation be interested in the LLNs and fdf facilitating further collaborative meetings or work to take the agenda forward? Which sectors would you be interested in?

Would you be interested in receiving updates on Foundation Degrees and collaborative opportunities?

If yes, please submit a comment in the box below.