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[This paper] reports research findings on the [UK] government's proposal for adults aged 24 and above, who study for qualifications at level 3 and above, to make greater contributions to the costs of their learning. The government proposes to remove grant funding for these further education learners and courses. This will allow the government to focus investment on younger and lower-qualified learners who are less likely to invest in themselves. Instead, the government will provide income-contingent loans to cover the resulting upfront costs, in line with its principles of promoting fairness and personal responsibility. These 24+ Advanced Learning Loans will be made available to new learners from the 2013 to 2014 academic year, with the first full year expected to be the 2014/15 academic year. [Department for Business, Innovation and Skills] BIS carried out an impact assessment to show the economic costs and benefits of this proposal, and an equality impact assessment to look at how the proposal will affect different types of learners. This research provides a greater understanding of four specific learner groups: those aged 40+, and particularly those out of work; those with mental or physical disabilities or learning difficulties that have particular needs regarding communication and information; those seeking to take up Advanced/Higher Apprentices; and Muslim learners. This research indicated that most learner groups are unlikely to be put off by the loans proposition, provided it is communicated effectively. It also highlighted groups which are likely to face specific issues and challenges.

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[This report is the] UK government's response to the Wilson review of business-university engagement. [It] sets out what the government will do to build on acknowledged strengths to create the best conditions for universities and businesses to work together to create prosperity over the next decade. [It] covers government initiatives to promote employability skills, research and innovation, work placements and internships, and university-business collaboration at the local level.

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As part of the Australian Government's contribution to the National Partnership on Youth Attainment and Transitions, existing youth, career and transitions programs were consolidated into two new programs from 1 January 2010: School Business Community Partnership Brokers and Youth Connections. Youth Connections provides a safety net for young people who have disconnected or are at risk of disconnecting from education, and offers flexible case managed support and services that recognises the role that family and community play in a young person's wellbeing and development. The purpose of the outcomes framework and evaluation strategy is to define the Australian Government's objectives of the Youth Connections program and how those objectives contribute to the goals set by the National Partnership on Youth Attainment and Transitions.

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The project was commissioned in response to feedback from a Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) discussion paper, The Bologna Process and Australia: next steps. The Bologna Process is part of a European initiative aiming to establish a single European Higher Education Area by 2010, focusing on curriculum and quality assurance. A key outcome is the Diploma Supplement that is currently being issued to graduates by higher education institutions in large numbers of European countries. The aim of this project was to develop an agreed template for an Australian version of the European Diploma Supplement and to make recommendations on detailed implementation and management strategies. The key recommendation from the project is for the introduction of an Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement that will take the form of documentation provided to graduates by awarding institutions in addition to the degree or diploma certificate or testamur. Its purpose will be to make qualifications more portable and their value more transparent by providing descriptions of the nature, level, context and status of the studies that were pursued and completed by graduates, as well as information about the education system to which the qualification belongs.

Related documents are indexed at TD/TNC 99.403 and TD/TNC 99.404. Show less

This report provides information on the factors affecting participation of regional students in Australian universities. In particular, it examines the relative importance of socioeconomic status and access to university in influencing higher education participation across regions. The report shows that regional participation in university among 19-21 year-old students increased from 18 per cent in 1996 to 21 per cent in 2006. However, university participation among metropolitan students increased faster from 28 per cent to 35 per cent, so that the gap between regional and metropolitan participation increased from 10 percentage points to 12 percentage points. The report finds that lower socioeconomic status, as measured by education and occupation levels, explains most of the gap in participation between regional, outer metropolitan and inner metropolitan areas. While proximity to campus matters, the report finds that access to university appears to have less influence on university participation than socioeconomic status.

Published summary from DEEWR website. Show less

This strategy sets out how the UK government and the whole education sector will work together to build on existing strengths in higher and further education, in UK schools overseas, in educational technology and products and services, and in delivering English language training. The strategy covers: (1) welcoming and supporting international students; (2) supporting transnational education (supporting British schools and colleges operating overseas, developing ‘end-to-end’ English language training, and strengthening quality assurance); (3) providing leadership in education technology (actively encouraging development of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), and launching a design call, through the Technology Strategy Board, on commercialising education technology); (4) developing international relationships; and (5) building the UK brand and taking up opportunities overseas.

The strategy is accompanied by an analytical narrative that identifies a number of challenges facing the UK education sector and a one-page statistical factsheet. Show less

[This report] presents the findings of research into the prior skills and qualification levels of adults aged 19 and over on adult learner responsive (ALR) learning provision in 2010/2011. The research aimed to understand the extent to which investment in ALR learning provision is being directed toward up-skilling individuals with lower skill levels. [This report] also explores the profile of learners undertaking such courses and those undertaking their first level 2 learning, in demographics, employment status and income, and to investigate why learners take up these courses.

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In a competitive business environment employers need to be sure that their business is reaching its full potential. While there is no magic fix for unlocking business potential, building the language, literacy and numeracy skills of employees can have a significant impact on business operation. This booklet provides a starting point for tackling language, literacy and numeracy issues in the workplace, improving communication processes and building workforce capability. This can bring significant business benefits including: productivity growth; better communication, teamwork and cooperation; increased employee morale and willingness to develop new skills; improved customer relations; successful introduction of quality processes; a safer workplace; and better compliance with workplace legislation.

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Under the Equality Act 2010, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), as a public authority, is legally obliged to give due regard to equality issues when making policy decisions - the public sector equality duty, also called the general equality duty. Analysing the effects on equality of these regulations through developing an equality impact assessment is one method of ensuring that thinking about equality issues is built into the policy process, and informs Ministers' decision making. The general equality duty covers the following protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

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The learning in this workbook is intended for people working in or wanting to work in the community services industry. Many community services clients have problems with housing. Chapter one develops an understanding of the role of social housing in community services. Chapter two looks at the issues that affect the social housing sector such as homelessness, housing affordability and clients with complex needs. Chapter threes establishes the values and attitudes of the social housing sector. There is a final assessment at the end of the workbook.

In this collection there are 11 workbooks and one ‘Trainer’s guide’ on CD ROM; they are indexed from TD/WELL 94.05 to TD/WELL 94.16. Show less