Search Results | VOCEDplus, the international tertiary education and research database

Beyond responsiveness: promoting good practice in economic development

Regional development agencies (RDAs) for England are a government initiative with responsibility for encouraging an ... Show more
Regional development agencies (RDAs) for England are a government initiative with responsibility for encouraging and coordinating regional economic development. FE colleges also contribute to regional economic development as providers of education and training, employers and consumers of goods and services, and strategic partners in business development and economic regeneration. As major providers of human resource development, FE colleges should be involved in the policy and planning for RDAs. This paper examines the results of a 1997 Further Education Development Agency (FEDA) survey of the involvement of the further education (FE) sector in regional economic development. It provides case studies of good practice in nine FE colleges and uses these to demonstrate the impact on local economies and how the sector can play a key role in economic regeneration. The case studies illustrate economic development initiatives in the areas of skill development for employment, training for enterprise development, developing local economies, and regional strategic planning. Show less

Authors: Hughes, Maria; Kypri, Photoula

Corporate authors: Further Education Development Agency (Great Britain) (FEDA)

Date: 1998

Geographic subjects: Europe; Great Britain

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Series name: FE matters

Subjects: Skills and knowledge; Quality; Industry ... [+] Show more
Delivering Modern Apprenticeships

Modern Apprenticeships in the United Kingdom (UK) offer young people an opportunity to acquire a National Vocationa ... Show more
Modern Apprenticeships in the United Kingdom (UK) offer young people an opportunity to acquire a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) to level 3 in their chosen field while continuing in employment. This paper addresses the key issue of how best to deliver Modern Apprenticeships within further education (FE). It is based on research designed to identify, investigate and evaluate different models for the delivery of Modern Apprenticeships that have been developed in FE across a variety of occupational sectors. The research examines current provision in a cross-section of colleges and identifies successful approaches to delivery. The paper focuses on the following five issues: features of delivery relating to funding matters, curriculum concerns, organisation, partnerships and progression. These features are discussed within the context of actual practice in the 12 colleges researched. Show less

Authors: Armstrong, Paul

Corporate authors: Further Education Development Agency (Great Britain) (FEDA)

Date: 1997

Geographic subjects: Europe; Great Britain

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Series name: FE matters

Subjects: Apprenticeship; Finance; Quality ... [+] Show more
Enhancing GCE A-level programmes

The General Certificate of Education (GCE) A-level system involves students undertaking three subjects in depth ove ... Show more
The General Certificate of Education (GCE) A-level system involves students undertaking three subjects in depth over a two year period. Students progressing to undergraduate level have a significant knowledge of their subject area. However, this specialist system is limited in regard to the skills, knowledge and understanding likely to be required in the workplace. This bulletin examines enhancements to the A-level curriculum and is intended to help colleges of further education (FE) review their curriculum offer to 16-19 year old students on GCE A-level courses. Curriculum enhancements discussed in the bulletin are induction programs, tutorials, core skills, sport, cultural and recreational programs, General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSEs), and General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs). Show less

Authors: Holding, Gordon

Corporate authors: Further Education Development Agency (Great Britain) (FEDA)

Date: 1995

Geographic subjects: Europe; Great Britain

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Subjects: Qualifications; Providers of education and training; Outcomes ... [+] Show more
Getting the credit: OCN accreditation and learners with learning difficulties and disabilities

Some learners are unable to access the current academic and vocational framework in the United Kingdom (UK) and the ... Show more
Some learners are unable to access the current academic and vocational framework in the United Kingdom (UK) and the Open College Network (OCN) offers a broad range of programs at all levels to learners with learning difficulties and disabilities. Further education (FE) colleges are increasingly using OCNs to meet the accreditation needs of these learners. This document reports on a 1995 Further Education Development Agency (FEDA) project on OCN accreditation and learners with learning difficulties and disabilities. The project aimed to investigate the forms of OCN accreditation available and the reasons for offering it, the currency of OCN accreditation and the possibilities for progression and links to other forms of accreditation and qualifications. In addition, the project examined OCN assessment and quality assurance processes and evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of OCN accreditation for learners with learning difficulties and disabilities. Show less

Authors: Faraday, Sally

Corporate authors: Further Education Development Agency (Great Britain) (FEDA)

Date: 1996

Geographic subjects: Europe; Great Britain

Resource type: Journal issue

Series name: FE matters

Subjects: Assessment; Evaluation; Quality ... [+] Show more
Back to the future

The prototype Modern Apprenticeships were introduced in the United Kingdom in 1994 to provide young people with a p ... Show more
The prototype Modern Apprenticeships were introduced in the United Kingdom in 1994 to provide young people with a pathway to National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) at Level 3 or higher, including progression into higher education. The Further Education Development Agency (FEDA) undertook a project to investigate Modern Apprenticeships in their prototype phase, with a particular focus on the role of further education (FE) in the design, provision and management of learning. The project aimed to identify, analyse and provide guidance on curriculum models to support the development of Modern Apprenticeships beyond 1995 and enhance learning through FE. This bulletin briefly describes the project and its key findings. Show less

Authors: Armstrong, Paul

Corporate authors: Further Education Development Agency (Great Britain) (FEDA)

Date: 1996

Geographic subjects: Europe; Great Britain

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Series name: FEDA bulletin

Subjects: Apprenticeship; Management; Teaching and learning ... [+] Show more
Student stress in an FE college: an empirical study

During 1997, the Further Education Development Agency (FEDA) conducted a comprehensive study of student stress in t ... Show more
During 1997, the Further Education Development Agency (FEDA) conducted a comprehensive study of student stress in the further education (FE) sector in the United Kingdom. The research was undertaken on behalf of an FE college and involved the collection of both qualitative and quantitative information. The study examined the causes of stress and the perceptions of both students and college staff, and evaluated sources of college-based support. This bulletin presents the findings of the research and highlights the similarities and differences between staff and student perceptions. It describes the actions taken by the college as a result of the research study and highlights issues for the FE sector as a whole. Show less

Authors: Hayward, Abbe; Stott, Clare

Corporate authors: Further Education Development Agency (Great Britain) (FEDA)

Date: 1998

Geographic subjects: Europe; Great Britain

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Series name: FEDA bulletin

Subjects: Students; Higher education; Research ... [+] Show more
9,000 voices: student persistence and drop-out in further education

This publication reports on an extensive study of student persistence and drop-out in further education (FE) colleg ... Show more
This publication reports on an extensive study of student persistence and drop-out in further education (FE) colleges in the United Kingdom (UK). The study comprised a survey of students and staff in 31 FE colleges. Its main objective at the college level was to assist participating colleges in the analysis of their own situation in relation to student persistence and drop-out and to recommend strategies for making improvements. To achieve this objective, the research team examined local reasons for persistence and drop-out, the impact of any existing measures by the college to address this issue, college quality procedures and management information systems, and then recommended appropriate courses of action. At the general level, the study aimed to investigate the reasons for student completion and drop-out, the effectiveness of key college management mechanisms, and to make general recommendations for improving student retention rates. The major sections of this report are: general introduction and research context; statistical and survey data; qualitative evidence: student and staff views; conclusions and messages for colleges; information and quality systems; and, information and quality systems: conclusions. Show less

Authors: Martinez, Paul; Munday, Felicity

Corporate authors: Further Education Development Agency (Great Britain) (FEDA)

Date: 1998

Geographic subjects: Europe; Great Britain

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Series name: FEDA report

Subjects: Quality; Statistics; Providers of education and training ... [+] Show more
Value added: beyond A-levels to vocational programmes?

Value added refers to the use of statistical techniques for comparing the attainments of students upon entry to an ... Show more
Value added refers to the use of statistical techniques for comparing the attainments of students upon entry to an educational institution with their achievements upon completion of their course of study. Measurements based on value added allow for more equitable comparison of the performances of different institutions. This bulletin explores the meanings of value added, outlines it current use in colleges of further education in the United Kingdom, reports on a feasibility study to assess whether the value added methodology can be applied to General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs), and suggests strategies for using value added and for further research. Show less

Authors: Barnard, Philip; Dixon, Stella

Corporate authors: Further Education Development Agency (Great Britain) (FEDA)

Date: 1998

Geographic subjects: Europe; Great Britain

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Series name: FEDA bulletin

Subjects: Outcomes; Students; Performance ... [+] Show more
Planning a merger of FE colleges

Colleges of further education (FE) in the United Kingdom were incorporated in 1993 and thereby entered a competitiv ... Show more
Colleges of further education (FE) in the United Kingdom were incorporated in 1993 and thereby entered a competitive market-driven environment. Incorporation combined with stringent financial regulations led two FE colleges in Sunderland to undergo a merger as a means of sharing resources and ensuring continued growth and prosperity. The merger required major planning and the consideration of many aspects in order to put forward a proposal. This document is based on the Sunderland experience of coordinating a merger proposal and presents an action plan for colleges considering such a move. The planning process is divided into 10 stages and for each one the key issues are addressed and a checklist of factors to be considered is provided. The guide also includes directions on preparing the submission for the Further Education Funding Council (FEFC). Show less

Authors: Cass, Alan; King, William; Milton, Gerald

Corporate authors: Further Education Development Agency (Great Britain) (FEDA)

Date: 1997

Geographic subjects: Europe; Great Britain

Resource type: Guide

Series name: FE matters

Subjects: Providers of education and training; Higher education; Management
Improving college effectiveness: raising quality and achievement

This report is based on research undertaken for the Further Education Development Agency (FEDA) in the United Kingd ... Show more
This report is based on research undertaken for the Further Education Development Agency (FEDA) in the United Kingdom (UK) by the University of Huddersfield. As further education (FE) funding is directly linked to student retention and achievement, there is both professional and political demand for FE colleges to improve their effectiveness in these areas. This report critically reviews previous research, inspection and developmental activities, and current perceptions about effectiveness in the FE sector. In addition, it provides a summary of the considerable amount of work already achieved in relation to effectiveness and improvement in the school sector. The report contains chapters on the state of the colleges, definition of terms, school effectiveness research, research on issues relating to college effectiveness in FE, systems for inspection and improvement, frameworks for research and development, and recommendations. Show less

Authors: Somekh, Bridget; Convery, Andy; Delaney, Jean; Fisher, Roy ... [+] Show more

Corporate authors: Further Education Development Agency (Great Britain) (FEDA)

Date: 1999

Geographic subjects: Europe; Great Britain

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Series name: FEDA report

Subjects: Performance; Evaluation; Quality ... [+] Show more