Equal - Digital Repository

Aim

The Family Learning Works! DP aimed to design, develop and implement a work-based basic skills programme. This was underpinned by existing successful family literacy and numeracy models developed in other environments e.g. schools and community learning centres.

Objectives

The main objectives of the DP were:

• To undertake action research at local, national and transnational levels which drew on existing models of good practice and research to inform understanding and development of the project.
  
  
• To support the development of a family learning programme with a range of activities that stimulated participation and responded to the learning needs of selected target groups.
  
  
• To outline and develop the model of a learning infrastructure which enabled optimum delivery of the delivery of the programme. This included the recruitment and training of key players and support for a range of intermediaries including learning co-ordinators and mentors.
  
  
• To pilot the programme in the first instance in a variety of workplace settings in the Coventry and Warwickshire sub region. After modification following evaluation of the pilot projects the delivery of the programme was being extended across the West Midlands region following an invitation to tender process.

Background

These work-based gateways to learning were designed to help overcome barriers of accessibility to basic skills provision, recognising common problems faced by men and women whose work patterns may preclude opportunities for learning and training and who often lack confidence in supporting their children. The Partnership promoted the value and importance of family learning and tackled barriers preventing access to family learning by developing the role of family learning mentors who promoted the workplace as an effective environment for learning.

Main Outcome

Family Learning has proven to be a particularly effective route into learning and training. For parents from low income families, helping children is a major motivating factor for engaging in adult learning opportunities.

Warwickshire College
www.warkscol.ac.uk

Information for Transnational partnerships

Action 2: 30 September 2005
Action 3: 14 November 2005

• The project has demonstrated the added value that Family Learning can bring to workforce development and Skills for Life Agenda.
  
  
• A workplace blended Family Learning programme with supporting paper based and electronic learning and assessment materials has been developed and piloted.
  
  
• ‘The workplace as a learning environment’ has been developed and piloted as a quality standard/audit tool/good practice report.
  
  
• The project has demonstrated the importance of Lifelong Learning networks to support workforce development.

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