Match Up! New Free Progression Card Game
This new innovative progression card game has been designed for reps to use with learners to help them gain a better understanding of the range of qualifications on offer and where they sit in the qualification framework. This game will assist reps and learners to look at the different progression routes available as well as help learners in navigating their way round the many qualifications that have been developed. This fun and engaging activity can be used for Adult Learners Week, taster sessions or as part of a workshop or meeting.
To order your free progression game cards please email Yusuf Dadabhoy. The progression cards are limited to a maximum of 10 packs per order.
Progression pathways for all trade union reps
This guide is about progression in the work that you do to support union learners. It will help you to think about gaining skills and knowledge in advice and guidance, coaching, mentoring and facilitating learning. Download a copy of Progression pathways for all trade union reps (pdf).
Supporting Learners – Guides for union reps (2013 version)
The popular toolkit of Supporting Learners Guides for all union reps has been updated and is now available to download or as a printed copy. If you have any of the older versions please order the new ones because things have changed quite a lot. All new reps will get a copy as part of their basic training.
The guides include information, advice and guidance (IAG), tips on mentoring and coaching and information about the network organisations that are likely to be helpful when you are supporting learners.Guide 1: why and how union reps should support learners, Guide 2: sources of help for union reps to support learners, Guide 3: the role and skills of the union rep in supporting learners, Guide 4: useful extras for union reps in supporting learners. Download a copy of Supporting Learners – Guides for union reps 2013 (pdf).
Higher education at work: Making the case to employers
This guide is about the skills and knowledge you will need to make a case for support for learners who want to progress to higher education (HE). It refers to frameworks and provision in England, but will still be helpful for reps in other parts of the UK. Download a copy of Higher education at work: Making the case to employers.
Supporting union learners into higher learning – a toolkit for union learning reps
This toolkit is a flexible resource designed for unions and ULRs to support members in higher learning. The toolkit includes practical strategies for engaging and supporting members and working with providers and employers to increase opportunities into higher learning. Download a copy of Supporting union learners into higher learning (pdf).
An engagement checklist for higher education providers
What is the key to achieving successful engagement? How can providers make a real difference? What, exactly is the providers’ role? What could providers be doing at each stage of the learner journey? This guide offers some answers to these questions in relation to a key sub-group of workplace learners – learners in the workplace who are also union members. An engagement checklist for higher education providers (pdf)
Developing pathways to higher level learning for union learners
This paper sets out the current position on work undertaken by unionlearn, the TUC’s education and skills organisation, in relation to higher-level learning. It sets out the context of unionlearn’s wider objectives, current national policy in this area and early lessons from a national project aimed at supporting union members into higher-level learning. Download a copy of Developing pathways to higher level learning for union learners (pdf 1817kb)
Learning unlimited- A survey of union members and higher education opportunities
This survey of union members provides robust evidence that there is a large untapped thirst for higher education. However, many of these potential learners identify barriers – mainly time and money – to taking up courses. That is why the Open University discount offer to union members is proving a big help. Download a copy of Learning unlimited- A survey of union members and higher education opportunities(pdf 509kb) or complete the online form to request a copy.
Navigating the union learner journey
The national Trade Unions Aimhigher project was developed by Aimhigher Greater Manchester and unionlearn with the over-arching aim of generating increased demand for higher level learning in the workplace by developing a collaborative approach between unions and unionlearn, Aimhigher partnerships and higher education organisations. Download a copy of Navigating the union learner journey – Full report (pdf 634kb)
Higher Education Case Studies
Eleven case studies produced by unionlearn and Foundation Degree Forward (FDF). Download Higher Education Case Studies [PDF, 1.42MB]
CHECKLIST: Higher Learning in the Workplace
This checklist is based on practice developed through the fdf/SERTUC Accessing HE in the Workplace project, which also developed the guide Higher Education at Work: Making the Case to Employers.
Download CHECKLIST: Higher Learning in the Workplace [PDF]
The higher learning at work series
- The benefits of Foundation degree study for learners and employers
- Sources of further advice on higher learning for advisers and learners
- Workplace support for higher level learning – An introductory guide for advisers
- How Foundation degrees fit with other qualifications
- Higher education qualifications
- Making choices about higher learning – what you need to know
- Why LMI matters
- Choosing to take up higher learning opportunities while working
Getting Started with University-Level Work-based Learning
A useful resource for someone making a decision to study at higher levels is Getting Started with University-Level Work-based Learning, edited by Alan Durrant, Gareth Rhodes and David Young. Cost: £10.00
It is designed as a companion guide, written by experts, to help those new to work-based learning. It is aimed at workers and professionals considering, or just starting, a work-based learning (WBL) programme and is an easily accessible learners’ guide to university-level WBL programmes.
fdf and learndirect have developed two online resources that working learners considering higher education will find useful. Build on Your Experience: Introducing Higher Education at Work and Build on Your Experience: Starting Higher Education at Work are invaluable resources designed to help learners prepare for and commence work-based higher education programmes.
Please note, this resource is currently unavailable.
