Creating opportunities through... Flexible Learning
Weston College was one of only 32 organisations across the UK to be awarded funding to develop flexible/blended courses as part of the DfE Flexible Learning Fund (FLF) pilot which runs until 31st July 2019.
The FLF courses have been developed in partnership with a number of local employers, to ensure that they address specific skills gaps and/or identified need.
The pilot courses are:
• Leadership and Management
• ICT User Skills, Enterprise Skills
• Understanding Autism
• Customer Care in a Health and Social Care Setting
• Maintaining a Tenancy.
They range in length from 3 days up to 20 weeks and are accredited by an awarding body.
A major benefit of this type of delivery is that learners do not have to take time out of the workplace to come into college to study. Delivered through a virtual classroom, the courses include interactive sessions, webinars, videos, virtual group sessions and online assessments. A college tutor is available to help learners throughout the course, running online Q&A sessions, webinars and marking uploaded assignments.
It has long been recognised by businesses that, in order for them to continue to innovate and grow, there is a need to continually invest in upskilling, retraining and the professional development of their teams. Alongside this, encouraging entrepreneurial thinking and supporting people to develop transferable life skills helps a local economy to diversify and grow.
The courses have been designed to offer transferable skills that can be used both within the workplace and outside of work. For example, the Enterprise course has a strong focus on understanding money management and project management. These skills can be applied to the management of a project within the workplace, but also applied to a project at home such as extending a property.
Although the courses only launched in January, there has been significant take up by employers with some of the courses fully subscribed a month in advance. Businesses have recognised how these courses can help with meeting specific business needs, but also helping to meet personal objectives of staff.
To find out more, please click here.
Jane Vivian, Project Manager of New Initiatives.
