[NIFL-WORKPLACE:634] News from the Workplace Basic Skills Network

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apologies for cross-posting

-----Original Message-----
From: Chatterjee, Neil [mailto:neil.chatterjee@lancaster.ac.uk]
Sent: 12 November 2002 10:54
NEWS FROM THE WORKPLACE BASIC SKILLS NETWORK
NOVEMBER 2002
 
In this month's update:
 
1.  Forthcoming Workplace Basic Skills Network Events
	-         Annual Residential Conference and AGM - November 13th & 14th
(Birmingham)
	-         Seminar - December 5th (Guildford)
2.  Professional Development
	-         BDB1
	-         Adapting the Curriculum (Health Sector) - 10th December
(Reading)
3.  Network Membership and Bulletin
4.  SLIM Learning Themes
5.  Skillswise Programmes
6.  Other Events
- DfES 'Skills for Life' Strategy Conferences
- ESCOL SIG Conference
- Sustainability and Strategy Conference
- Learning and Skills Research Network Sixth Annual Conference
- SCUTREA Conference, University of Wales
- Literacy and Education Research Network Conference on Learning
- EDEXCEL EVENT
7.  Useful Information

1.  FORTHCOMING WORKPLACE BASIC SKILLS NETWORK EVENTS
	 
These events are for practitioners, training providers, and other agencies
involved in workplace basic skills delivery.
 

*** Wednesday 13th November and Thursday 14th November 2002.
Workplace Basic Skills Network Annual Residential Conference and AGM, The
Hilton Metropole, National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham 
'The Stakeholder in Workplace Basic Skills'
 
Highlights of this event will be included in next month's email update.
 
* Registration for this event is now closed *
 
*** Thursday 5th December 2002, 10am-2.30pm
Workplace Basic Skills in the South East: Seminar, Engaging the Employer
Carlton Hotel, London Road, Guildford
 
This conference will allow you to find out more about the regional strategy in
the South East and to explore in some depth how to engage employers by
understanding the business perspective.
 
Keynote Speakers:
 
*John Tempest, Regional Coordinator for the South East, Adult Basic Skills
Strategy Unit: An update on the national strategy and the implications for the
region in relation to workplace basic skills

*Barbara Bicknell, Skills Development Fund Manager, SEEDA: An overview of the
SEEDA workplace basic skills strategy for the region
 
This event is free for organisations based in the SEEDA area, although some
places are available to those based outside the South East.  For further
information and to register your interest regarding this event, please contact
Roberta Herd, tel 01524 592280, email r.herd@lancaster.ac.uk
<mailto:r.herd@lancaster.ac.uk>

2.  PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
 
*** BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS 1

The Breaking Down Barriers 1 (BDB1) programme has been re-accredited at level 4
to reflect the new requirements from September 2002 for basic skills teacher
training qualifications. Information about the new course has been sent to
every LSC and further details about the changes to the new BDB1 programme can
be read in the Autumn/Winter edition of the Bulletin.  If you'd like to
commission one of these revised courses, or if you have any further queries
concerning eligibility requirements, please do not hesitate to contact us on
pdenquiries@lancaster.ac.uk <mailto:pdenquiries@lancaster.ac.uk> or by phoning
01524 592273.
 
***FORTHCOMING BDB1 COURSES  

If you live in one of these areas get in touch with the named contact.  If you
live outside these areas, then contact the Professional Development Team at the
Network and/or your local LSC so we can log your interest in forthcoming
courses.
 

***	Greater Merseyside LSC            18th/ 29th November/ 10th December
2002
Contact: Margaret Roberts, tel: 0151 6723553 / e-mail:
margaret.roberts@lsc.gov.uk <mailto:margaret.roberts@lsc.gov.uk>
***	Derby(ROWA) 20, 21, 22 November2002
	 Contact:Patricia McLoughlin tel: 01629 585603
	***        Greater Manchester LSC            4, 11, 18 December 2002
Contact:  David Deegan, tel: 0161 2610455
***	Lancashire LSC	    16, 17, 30, 31 January 2003
Contact:  Barbara Gill, tel: 01772 443001
***	Surrey LSC		20th/27th January/ 3rd February 2003
Contact: Anne Tompsett, tel: 01483 803275 / e-mail: anne.tompsett@lsc.gov.uk
***	London South LSC	22, 29 January & 5 February 2003
		Contact: Virginia Waterhouse, tel: 0208 9294726 / email:
virginia.waterhouse@lsc.gov.uk
***	Kent and Medway LSC		3, 10, 17 February 2003
	Contact: Heather Corten, tel: 01732 876873 / email:
heather.corten@lsc.gov.uk
***	Tees Valley LSC		26 February & 5, 13 March 2003
	Contact: Val Grainger, tel: 01642 743151 / email:
valerie.grainger@lsc.gov.uk

 
*** ONE-DAY COURSES
 
The Network is currently developing a series of one day courses to complement
our Certificate courses.  So far courses are available in Organisational Needs
Analysis and Marketing, and a course is being developed in Using the Internet
in Workplace Basic Skills.  The next course is Adapting the Curriculum (the
first course has a health focus, see details below). Watch this space for
details of 'open access' courses.  If you would like to commission one of these
courses for a group of practitioners in your area, contact Jo Kendall,
Professional Development Systems Manager, on 01524 592825 or email
pdenquiries@lancaster.ac.uk <mailto:pdenquiries@lancaster.ac.uk>. 
 
 
*** Tuesday 10th December 2002, 10am-4pm
ADAPTING THE CURRICULUM (HEALTH SECTOR)
The Business Centre, 100 Longwater Avenue, GreenPark, Reading
 
This specialist workplace basic skills course will explore curriculum
development within your practice using the context of the healthcare sector as
an example.  It will also support you in delivering 'Skills for Life', the
national adult literacy and numeracy strategy.
 
Course Overview
	-          Understanding the Context
Find out how 'Skills for Life' relates to the NHS.  Who in the NHS cares about
language, literacy and numeracy skills development and why?
 
	-          Developing the Curriculum
Enhance your knowledge and learn how to design a structured learning programme
that meets management priorities, engages the learner and adds value to the
workplace.  Create ideas for producing appropriate materials and learning
activities.
 
	-          Communicating value
Learn to explain how the curriculum benefits the workplace.  Discover how to
evaluate the curriculum and share the results with stakeholders.
 
	-          Outcomes
Participants will gain:
An understanding of the NHS context in line with their own practice.
Knowledge of how to design a curriculum that adds value to the workplace.
Strategies in reporting benefits effectively to stakeholders.
 
 
Who should attend?
 
	-          Participants will benefit most from this course if they have
already attended the Core-Curriculum Training.
	-          Experienced basic skills practitioners who plan to deliver
in the health sector.
	-          Basic skills practitioners with workplace experience
	-          Basic skills coordinators, managers who may be looking to
market basic skills to the health sector but don't plan to deliver the courses
themselves.
	-	Basic skills professionals wanting to expand their
understanding of the practicalities involved in developing workplace provision.
	 
This course is FREE to those organisations based in the SEEDA area.  For all
other organisations, there is a charge of £80.00 for non-members and a
discounted charge of £65.00 for members of the Network.  For further
information on this course and other professional development courses, and to
register your interest regarding this event contact Chris Dealtry, tel: 01524
592887/ email: c.dealtry@lancaster.ac.uk <mailto:c.dealtry@lancaster.ac.uk>.
Closing date for registration: 29th November 2002
 
3.  NETWORK MEMBERSHIP AND BULLETIN
 

***You can find details of how to join the Network on our website:
<http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/wbsnet>.
Join to receive our bulletins and discounted rates at our events and activities
- and to support our work. Alternatively, you can ask to receive details about
membership by e-mailing Sally Lewis: sally.lewis@lancaster.ac.uk
<mailto:sally.lewis@lancaster.ac.uk>.  The Autumn/Winter bulletin is available
now to Network members.
 

4.  SLIM LEARNING THEMES
 
SLIM learning themes provide an opportunity to focus in on and explore a key
issue for skills and learning in the South West, for a defined period. Topics
are chosen to reflect priorities identified by strategic partners and
practitioners in the region and outcomes are fed back to key decision makers.
Learning Themes therefore, represent an opportunity, not only to increase your
awareness and understanding of core subjects, but also to influence policy by
participating in a recognised regional consultation process.
 
The next theme will be Skills & Learning: Improving Public Health
In this Learning Theme you will have the opportunity to explore a range of
questions including: 
	*	What strategies have been effective in linking learning and
skills with positive health outcomes? 
	*	What support and incentives do practitioners need to improve
collaboration across the learning and health fields? 
	*	Where is the effective practice and what lessons can be
learned? 
	*	What role can strategic bodies in the fields of learning and
health play in ensuring that there is better "joining up" at the local level?
Please visit the SLIM website  <http://www.swslim.org.uk/themes.asp> and
register to join the email discussion.

 
5.  SKILLSWISE PROGRAMMES
 
The BBC are repeating a series of Skillswise programmes that you may wish to
record during the late night Learning Zone slot on BBC2 in November. The
'Workplace Skills' programme may be of particular use to practitioners. Details
of Skillswise programmes can be found at
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/lzone/results.shtml?skillswise_all>

#New Skills and Technology for Tutors	05.00-06.00  November12th.
How tutors and teachers in a range of settings can use ICT as a tool to help
adult learners improve their basic literacy and numeracy skills.
For further information or copies of the video, call BBC Learning Advice on
08000 150 950. This programme is free from recording restrictions. 
 
#Essential Skills for Workplace Safety	05.00-06.00  November13th
Modules which reinforce the value of developing literacy and numeracy skills to
prevent and deal with potential hazards and accidents in the workplace, with
scenarios ranging from reading the signs to reporting the incident.
For: Tutors, trainers, union learning reps, employees and students to use
alongside practical web-based resources at www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise.

#Skillswise Online Users' Guide	 05.00-06.00  November 14th.
How to use the Skillswise adult literacy resources for learners and tutors.
Followed by:
# Essential Skills in Health & Care
How health workers can boost their skills.
 
 
6.  Other Events
 
*** DFES 'SKILLS FOR LIFE' STRATEGY CONFERENCES - 14th November (Manchester),
26th November (London)
 
Two major 'Skills for Life' conferences are being organised jointly by the NRDC
and the Adult Basic Skills Strategy Unit in Manchester and London on the 14th
November and the 26th November respectively. For further information on these
events contact the conference hotline, tel: 0121 777 1001 or email:
skillsforlife@rslive.co.uk <mailto:skillsforlife@rslive.co.uk>
 
*** ESOL SIG CONFERENCE
Saturday 16th November 2002
St. Bride's Institute, nr Fleet Street, London
The International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language
(IATEFL) acquired a new Special Interest Group (SIG) at last year's IATEFL
Conference. This SIG is dedicated to teachers who teach English to people whose
first language is not English and who are settled in a country or environment
where English is the main language spoken. 
If you would like to attend please contact the SIG co-ordinator, Philida
Schellekens; email philida@schellekens.co.uk <mailto:philida@schellekens.co.uk>
for an application form and further information.
 
*** SUSTAINABILITY AND STRATEGY CONFERENCE - NORTHWEST
Conference and workshop organised by the North West Festival of Skills and
Learning with
Learning Northwest and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

This free conference will be the major consultation event for the development
of a common Regional Framework for Promoting Learning Demand -  and will
integrate the NW Festival legacy into the Framework. Learning Northwest urges
all member organisations to send a representative and ensure that your voice is
heard.
 
The conference takes place at Ewood Park (Blackburn Rovers Ground) on Tuesday
December 10th, 2002. Attendance is free, but places are limited.
E-mail to hamid.patel@blackburn.gov.uk <mailto:hamid.patel@blackburn.gov.uk> or
phone 01254 841034
 
 
*** LEARNING AND SKILLS RESEARCH NETWORK SIXTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE: LEARNERS'
JOURNEYS - THE ROLE OF RESEARCH.  
The sixth annual conference of the Learning and Skills Research Network will be
held on 11-13 December 2002, at University of Warwick.  Go to
www.lsda.org.uk/research/lsrn/conference.asp
<http://www.lsda.org.uk/research/lsrn/conference.asp> for further information.
Includes a presentation by Fiona Frank from the Network on her five-year follow
up study of workplace basic skills in a public sector organisation in Brazil.
 
 
*** SCUTREA 2003
Conference - University of Wales, Bangor 1-3 July 2003 - Call for papers.
Speaking in tongues: languages of lifelong learning
 
We welcome papers that examine relationships between lifelong learning,
language, identity and culture. This might mean the languages used to describe
and construct lifelong learning, the language(s) used by practitioners or the
diversity of languages used in the communities we serve. We also include the
range of languages used in cultural expression including visual and musical
literacies.
For further information contact b.piette@bangor.ac.uk
<mailto:b.piette@bangor.ac.uk>, tel 01248 382743).  If you wish to submit a
paper, a poster, or organise a symposium or other presentation please send an
abstract of no more than 500 words to the above email address by January 10th
2003. Please note that these should explicitly reflect the theme of the
conference.
 
 
 
*** TENTH INTERNATIONAL LITERACY AND EDUCATION RESEARCH NETWORK CONFERENCE ON
LEARNING
Institute of Education, University of London, 15-18 July 2003
http://www.LearningConference.com <http://www.learningconference.com/> 
 
The overall theme of the Learning Conference 2002 is "What Learning Means" -
the kinds of skills and knowledge, indeed the kinds of persons, required for
the world of the near future. Critical issues include education for local and
global cultural diversity, the impact of new technologies, changing forms of
literacy, and the role of education in social and personal transformation.
The deadline for the next round of the call for papers is 15 December 2002.
Full details of the conference, including an online call for papers form, are
to be found at the conference website.


***EDEXCEL EVENT
PROMOTING SKILLS FOR LIFE - ADULT LITERACY AND NUMERACY and EDEXCEL RELATED
QUALIFICATIONS
London, 19th November - a.m.,  or 19th November, p.m.
 
Edexcel are developing new literacy, language and numeracy qualifications
designed to be relevant for learners in the workplace, tied into the new
qualifications framework.  At this event, Edexcel will be introducing these
Adult Literacy and Numeracy and linked qualifications to Employers and Training
Providers and increasing your understanding of the implementation and delivery
of these qualifications - and are interested in your thoughts on these new
qualifications.  
 
The event is free but there is a cancellation fee.   For more information visit
www.edexcel.org.uk or call 0870 240 9800.
 

8. USEFUL INFORMATION
 
Guidance on using the level four subject specifications
A new publication - the 'Guidance on using the Subject Specifications for
teachers of adult literacy at level four in conjunction with the Standards for
teaching and supporting learning'  - has just been made available on the ABSSU
website. It includes a useful diagram showing the different routes into
teaching  adult literacy for new entrants to the profession. 

<http://www.dfes.gov.uk/readwriteplus/bank.cfm?section=470> 
 

 
**AOC TOOL FOR ASSESSING TRAINING NEEDS
A useful format for interviewing employers about business objectives etc.,
linking these to potential training needs. It contains a series of forms,
together with guidance notes. 
 
<http://www.aoc.co.uk/workforcedevelopment/SD/mat01.php>
 

 
**FENTO 'STANDARDS IN ACTION SEMINARS'
Offering direct support and practical ideas of how to put the National
Standards into action.
Each one-day seminar will have a specific focus such as personnel, ILT, the
learning and teaching process, social inclusion etc, and is targeted at key
staff. They will include strategies for using the standards  as well as
incorporating at least 2 workshop presentations from practitioners who have
been using  the standards effectively within their college.
 
<http://www.fento.org/new_to_site/standards_in_action_details.html>
 
 
**FENTO ESOL SUBJECT SPECIFICATIONS
Levels 3 and 4 now available online:
 
<http://www.fento.org/staff_dev/subject_specs_esol.html>
<http://iet.open.ac.uk/coursesonline/>
 

First Sector Skills Development Agency "Skills Convention"
14 and 15 November 2002 within SkillCity, Salford Quays, Greater Manchester.
 
The first of a series of employer events it "will provide a strategic forum for
employers, throughout the UK, to champion the cause of a more demand-led
education and training system"
 
<http://www.ssda.org.uk/convention.shtml>
 

 
**NIACE LEARNING WORKS AWARDS
 
The awards recognise and promote the value of learning in relation to the
workplace and are open to all adults, especially those who have improved their
work prospects because of their new skills. Winners will receive £250 and be
invited to a national ceremony as part of Adult Learners' Week, 10-16 May 2003.
 
http://www.niace.org.uk/news/Oct02.htm#LW
<http://www.niace.org.uk/news/Oct02.htm>
 

 
**DFES 'SKILLS DIALOGUE' REPORT ON GENERIC SKILLS IN THE WORKPLACE
118 page report on the use of and increasing need for generic skills in the
workplace, such as communication skills, ICT, problem-solving, team-working and
leadership skills.
The report argues that improving such generic skills helps companies deal with
increasing pressures on productivity and therefore remain competitive.
 
<http://www.dfes.gov.uk/skillsdialoguereports/docs/SD13_Generic.pdf>
 
The report can also be ordered from the DfES on 0845 60 222 60. Reference:
SD13.
 



*** NUMERACY CONSULTANT WANTED
Numeracy consultant wanted by 3t, an IT based consultancy, for a short project
working with them on the development of an  online learning package for UfI
covering learning about measures using workbased contexts.  Contact  Mary
Wallace, Producer, 3T Productions Ltd, tel 0161 492 1427, mobile  0779 979 7260
(website www.3t.co.uk <outbind://46/www.3t.co.uk>).   


 
***  Please forward this email update to a colleague who may be interested in
workplace basic skills information ***
  
Workplace Basic Skills Network
CSET, Cartmel College
Lancaster University
Lancaster
LA1 4YL
 
Tel: 01524 593405
Fax: 01524 844788
 
<http://www.lancs.ac.uk/wbsnet>
email: wbs.net@lancaster.ac.uk <mailto:wbs.net@lancaster.ac.uk>
 
Neil Chatterjee
Marketing/Communications Manager
Workplace Basic Skills Network
Tel: 01524 592350
Email: neil.chatterjee@lancaster.ac.uk <mailto:neil.chatterjee@lancaster.ac.uk>



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