Stuart Hollis

Supporting Sector

Readiness for 24 +

Advanced Learning

Loans

Engaging Learners

Session aim

To provide participants with a range of practical

approaches to successfully engage 24+ adult

learners onto Level 3 and Level 4 provision through

an Advanced Learning Loan

The Learner Journey

Engagement

Application

Activation

Learning

Progression

Who are we trying to engage with?

Current and potential learners aged 24 or older, who

may consider undertaking learning at Level 3 and

Level 4

Activity

Identify five target groups

of learners you are, or plan

to, market your offer to

Image courtesy of zirconicusso at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Identifying target groups (1)

BIS Research Paper 73, May 2012 Attitudes to Further Education Loans

• Moving into a new career (choose to re-skill, motivated to move into a job or personal interest. Includes full-time mothers

• Progress in chosen career (choose to advance in career or current job, or from full-time education. Potential route to HE

• A route into the labour market (re-skill or skill up in order to get a job after being out of work (long-term or youth unemployment))

• Consolidation to increase job security (recently redundant or acting defensively to shore up skills and proof of capabilities in face of competition)

BIS Research Paper 100, Jan’ 2013 Specific Learner Groups

• Target Markets and Hard to Engage Learners:

• Muslim Learners

• 40 + Learners

• Apprentices

• Learners with Disabilities

• Savvy Learners

• Less Savvy Learners

• Don’t forget white British can also be hard to reach

Identifying target groups (2)

Offer our current Level 3 and 4

qualifications to more of our

current learners (market

penetration)

Offer new Level 3 and 4

qualifications to our current

learners (product development)

Offer our current Level 3 and 4

qualifications to new learners

(market development)

Offer new Level 3 and 4

qualifications to new learners

(diversification)

What learners want to know (Source: NIACE/SFA Protecting the consumer during and after the

implementation of 24+ Advanced Learning Loans Final report: June 2012)

• Clear eligibility criteria

• Full cost of programmes and what the loan will cover

• How loans fit with other funding such as learner support & HE loans

• Details on the process of applying for a loan

• Information on available support for completing a loan application

• Expected timescales for processing an application

• Terms and conditions of the loan, including interest accrued

• Repayment details

• Details of complaints procedure about the loan & quality of provision

• List of FAQs

• Wider information – full range of options for financing learning, wider

implications of taking out a loan, evidence on returns to learning,

local labour market information, signposting for further information

or support

Information, advice and guidance

Information

Advice Guidance

Is it the right course for me?

What are my training needs?

Is a loan a good idea?

Can I afford this?

Where will this course lead to?

Do employers value the course?

Where can I get more help?

How learners want to be informed (Source: NIACE/SFA Protecting the consumer during and after the

implementation of 24+ Advanced Learning Loans Final report: June 2012

• Accurate and up-to-date information

• Clear, easy to use and understandable – no jargon

• Consistent

• Impartial and honest

• Timely

• Tailored to mature students

• Paper and web-based support materials

• Face-to-face communication

• A co-ordinated approach

Practical approaches

Course guides

Open day / evening and taster sessions

Learning and funding information letters

Telephone advice line

Face to face information sessions

Website and social media

Media campaigns

Advice/support in the workplace

Through delivery partners

Referrals from other students

Introductory discounts, deals and special offers

Raise awareness of Access to HE loan offer

Promote Level 3 learning to Level 2 learners through tutors

Follow up those who do not make an application

Others……

Support

www.24plusmicrosite.com

Learner engagement

• Key messages handout

• Learner FAQ

• Eligibility tool

• Learner journey films

• Key facts animation

• Learner factsheet

• Posters

• Repayment calculator

• Guide for IAG staff

• Template advert

• Template media posts

• Website copy

Materials Consultancy

Workshops Webinars

Support available from NIACE

Engagement

Application

Activation

Learning

Progression

www.niace.org.uk Ian.Bond@niace.org.uk

Risk management – learner engagement

Example risks

• Learners do not understand the benefits of the

learning and that the loan is a route to achieving

this

• Lack of impartial advice when providers promote

their own learning

Implications for providers

Risk for learners

Actions to

manage risk

Planning next steps

Sources of information

• Skills Funding Agency:

– Programme

information:http://skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk/providers/program

mes/24AdvancedLearningLoans/

– 2013/14 simplified funding catalogue (updated 15th May 2013): http://readingroom.lsc.gov.uk/SFA/2013_14_Simplified_Funding_Rat

es_2013015.xls

• NIACE:

– Website:

www.niace.org.uk

– Protecting the consumer during and after the implementation of 24+

Advanced Learning Loans

http://readingroom.lsc.gov.uk/sfa/NIACE_-

_Protecting_the_consumer_during_and_after_the_implementation_of

_24+_Advanced_Learning_Loans.pdf