FOREWORD
Why Lifelong Learning Is Important
‘ Lifelong Learning ’ is not new . It has been around for years ; admittedly some years more successful than others . During the past 20 years , there have been many initiatives and government commissioned reports into lifelong learning , from the likes of Moser , Leitch , Wolf and more recently Augar – all of whom supported lifelong learning and called for greater investment into reskilling programmes . But the programmes they rolled out lasted only till the next political party rolled in .
However , whilst many programmes come and go with the next Education Minister , one that ‘ has ’ passed the test of time is “ Access to Higher Education ”, yet it is still the silent partner in the sector .
I only really began to understand Access to Higher Education when I joined One Awards ( part of NOCN Group ) as their Managing Director . I had worked in the FE sector where Access to Higher Education was offered but it was usually a discreet part of the provider ’ s provision that kept itself to itself , quietly delivering amazing outcomes , with no-one shouting about it .
This is something I have pushed for the past 3 years , since fully getting to grips with Access to Higher Education ; promoting and shouting about this life changing qualification . Whilst its celebrity status is far from the A List , Access Validating Agencies like One Awards have been working tirelessly to raise its profile and gain more followers , supporters and students to study Access to Higher Education diplomas .
Augar was a supporter and in his ‘ Review of post-18 Education and Funding ’ ( 2019 ) he favoured the Access to HE route over its competitor University Foundation Years , citing the latter as low value for the tax payer and the student .
One could argue that Access to HE is the epitome of lifelong learning . Adults , from 19 years old to 119 years old who have not achieved traditional qualifications , such as A-Levels , can join an Access to HE course with a provider in their local area and study , often for the first time , then progress to further higher level learning either to a degree or a degree apprenticeship and then move in to employment . One could also argue that Access to HE is the epitome of widening participation having one of the most diverse student bodies in the market . Access to HE reaches and is inclusive of students from all backgrounds . It attracts more females , more mature students , more students from ethnic minorities , more students with disabilities and more students from disadvantaged areas than all other level 3 qualifications .
Access to HE ’ s best selling point though is its ability to ‘ change lives ’. Approximately 25,000 adults choose
the Access to HE route every year as an enabler for them to achieve their dream , reach their full potential and gain or retrain in employment . This life changing qualification has the potential to reach so many more adults in the lifelong learning journey so let ’ s all give a big shout out to Access to Higher Education and let ’ s help drive the lifelong journey for all .
Fabienne Bailey NOCN Group Director – One Awards , International & Culture
Access to HE ’ s best selling point though is its ability to ‘ change lives ’. Approximately 25,000 adults choose the Access to HE route every year as an enabler for them to achieve their dream ...