Learning Opportunities in the South East

21 Aug 2008

Learning Opportunities in Sussex, the innovatory information, advice and guidance materials and service developed by the Sussex Learning Network is to be rolled out to cover 9 counties across the South East.

The four Lifelong Learning Networks (LLNs) in the South East, the SLN with: 

• Hampshire and Isle of Wight Lifelong Learning Network led by Southampton Solent University
• Kent and Medway Lifelong Learning Network led by the University of Greenwich
• Progress South Central (covering Berks, Bucks, Oxon and Surrey) led by the University of Reading 

have joined forces to create a new Learning at Work Information Service (LAWIS) that will promoted vocational higher education to the workforce and those who advise, support and employ them.  This new service builds on the work done in Sussex and is a direct response to the Leitch targets of 40% of adults in work achieving higher education qualifications by 2020.  It will capitalise on the investment already made in Sussex by extending and embedding the Learning Opportunities model across Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Medway, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey. 

Learning Opportunities in Sussex will become Learning Opportunities in the South East and will deliver:

·         Personalised online information and advice across 14 broad careers areas

·         An “ask a question” facility supported by an extensive database

·         The option to search for information by postcode or town across the South East

·         An interactive progression tool that simplifies the detail of progression agreements for users

·         A Personal Planning Pack that includes advice on making a decision about study and applying for a course

·         A Foundation degree/HND/HNC search that links to course descriptions and provides a facility to email questions direct to the institution

·         Complementary paper resources

·         A pilot “email an adviser” service for the South East

·         Staff development opportunities

This is being funded jointly by the 4 Lifelong Learning Networks, the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and the Learning and Skills Council South East (LSC).  The project has funding from September 2008 to August 2010 and during that time the team will be keeping a close eye on how their work fits with the development of the new Adult Advancement Careers Service.

For more information about the project,  please contact Maureen Haywood – m.haywood@brighton.ac.uk or telephone 01273 873104.

Key documents

• Learning opportunities
• sussex_routes