Learning During COVID-19

As the country continues to battle with the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to offer all our customers reassurance that we remain equipped to continue supporting your learning and development through our virtual learning platforms.

Our tutors and support staff remain focused and on hand to support all our learners through their programme of learning and our employer engagement and sales team or on hand to support our employers and referral partners with any recruitment or training needs you may have.

Our safeguarding team remains readily available and on hand to provide support to all our customers who may be struggling during these times. In addition, the safeguarding resource hub is a free hub of national safeguarding resources that can be accessed by anyone – https://www.safeguardingresourcehub.co.uk the safeguarding hub contains links to support services and information on a range of matters that people may need support with during these times.

We have also made significant investment in our remote working infrastructure to ensure that we continue to provide the highest possible quality of learning and education. The rapid deployment of Microsoft Teams and Zoom has enabled the team to remain in contact with all our learners and continue to support them with their programmes of learning. The introduction of the Skills Forward platform has given learners access to “one of the UK’s leading eLearning software and assessment solutions for Functional Skills…”, eQual our newly deployed “cloud-based learning platform, has been designed to give the system and tools they need to be at the forefront of modern education and training.” This enables us to provide learners with engaging high quality learning resources through a platform that can be accessed 24/7 around the learner’s personal commitments. Finally, our Laser learning platform continues to be an integral aspect of our learning delivery providing learners with excellent resources “…written by industry professionals with expertise in their subject and vocational experience” as well as allowing our employers to participate in reviews and maintain a clear understanding of their staff development.

Stephen Smith, Operations and Quality Director is responsible for the quality and delivery of remote teaching, learning and assessment.

Apprenticeships

We will continue to provide learning and development remotely using Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Laser Learning, to facilitate the theory requirements of the programme. In relation to the observations of practice where this can be facilitated by the employer in a remote way, such as a video conference, observations will continue to be undertaken. If these remote observations cannot be facilitated due to safeguarding concerns or furlough the learner will continue with their theory learning. If all theoretical learning is completed and observations cannot be completed programmes are likely to be paused until such time as observations can be completed safely. Functional Skills learning will continue to take place remotely using Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Skills Forward. Unfortunately, assessments cannot be undertaken at present however once the situation regarding assessments is resolved learners will be contacted individually.

Adult Education Budget

We will continue to provide learning and development remotely through the use of Microsoft Teams, Zoom and eQual.  We understand the current restrictions may prohibit learners from attending scheduled virtual classes due to ongoing commitments, as such we have reintroduced our fully online course offer where teaching is facilitated through a series of online workbooks, videos and research activities. Learners will then complete a series of assessments which are marked by one of our inhouse tutors who will provide developmental feedback and can provide additional support if required.

Advanced Learner Loans

Childcare & Adult Care Provision

We will continue to provide learning and development remotely through the use of Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Laser Learning, to facilitate the theory requirements of the programme. In relation to the observations of practice where this can be facilitated by the employer in a remote way, such as a video conference, observations will continue to be undertaken. If these remote observations cannot be facilitated due to safeguarding concerns or furlough the learner will continue with their theory learning. If all theoretical learning is completed and observations cannot be completed programmes are likely to be paused until such time as observations can be completed safely.

Sports & Beauty Provision

We will continue to provide learning and development remotely through the use of Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Laser Learning, this however will only cover the theory requirements of the programme. Upon completion of the theory, programmes are likely to be paused until such time as it is safe to resume face to face training.