The initiative will allow further educational institutions to engage with students and help them to prepare for the transition into college life, while also helping them to deliver flexible vocational training suited to the needs of students and employers, in line with the recommendations of the Wolf Report.
NCFE has produced a list of courses in popular sectors that can be offered during the summer recess, ranging from the ever-popular Level 1 Award in Learning to Learn, to courses in Alcohol Awareness and Creative Craft. Their flexible nature means that they can be delivered in a variety of settings, making them suitable for full or part-time students, as well as work-based learning.
David Grailey, Chief Executive of NCFE, said: “Focusing on the innovative delivery of short and medium-length qualifications over the summer months not only helps to engage and retain students for enrolment in September, it also allows colleges to maximise their funding in a period of tight spending.
“In the current economic climate we need a new, more progressive approach to vocational learning, recognising that productive use can be made of buildings and resources during the traditional summer break.”
In addition to summer schools, the short qualifications can also be delivered during normal term time and NCFE can offer support to colleges in their curriculum planning, showing how the courses can be incorporated into the timetable.
Mr Grailey added: “It’s all about meeting the needs of your target learners to help in the transition from school to college - running summer schools or induction programmes before the start of their main course of study can be an ideal solution in a challenging and rapidly evolving environment.”
By accrediting all aspects of a course, such as job and training search skills, interview skills and job application skills, NCFE believes that colleges can show the government they are engaging with learners, while demonstrating that vocational courses are tangible and meaningful.
To find out more, visit www.ncfe.org.uk
