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National Learner Panel: giving learners a voice at national level
Since November 2006, the National Learner Panel has been advising the government on how proposed changes in further education in England will affect learners. It’s made up of volunteers involved in further education as learners – giving learners like you a voice at national level.
Apply to join the National Learner Panel
The National Learner Panel is now recruiting up to 20 new members for the academic year 2008/2009.
The Panel would like to hear from learners of all ages, in all different types of further and adult education. You don’t need to be an expert in how further education works - just be willing to share opinions based on your experiences.
If you join, you’ll get all the training and support you need to feel confident as a Panel member.
How to apply
Read the recruitment letter and application notes carefully to find out more about what’s involved. Then complete the application form and return it by Friday 10 October 2008.
If you want to fill in the form by hand, please complete it IN CAPITAL LETTERS and post it to Nicola Carey, National Learner Panel, QIA, Friars House, Manor House Drive, Coventry CV1 2TE.
You can also submit an application electronically. Just send an email to the address below requesting a Microsoft Word version of the form.
If you need help completing the form, call 0870 211 3434.
Help let learners know about the Panel
If you know someone who might be interested in applying - or you’re working with learners in further education - you can let them know about the Panel by circulating copies of the National Learner Panel recruitment flyer.
What does the National Learner Panel do?
The National Learner Panel was set up by the government to give learners a say in the development of further education at national level. It advises the government, the Learning and Skills Council and other organisations involved in making the decisions.
By providing a learner’s perspective on policies, proposals and initiatives, it aims to make a difference to your experience of further education - whether you’re in work-based learning, studying at a college, taking an evening class or in another form of adult learning.
Who’s on the National Learner Panel?
Panel members are part-time, independent volunteers. Anyone in further education is eligible to apply to join the Panel - all that’s needed is an interest in further education and a commitment to making sure it meets the needs of learners.
The Panel members reflect the wide variety of learners in further education. They’re drawn from across the sector, including learners at college and in work-based learning.
Members’ ages range from 17 to 67, including those who have just left school, those who are returning to learning later in life to boost their career prospects and those who have retired and are learning for pleasure.
Follow the links below to find out more about the Panel members for 2007/2008 and what they're studying.
How does the National Learner Panel work?
The Panel is asked for its views on major issues affecting learners, and agrees a work plan setting out the issues members want to consider. The full Panel meets four times a year in different cities around England.
Panel members also get together in smaller groups to discuss areas they’re especially interested or where they feel they can make a particularly valuable contribution.
Once the Panel has looked at an issue, its views are passed on to ministers and other people in organisations dealing with further education.
What has the National Learner Panel done so far?
Since the first Panel was set up in November 2006, it has provided the government and other decision-makers with a learner’s perspective on a range of important issues.
These include:
- how to make sure learners’ views are taken into account during college inspections
- how best to implement reforms aimed at raising the level of skills in the UK
- a range of views on proposals to raise the minimum age at which young people can leave education or training
Follow the link below to learn more about what the Panel has done so far.
More about further education
For information on further education for adults, see ‘Adult learning’. For details of further education opportunities for 16 to 19 year olds, see ‘It’s your choice: Options after 16’.
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