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Lifelong Learning UK launches consultation to develop new Learner Involvement National Occupational Standards Lifelong Learning UK is calling on student liaison officers and other people employed in learner support  roles to share their views on what the proposed new National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Learner Involvement should look like. The aim of introducing standards is to ensure the same opportunities for career development and professionalism for everyone working in learner support – from counselling to facilities, and advice to administration – as well as student liaison officers.

The consultation will take place between 5 January 2009 and 6 February 2009 through a series of workshops and online. Lifelong Learning UK wants as many liaison officers and stakeholders to take part as possible to help shape this important initiative.

Ivor Jones, Deputy Chief Executive at Lifelong Learning UK, comments: “The development of Learner Involvement National Occupational Standards will not only raise awareness of this critical job function within the sector, but will bring a level playing field to the role, supporting practitioners in delivering to the highest standard.

“We urge interested parties across the sector to engage in the consultation process and have their say now in developing a NOS that is not only fit for purpose but will really add value.”

The need for the proposed new standards was identified through the government's Further Education (FE) White Paper 2006 - "Further Education: Raising Skills, Improving Life Chances" - to develop standards for student liaison officers within the FE sector.

A scoping exercise was completed in April 2008, to explore the requirements of the student liaison officer role across the four nations of the UK and whether there was any desire for the development of National Occupational Standards. These standards address the requirements of the whole of an occupational role regardless of whether an individual is new to a profession or experienced.

Lifelong Learning UK is working with the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills in developing National Occupational Standards to support the student liaison officer ‘type’ role. The term 'Learner Involvement' was deemed as being more appropriate, as it is a term recognised throughout Further Education, Adult and Community Learning and Work Based Learning; it also covers roles that include learner engagement (including ‘Learner Voice’ and learner representation), learner contribution, learner support and learner enrichment activities.

The recommendation was that National Occupational Standards should be developed as they would:

· professionalise a key support function in Further Education, Adult and Community Learning and Work Based Learning
· support the development of career pathways
· assist with recruitment by supporting the definition of job roles
· provide a baseline for appraisals in order to improve performance and gain credit for achievements (therefore enhancing job satisfaction)
· provide the motivation for further learning and skills, inform the content of training and encourage qualification development for learner involvement
· raise the profile of ‘Learner Voice’ and the importance of an effective learner engagement and representation strategy
· clarify the boundaries of the learner involvement role, enable a consistent approach across Nations and encourage the development of transferable skills that can also be taken outside Further Education, Adult and Community Learning and Work Based Learning, and
· bring much needed credibility to the Learner Involvement role

Key consultation dates

5 January 2009 to 6 February 2009

A series of consultations on the draft NOS will take place with key stakeholders (including student liaison officers) across the UK, both electronically and through workshops. Consultation will be open from 5 January 2009 to 6 February 2009 with the project due to complete by 31 March 2009.

For more information log onto: http://www.lluk.org/developing-national-occupationalstandards.htm

 or contact Redzi Mangwana or Julie Fourcade on 020 7009 3100 or redzi@3-monkeys.co.uk/ julie@3-monkeys.co.uk at 3 Monkeys Communications.

About Lifelong Learning UK

· Lifelong Learning UK is a member of the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils, and is one of 25 Sector Skills Councils that make up the Skills for Business Network - each one is an employer-led, independent organisation. See: www.lluk.org

· We aim to encourage teachers, trainers, librarians and other staff to gain new skills and
qualifications so that they offer a better service to young people, adult learners, employers and the wider community

· We also promote lifelong learning as a career so that employers in the sector have less difficulty recruiting and retaining staff

· In addition to developing sector-wide occupational standards and qualifications frameworks, we also produce labour market intelligence so that lifelong learning employers can identify skills gaps and shortages among their own workforce