Challenges: Economic Inactivity

1. Universities Heads of the Valleys Institute A Strategic Partnership of University of Wales, Newport and University of GlamorganViv Davies, Director Centre for Community and Lifelong Learning, UWN Acting Strategic Programme Manager, UHOVI

2. UHoVI is a single coordinated responseto Welsh Assembly Government targets for the achievement of Level 3/4+ qualifications, delivered through innovative HE and FE partnershiparrangements across the Heads of the Valleys. Aligned with other agencies involved in the regeneration of the Valleys, UHoVI provides a seamless approach to learner progression on a more visible and enduring basis. 

3. This session  will explore how UHOVI seeks to bring about a transformational change in the skills levels of an economically depressed region of South Wales in order to regenerate  the area economically, socially and culturally. Key themes to be examined include: • The demands  of partnership working •   The role of employer and community engagement • Implementing demand led curriculum development • Combining flexible and innovative delivery with tailored support for non-standard learners 5. The  challenge of achieving over 4 years a target of 4700 full time equivalent students as additional learners in a region characterised by very low participation rates post 16 education and where the emphasis on part time and flexible learning means engaging  a total of between 12-1500 individuals.

4. Challenges: Economic Inactivity Only 64% of the working agepopulation in the Heads of the Valleys isin employment compared with 69% inthe Lower Valleys and 71% across Wales as a whole. • However, almost a third of these inactive individuals say they would like to work - a higher proportion than elsewhere in Wales.

5. Challenges: Education and Skills Nearly one quarter of the population have no qualifications (compared with 17% for Wales as a whole) and there are only half as many graduates living in the area as in the rest of South East Wales. Only 41% of 15 year olds are achieving 5 GCSEs at A*-C grades, (compared with a Welsh average of 52%).

6. Challenges: Quality of Jobs Heads of the Valleys residents who are in work are less likely to be in skilled or professional jobs (only 50% compared with 62% for Wales as a whole). Many of the more skilled jobs within the area are currently filled by individuals who live outside the Heads of the Valleys. Many residents commute to low skilled and low paid jobs outside the area. Continued....

7. Challenges: Quality of Jobs …Continued On average, people who live and work in Merthyr Tydfil will earn 35% less than those who work within the area but live outside. Taken as a whole, average earnings for residents in Merthyr Tydfil and Blaenau Gwent are 20% below those in the rest of South East Wales.

8. Challenges: Health • Life expectancyin Merthyr and BG is the lowest in Wales. E.g. men on average. live 5 years less than men in Ceredigion. • More people in the HOV report that they have a limiting long term illness(33% compared with 28% for Wales as a whole), particularly mental illness, back pain, arthritis and high blood pressure. • 19% of the working age population in HOV are economically inactive and suffering from a long-term health problem, compared with a Welsh average of 13%. • HOV residents generally have less healthy lifestyles than elsewhere in Wales, with higher levels of cigarette & alcohol consumption.

9. Background Merthyr • UHOVI has been given a very high profile by the WAG , is seen as a major element in the strategy for the future development of HE in Wales, as revealed in the Assembly Government’s “For our Future “ policy document for HE in Wales, and will, if successful in achieving its targets, have received in excess of £20 millions of investment . • Promotes educational engagement in the region which goes beyond traditional widening access approaches to engage directly with specific population groups in the region and achieve outcomes which support their personal skills development as well as the regeneration of the region • UHoVI is a radical and innovativecontribution to the resolution of some of these issues

10. Key Features Llanhilleth The proposal for UHOVI embraces both the individual and regional dimension to effectively connect the physical, economic and social aspects of regeneration to underpin and support the regeneration of the region. UHOVI has three key features which mark a new level of engagement between universities and the development of their local region: A plan to make a measurable difference to identified sectorsof the society and economy of the region Provision of and  access to all levels of expertise, from basic skills to postgraduatecentres of excellence in a way that is coherent and targeted An approach that involves integrated planningand collaborative provision, not only between the two universities, but with key partners drawn from the local authorities, the FE sector ,employers ,the third sector, and others.

11. Aim UHoVI aims to effectively connect the physical, economic and social aspects of regeneration in the Heads of the Valleys to underpin and support the regeneration of the region.  UHoVI aims to achieve this by providing a coherent channel of engagement with employers and providers to plan and facilitateskills acquisition in the workplace and the region. 

12. Objectives • To improve Level 4+ qualifications and skills to meet Leitch targets in the Heads of the Valleys region • To contribute to the regeneration of the region • To provide an escalator approach to skills acquisition through the use of FEIs • To provide a work related / based learning network for students to develop industry specific skills • To raise awareness and participation to bring participants to the ‘door’ of UHoVI • To relocate appropriate research units to the region

13. Delivery UHoVI will deliver full and part-time foundation degrees,Work based learning programmes, and bite sized HE modules in the following subject areas:Creative and Cultural IndustriesTechnology, Engineering and ScienceSport and LeisureBusiness DevelopmentCommunity Regeneration and the Third SectorPublic Services, Health and EducationThese curriculum areas will map onto the specific skills sectors identified by: Skills that Work for Wales, Economic Summits, Future Skills Wales, HoV Ministerial Task Group, HEFCW ministerial remit letter (April 2009) Tredegar

14. Political Environment Ferndale • Two years in development • Meetings with Ministers, civil servants and HEFCW • Highest level support – specific reference in Minister’s remit letter to HEFCW (May 2009) and in her response to Jones Review of HE in Wales (24 June 2009) • Must do everything we can to ensure UHOVI succeeds • High profile project – first additional funded student numbers in Wales for 10 years

15. Physical Hubs and Delivery Locations Pontypridd Physical Hubs - Merthyr Tydfil / Ebbw Vale Delivery Locations

16. Numbers To meet Leitch targets, UHoVI will enable 4,740 full-time equivalent students to acquire Level 4+ skills (level of participation and achievement by Year Six)These numbers will be “ring fenced” as Additional Student Numbers from HEFCWReviews and monitoring will take place on a yearly basis and targets may be revised accordinglyBy Year Six, funding around £16.5m per annum Merthyr

17. Organisation Universities Heads of the Valleys Institute (UHOVI) is an unincorporated association with the aim of developing and expanding higher education provision in the Heads of the Valleys. Based at the Innovation Centre, Ebbw Vale, the core management team with support from contributing institutions, Sector Skills Councils and employers, coordinate and drive curriculum developments across the region. Two physical hubs centred in Merthyr Tydfil and Ebbw Vale will provide an operational base for UHOVI when construction of the Merthyr Learning Quarter and Ebbw Vale Learning Campus has been completed.

18. Organisation

20. Work-based Learning Development Officer Barbara Barnes, Learner Aimi Healey and her manager a Richards and Appleby. Work based Learning Case Study Aimi Healey from Tredegar has been working for a Rhymney-based manufacturing firm for around 4 years. She was originally employed as a personal assistant, but towards the end of 2008 the Company became increasingly aware of the need for a dedicated Human Resources function. Aimi was asked to take responsibility for implementing this.  Aimi began taking workplace learning modules in Human Resources to support her change in career direction by enrolling as a student with the Community University of the Valleys-East. This is an initiative of the University of Wales, Newport , through their Centre for Community and Lifelong Learning. Continued..

21. Work-based Learning Development Officer Barbara Barnes, Learner Aimi Healey and her manager a Richards and Appleby. Work based Learning Case Study Aimi told us:- “I found the teaching environment incredibly supportive and inspiring and the opportunity for networking with other class members is invaluable when it comes to working through case studies and real-life employment issues. The modules I’ve undertaken have been extremely valuable to me, supporting our entire staff and in understanding and adhering to Best Practice with regard to many of the issues I encounter daily in my new role.”The workplace learning modules offered as part of the Certificate in Higher Education have helped Aimee to develop the confidence to speak knowledgeably and offer advice regarding the issues affecting the Company and their employees, and to implement policies and procedures which previously either did not exist or required updating. Clearly the time-release given by her employee to enable her to attend these modules has paid off, and Aimi is now planning to undertake additional modules in her own time, to progress further with her Certificate.A spokesperson for her employer, Richards & Appleby said “I feel that these courses have had a positive effect not just on Aimi but on the Business as a whole, and we are now moving toward an extremely proactive HR perspective able to deal with any issues correctly and effectively. “

22. Student testimonials MIKE BUILDS LIFE AFTER REDUNDANCY Mike Jones, 36, of Blaenau Gwent, has re-built his life following sudden redundancy - and he gives all the credit to the CUV and its tutors. Today he works for GAVO as a community development assistant with the flagship Communities First programme in Tredegar. It follows a similar role at Aberbeeg where he developed projects including a food co-operative, ramblers and mothers and toddlers groups plus computer, pottery and guitar classes. “CUV proved an enormous asset in my life and subsequent career” says Mike who’s doing a degree in community regeneration following completion of the Certificate of High Education in Combined Studies. “It’s a great learning environment with excellent tutors and equal opportunities and understanding for all. It enabled me to upskill and improve my capacity so that I can play an active part in my community”. “I lost all confidence at school, so when I see people hanging about bus stops I know what it’s like….I’ve been there. I also know I was lucky to find free higher education and to be able to pluck up the courage to seize the opportunity.’

23. Student testimonials SHARON FULFILLS AMBITION TO NURSE A lifelong ambition to enter the nursing profession is being fulfilled by Sharon Howell — thanks to the WEA and CUV(E) who paved the way for her to go to university as a mature student. Sharon, 37, of Cross Keys. Caerphilly, married with two children, left school at 16 to earn a wage instead of going to college. Fourteen years later and her yearning to nurse led to a health care access course at Coleg Gwent, swiftly followed by CUV(E) modules which gave her experience studying at a higher level. With two children at nearby Ysgol Cwm Gwyddon, Sharon also learnt Welsh at the WEA Risca where she is a member and volunteer office worker and took up advanced IT courses. She successfully gained a place at Cardiff University and will qualify early 2008 with a BA (Hons) in Nursing. She hopes to specialise in cardiology. ‘I would never have been able to better myself without the facilities, crèche and support at the WEA and CUV,” says Sharon. ‘Not having studied at that level before, you don’t know just how capable you are. I’m the only one of four children to go to university and my family are very proud. It’s also good for the children who are talking from an early age about going to university.”

24. Student testimonials PART 4 Nominator’s statement I would like to nominate Angelina Morkot as Higher Education Adult Learner of the Year. Angelina has studied with the University of Wales, Newport, Centre for Community and Lifelong Learning through the Community University of the Valleys project: all her studies have taken place at The White Rose Information and Resource Centre, New Tredegar in the County Borough of Caerphilly. The Community University of the Valleys – East works across the disadvantaged valley areas of South East Wales to engage with people who would not normally participate in higher education. While a number of learners do have formal qualifications, this is not a pre-requisite since life experience is deemed to be as important. Learning takes place in local, community based venues with termly provision. Learning is delivered in bite-sized chunks of 10 credit modules that can be accumulated into a Certificate of Higher Education in Combined Open Studies (equivalent to the first year of a degree), many learners progressing onto the first or second year of degree courses. Angelina first joined the project in 2007 to study an abnormal psychology module, ‘What is Normal?’ She has two young boys and one had recently been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, her other son has also been recently diagnosed with the same condition and as part of the module deals with autism, Angelina thought this would give her a better understanding of the condition. CONTINUED...

25. PART 4 Nominator’s statement Continued She found the course extremely useful but also discovered that she was developing a real passion for psychology. Angelina has since progressed to complete 11 modules and this term she will complete her final module, thus gaining The Certificate of Higher Education in Combined Open Studies : she will graduate at The University of Wales, Newport, Caerleon campus September 2010. Lots of things make Angelina an inspirational and special learner. Although she is a single mum and has two young sons who on times, can display quite challenging behaviour, Angelina never complains. She never uses her situation to avoid giving in assignments and is always on time with her academic work and I think it is this that impresses me most of all. She contributes so much to a class, while being very supportive to all students, particularly those that are new. Angelina has recently completed a mentoring module which will allow her to mentor other students studying on the programme. I think she will be excellent in this role as she has a great ability to empathise with other students, great patience and a calm and encouraging manner: she is, in fact a wonderful role model. Angelina is a truly inspiring person and learner, I always enjoying meeting her and will miss her when she goes on to study on a full time degree programme. She has achieved so much and epitomises the whole ethos of adult learning: I would be so proud to see her receive Adult Learner of the Year Award.

26. Key themes The demands of partnership working: • As the single voice of education in the Heads of the Valleys, UHoVI has three primary objectives, namely: • Planningand Guidance: UHoVI resolves to contribute and respond to reconfiguration of the HE, FE and LEA landscape in the region. • Facilitator: UHoVI resolves to facilitate a single political voice and cohesive infrastructure to support learning in the region. • Commissioning: UHoVI resolves to commission a coherent and responsive programme of learning in partnership with education providers and employers in the region.

27. Key themes The role of employer and community engagement: • Curriculum is designed to address regional and local demands of a diverse employer landscape populated by small and micro businesses. • UHOVI also recognises that voluntary organisations represent a large population in the Heads of the Valleys which have challenging demands at all levels of ability. • In this context, UHoVI aims to provide a coherent channel of engagement with employers and providers to plan and facilitate skills acquisition in the workplace and the region. • This will be achieved by direct negotiation to ensure that curriculum is meaningful, transparent and accessible.

28. Key themes Implementing demand led curriculum development : • UHOVI recognise that HE has traditionally subscribed to a culture of supply driven curriculum development. • Within the context of market driven curriculum, the notion of a cultural shift to negotiated planning has resulted in a range of employer led curriculum proposals in consultation with Sector Skills Councils. • This has proved a challenging and time consuming activity that draws together a range of bodies in a common language.

29. Key themes Combining flexible and innovative delivery with tailored support for non-standard learners: • UHoVI aims to establish structures that enable seamless provision and progression. • Employer engagementis essential to effectively respond to demand. • Delivery needs to be responsive and flexibleto engage with the target market. • Portability between programmes is essential to address learner needs and changing skill profiles. • Structural and systemic changes are essential to target ‘hard to reach’ students. • Associated infrastructure and support mechanism should be ‘fit for purpose’ and achieve ‘value for money’.

30. Key themes The  challenge of achieving over 4 years a target of 4700 full time equivalent students as additional learners in a region characterised by very low participation rates post 16 education and where the emphasis on part time and flexible learning means engaging  a total of between 12-1500 individuals.

31. Any Questions? Universities Heads of the Valleys Institute A Strategic Partnership of University of Wales, Newport and University of GlamorganViv Davies, Director Centre for Community and Lifelong Learning, UWN Acting Strategic Programme Manager, UHOVI