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Opportunity Scotland: A Paper on Lifelong Learning |
| Part 1: An Agenda for Learners |  |
| Foreword by the Secretary of State for Scotland | |
| For many years Scotland has been admired and envied for its achievements in education. Our distinctive qualifications structure and traditions of excellence have made us highly regarded internationally. Traditionally we have led the way in terms of positive change and innovative progress. But somewhere along the line education has ceased to capture the imagination of a large part of the Scottish population. The Government is determined to tackle this. We want to make a reality of educational opportunity for all. | |
| Learning has never been more important for our society than it is today. We live in a highly competitive world characterised by fast changing technologies. The role of education and training in our society is also changing. Part of that change will be increased interest and participation by adults in all types of learning. Lifelong learning will make a major contribution in building a modern Scotland and a strong society where people understand the importance and benefits of developing their abilities and talents. It is crucial that they find in Government, society and the education world real and practical support. For many lifelong learning will be a means to achieving goals, living a more fulfilling life and playing a confident role in society. | |
| A significant proportion of the Scottish workforce in 2020 are already in employment. That means we ignore the economic importance of lifelong learning - for individuals, business, and for national prosperity - at our peril. There is a very positive message for individuals and employers that sustained investment in learning opportunities and training is the key to personal and business success. | |
| In a year's time the Scottish Parliament will be responsible for education and training in Scotland and be in a position to influence and advance a learning society. This paper outlines the way forward. Lifelong learning is a crucial element of the Government's agenda to promote opportunity through tackling social exclusion, helping people back to work and extending new learning opportunities through initiatives such as the National Grid for Learning and the University for Industry. This paper also offers a range of initiatives tailored to Scotland's distinctive needs such as the University of the Highlands and Islands Project, New Futures, Education for Work, Local Learning Partnerships and Adult Guidance Networks. | |
| We believe in a culture of lifelong learning where the education system, provision of learning and the benefits of new technology are focused on making it easier for more people to participate in learning at any stage of their lives. We recognise that for many people, real or perceived barriers do still exist and we are committed to tackling these on several fronts. | |
| Crucial to our agenda are the following themes - | |
| raising awareness improving access extending participation - and therefore tackling exclusion encouraging progression ensuring quality | |
| Learning is a vital element of a successful, healthy, vibrant and democratic society. We have set out how we plan to take forward lifelong learning in Scotland - we look forward to your views on our proposals and to working with you to achieve our goals. | |
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| Rt.
Hon. Donald Dewar M.P. Secretary of State for Scotland | |
| Introduction | |
| Lifelong learning is a feature of modern life and will continue to be so. Change is everywhere and we need to learn to cope with it in different aspects of our lives. Jobs are changing with continually developing technology and pressure to keep up with foreign competitors. Daily life is changing with faster communications and more technology in our homes. | |
| Learning too is changing. Opportunities for people to develop new skills and expand their knowledge in all kinds of areas are developing continually. There is a real recognition that learning opportunities and the system for delivering them must be geared to reflect the needs, priorities and preferences of learners and that these people have very different aspirations and levels of previous experience. The Government is committed to working with other partners to do what it can to motivate people to think of learning as relevant to them and to take up the opportunities which will enable them to achieve their goals. | |
| The concept of lifelong learning reflects the fact that, in the midst of change, we need to update continually the skills in the workforce and better equip people to manage their own future. Learning is a broad term encompassing a wide range of activities including initial and adult education, training, skills development and leisure activities. Lifelong learning is particularly concerned with improving access to learning opportunities and encouraging people to take greater responsibility for their own learning. | |
| While this paper takes a broad view of lifelong learning at its core is the fact that people at all levels need to use learning opportunities to keep pace in the jobs market and to ensure that Scotland is equipped to compete in the global economy. To do this we need continuing improvement in the numbers of people with recognised skills particularly at Level 2 (SVQ Level 2/5 Standard Grades (1-3) or equivalent) and Level 3 (SVQ Level 3/5 Highers (A-C) or equivalent). It sets out the Government's vision for a genuine learning society and our agenda for the progression from school to post-school education, training and skills development. It sets the learner at the centre of all developments. | |
| Part 2 of the paper sets out how we plan to take the lifelong learning agenda forward in Scotland. It addresses the requirements of young people and adults and considers how various aspects of the education and qualifications system can best support them. Five themes characterise our approach and feature strongly in the paper: awareness, access, participation, progression and quality. | |
| Ten Point Action Plan | |
| Over the next 4 years we will work to make it easier for people to access high quality learning opportunities at all levels and in a greater range of ways. By 2002 there will be a very different learning landscape for adults in Scotland which offers much greater access to a much wider range of learning opportunities. By then all Scottish citizens will have the means to access learning at any stage of their lives. We are offering a ten-point action plan in this paper so that, by 2002: | |
| the Scottish University for Industry will have been launched, breaking down barriers to learning by using new technology to make learning easier and more convenient all schools, colleges, higher education institutions, libraries and many community centres will be connected to the National Grid for Learning more than £100 million will be invested to enable an additional 42,000 students to participate in further and higher education and a £6 million pilot project will have supported payment of fees and the development of pathfinder courses for up to 3000 unemployed and low income HE part-time students there will be a national system of Individual Learning Accounts and 100,000 people in Scotland will be account holders the University of the Highlands and Islands Project will have developed significantly with Government support some 150,000 people will have benefited from involvement in New Deal and New Futures programmes Scotland will have 15,000 Modern Apprentices and more young people qualified to Level 3 by means of Skillseekers all 16 and 17 year olds in work will have the right to study for a Level 2 qualification or equivalent we will have introduced Higher Still and developed a comprehensive Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework building on the success of the SCOTCAT system there will be a new strategic framework for the FE sector which will promote inter-college co-ordination and maximise access to all courses without needless competition between colleges | |
| How to Respond | |
| This agenda will continue to be developed over the next 2 years and will be a high priority for the Scottish Parliament. All responses to this paper will be considered as contributions to developing this agenda. | |
| Please
send your written responses by 29 January 1999 to: Ms
Rhona Dubery Or by fax to: 0131 244 7929. Or if you prefer it, you can e-mail
responses to: | |
| Unfortunately, we cannot take individual comments by telephone. Under the Code of Practice on Open Government responses to the Green Paper will be made available to the public on request, unless you indicate that you wish your response to remain confidential. | |
| Further copies of the Green Paper are available as a priced publication from the Stationery Office and its agents (for details see back cover). The paper can be accessed via the Scottish Office World Wide Web site, the address for which is: http://www.scotland.gov.uk It can also be made available on audio-cassette. | |
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