Further education plays a vital role in creating a more just and equal society. However, it cannot fix inequality alone.
With the COVID-19 pandemic likely to entrench inequality even further, there is a need to understand how we create a more equal society through further education and skills.
That’s why the Skills and Education Group is today launching the 100 Faces of Further Education. This project aims to provide insights into the barriers and successes of achieving social justice by telling the stories of students and staff from across our membership.
Do you have stories to share?
We want to identify stories from your organisation that fall into the following categories:
- A scheme that aims to deliver social justice through education for a particular group of students or the community
- Personal stories from students or staff that highlight negative experiences in further education and skills in relation to their circumstances and the impact of those experiences on their education or employment
- Personal stories from students, staff, employers or community members that highlight successful interventions within their further education experience.
Across the Group, there are factors that are specific to different providers, such as supporting students from rural locations or working with certain groups of adult learners. We are keen to capture the experiences that are unique to individuals at your organisation.
What will the stories be used for?
The collection of stories will be published in a report in early 2021. This report will make parliament, policy makers and the wider public aware of the impact of further education and skills on social justice.
It will also be used as a springboard for further work from the Skills and Education Group Foundation, which was launched in 2019 to champion social mobility within the sector – highlighting the role that providers play in transforming people’s lives.
Get involved
In addition to hearing from you as an organisation, we would also like to hear from your learners themselves. We want to understand their concerns regarding COVID-19 and their education.
We would therefore like you to share this short survey with your learners. Their answers will help us to get a good idea of how learners are feeling about their education during these difficult times. As a thank you for their participation, they will be entered into a draw to win a £50 Amazon voucher that can be used to purchase resources to support their studies. The survey is also open to non-members.
To get involved in the project please contact either Katie Shaw, a consultant working with the Skills and Education Group, or Scott Forbes, Director or Member Services and Communications.
Not a member of the Skills and Education Group and want to engage in this project? Become a member.
To find out about Skills and Education Group membership and how it could benefit your organisation, click here.