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ILA Scotland

A demand-led approach to skills and learning: Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs) in Scotland Laura Barjonas Lifelong Learning Directorate Scottish Government. ILA Scotland. This presentation will look at: What have ILAs come from in Scotland? What are ILAs aiming to achieve?

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ILA Scotland

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  1. A demand-led approach to skills and learning: Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs) in ScotlandLaura BarjonasLifelong Learning DirectorateScottish Government

  2. ILA Scotland This presentation will look at: • What have ILAs come from in Scotland? • What are ILAs aiming to achieve? • Where are we now with ILAs? • What are the key issues? • Where might ILAs go in the future?

  3. Where have ILAs come from in Scotland? ILA1 in Scotland (2000-2001) The good … • huge accounts uptake, over 250,000 people in 15 months • major new momentum for participation in learning • wide range of providers and courses (over 700) • high level of learner satisfaction (85%)

  4. Where have ILAs come from in Scotland? ILA1 in Scotland (2000-2001) The bad … • inactive accounts (52%) • deadweight (60%-53%)/low ‘value added’ • high proportion of already well-educated learners benefiting (up to 80%) • budget pressures due to high demand

  5. Where have ILAs come from in Scotland? ILA1 in Scotland (2000-2001) And the ugly … • concerns about possible fraud by some providers • indications of misuse by some providers: misselling, poor quality and poor value for money • scheme suspended then closed with no prior notice • police investigations (though no fraud prosecutions)

  6. Where have ILAs come from in Scotland? • Partnership Agreement commitment (2003) to introduce an improved Individual Learning Accounts scheme • commitment to learn all lessons from ILA1, ensure new systems are robust and secure • keen awareness of risk (financial and reputational) has strongly shaped business model • rigorous quality assurance of learning providers, robust compliance audit, improved system controls

  7. What are ILA Scotland’s policy aims? Support Lifelong Learning Strategy (2003) by: • widening participation in adult learning • introducing new learners (and encouraging return learners back) to adult learning • encouraging learners to invest in and take ownership of their own learning

  8. What are ILA Scotland’s policy aims? • prioritising the needs of certain learner groups (ie. people on low income) • encouraging learner progression • supporting the development of a quality learning provider base in Scotland

  9. Where are we now on ILAs? ILA Scotland (2004 – 2007) • targeted scheme, focused on people on low incomes (below £18k individual income) • retains a ‘universal element’ via ILA100, but this is also targeted – on low skills levels rather than income • includes close working with ‘intermediaries’ to help support harder to reach learners

  10. Where are we now on ILAs? ILA Scotland − Participation • over 70,000 account holders • over 40,000 active accounts • most active learners (90%+) are low income (ILA200) • most learners (nearly 90%) are over 25 • most learners (80%+) are female

  11. Where are we now on ILAs? ILA Scotland – Outcomes (ILA200) • 91% ILA200 learner satisfaction with course quality • 96% ILA200 satisfaction with scheme overall • 82% ILA200 learners choose courses leading to qualifications or certification • 55% ‘value added’ for ILA200 learners • 63% ‘value added’ for ILA200 learners with low or no qualifications

  12. Where are we now on ILAs? ILA Scotland – Outcomes (ILA200) • 88% ILA200 learners satisfied with level of funding • 90%+ satisfied with application process, guidance and documentation • 50%+ choose to do ICT courses • other popular subjects include health and welfare, business, arts and languages

  13. Where are we now on ILAs? ILA Scotland – Outcomes (ILA100) • 4,000 ILA100 learners (lower than forecast) • most (54%) ILA100 learners have qualifications above SCQF Level 7 (SVQ4) • ILA100 learners are generally younger and of a higher social grade • also more likely to be in full-time work and more likely to learn without ILA support

  14. Where are we now on ILAs? Evaluation – key messages and issues • recognised as a valuable addition to lifelong learning funding in Scotland, especially ILA200 • ILAs have helped increase access to/participation in lifelong learning, especially for lower income learners, women returners, older learners • but ILAs should aim to have greater strategic impact in the future − more integrated, better targeted

  15. Where are we now on ILAs? Evaluation – key messages and issues • streamline scheme administration to make ILAs more flexible and easier to access • look at ways of widening the reach of the scheme by extending learner, provider and course eligibility • reinforce and expand the support role of intermediary and IAG bodies, including the community and voluntary sectors

  16. Current Strategic Context • SNP administration • new skills strategy (Skills for Scotland) • new economic framework • single skills body being established

  17. Skills Strategy − Vision A smarter Scotland with a globally competitive economy based on high value jobs, with progressive and innovative business leadership

  18. Skills Strategy – Priority Themes Three priority themes: • Individual development • Economic pull • Cohesive structures

  19. Skills Strategy – Individual Development • Developing a distinctively Scottish approach to skills acquisition, balancing the needs of employers and individuals, aligning employment and skills and placing the individual at the centre of learning and skills development. • Developing a coherent funding support system for individuals of all ages and in all forms of education and training that encourages participation in learning and work.

  20. Skills Strategy – Individual Development • This will include support for individuals to increase control and choice over their learning and skills development. • Ensuring that this strategy will promote equal access to, and participation in, skills and learning for everyone. This strategy aims to promote equality of opportunity to those trapped by persistent disadvantage, and to reduce the number of people economically inactive.

  21. Where might ILAs go in future? • Aim to improve accessibility and flexibility • Develop as part of a more integrated package of support for learners • Consider widening learner eligibility eg, reduce age limit to 16 • Consider widening accepted provider accreditation standards (eg, professional/industry bodies)

  22. Where might ILAs go in future? • Consider widening range of eligible courses - workplace adult literacy and numeracy - workplace learning (not job-specific learning) • Consider increasing the funding level for priority learners and/or courses - ILA500?

  23. Where might ILAs go in future? • Position ILAs clearly within wider skills strategy implementation plan • Work with new skills body to develop an improved ILA offer and to streamline delivery • Continue to expand reach of ILAs through intensified engagement with intermediaries

  24. Further information • Phase 1 Evaluation Reports available at: www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/03/07115752/0  (Learner surveys) www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/03/07115726/0 (Intermediary study) www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/03/07115833/0 (Learning Provider Study) • Final evaluation to be published in spring 2008

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