Home > News > June 2004 > 21-Jun-2004

ALI report finds a few beams of light in an otherwise disappointing area of learning

The latest Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI) survey report looks at one of the most popular areas of adult learning - Business Administration.

With over 400,000 students at college and in the workplace as modern apprentices it draws in a huge intake - but the achievement statistics do not make for happy reading. Less than a third of modern apprentices complete the full set of qualifications and there is a downward trend in inspection grades for business provision in colleges.

Amidst the gloom the writers, Jane Riddell and Bernard McDonald, illuminate their report with some success stories.

DHP (Southern) Ltd, helps people without a job into self-employment. Experienced business advisors give skilled coaching in all aspects of business planning such as market research, insurance, taxation and health and safety.

One of their students, Claudia Boulton, arrived at the doors of DHP (Southern Ltd) after 18 months of unemployment but with impressive skills and experience of writing and producing theatre shows - particularly Commedia dell ‘Arte (which uses masks).

Catherine Muller, Business Advisor from DHP Southern helped Claudia with the training she needed to set up her own business, including advice on finances, and in February Claudia launched her production company - Peacock Productions.

A Senior Personal Tutor at Sussex Downs College receives praise in the survey report because of her creative approach to overcoming some of the constraints of providing support for part-time students.

Maureen Mansfield has developed a particularly flexible system that offers tutorials in business courses at a variety of times in the week - including breakfast meetings and Saturday sessions. If students still find it difficult to take advantage of this support telephone tutorials and, occasionally, home visits are arranged.

Maureen said: "There is no doubt that having a ‘named' contact with a tutorial role has encouraged students to feel that the college is offering a broad base of support and that they have a right to access this in a way that is convenient to them. Given the large number of adults on part-time courses, this is an area for continuing growth and development if Further Education is to meet the needs of all students."

ALI inspector and report writer Jane Riddell said: "This is a very important area of learning - not just to the students and learners but also to the businesses that will want to employ them, so it is disappointing to find that, despite its popularity, it is not an area that does particularly well. Despite the gloomy picture we did find some 'beacons in the night' and we have looked carefully at exactly what they are doing right in order to help other providers follow suit."

External link

To see a copy of the report go to the publications section of www.ali.gov.uk.

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