Home > Agenda item

Agenda item

Croydon Adult Learning and Training (CALAT)

To receive an overview and update of the Croydon Adult Learning and Training (CALAT) service.

Minutes:

The Head of Employment and Skills delivery gave a presentation which included an overview of the service including Strengths Weaknesses, Opportunities and Tensions.

 

The following was noted:

·         The service was accessible to all learners

·         CALAT was working across different partners such as schools and businesses to reach different groups in the borough

·         CALAT was exploring ways to address income deprivation and in-work poverty.

·         Tutors to have skills gap analysis to upskill where necessary

·         The service was cost neutral to the Council.

 

A Member congratulated the work carried out by the service and the figures. It was asked how the service could be beneficial and provide training in schools for teaching assistants. The officer replied that funding had been removed from schools for teaching assistants and they were currently in discussions as to how they can be supportive to schools.

 

It was asked how family learning at schools worked. The officer said that the school agreed an informal learning programme whereby parents were encouraged to learn with their child through activities such as reading workshops. Once confidence has been built up, the parent is encouraged to take up formal training by signing up to a suitable course.

 

In response to a member question on the percentage of students that already possessed a qualification in their country of origin and what assistance was in place to convert, the officer said the percentage was not known. There was a system in place whereby overseas qualifications could be identified, and correlated to a UK qualification. A paid service was provided for conversion of a qualification.

 

It was asked how accessible the service was for older people and those with disabilities. The officer responded that CALAT was accessible to all and older people were also encouraged to sign up to ITC courses which were available in Croydon Libraries. There was a designated Learning Disabilities department at the Strand House site of CALAT

 

A Member asked what was being done to attract learners in New Addington which had been identified as an area of challenge for the service. The officer said that they were working with resident engagement teams, colleagues in the library as well as community service to find out ways to reach the community and improve their experience.

 

In response to questions of what could be done to improve collaboration with John Ruskin and Croydon College, the Officer responded that the key was to understand each other’s strengths. It was understood that the quality of apprenticeships at both those setting were high but also that people that had not succeeded with other providers come to CALAT and do very well.

 

The officer was thanked for attendance at the meeting and answering questions. She was also commended for the work

 

Request for information

 

·         What percentage of leaners have an overseas qualification.

·         The age range of people benefitting from CALAT courses.

·         The percentage of learners that are self-funders, co-funded and fully funded.

·         The criteria for community learning sites.

 

 

The Sub-Committee came to the following Conclusions:

·         The service provided by CALAT to date was exemplary.

·         It was important that they continue to find innovative ways to reach and serve the diverse community of Croydon

·         It was encouraging that businesses and schools recognised the advantage of working in partnership with CALAT.

·         There was a robust offer of courses available.

·         A future visit to a learning site would be beneficial to Members

 

Supporting documents: