The Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) and Ufi VocTech Trust (Ufi) are calling on content and education providers to contribute resources to a new digital platform that will support the learning of apprentices, trainees and college students post-Covid 19.
The platform, which is set for to launch in the autumn, will be called #SectorShare, and is the result of a new partnership between the two organisations, and development of the web-based portal is well underway, with a sneak peek of the well-populated beta site already available.
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Grouped by business sector
Platform builders are now calling for education providers and publishers to submit learning resources for possible inclusion on the site. More than 80 per cent of the resources available are free to the user and the portal itself is free to search. The resources will be grouped by business sector, and the site will include a dedicated maths and English section plus resources for “soft” transferable employability skills, safeguarding, SEND and assistive technology.
AELP managing director Jane Hickie said: “AELP and Ufi VocTech Trust are launching what may be the first truly dedicated blended learning platform for the further education and skills sector. The pandemic has prompted an unprecedented growth in online provision, which has allowed thousands of young people and adults to keep learning during lockdown and it’s vital that we retain the gains made. We’re confident that #SectorShare will flourish for the benefit of the next generation of learners.”
Ufi VocTech Trust deputy chief executive Louise Rowland said: “Ufi is very pleased to be able to support AELP in the delivery of #SectorShare at a time when we know that the services it will offer will be of critical importance to businesses up and down the country: this resource will offer a simple source of valuable information for employers, learners and providers alike and we’re excited by the opportunities this will maintain for vocational learners.
“Lockdown provided the impetus to accelerate the use of digital learning: it also revealed the underlying issues around culture and funding that are impacting digital readiness within the vocational educational sector, many of which have been highlighted previously by Ufi.
“At Ufi we know that using digital is the means to widen access to vocational learning and develop the workplace skills we need. To achieve this, we need a system that is fit for the future, ensuring that all learners, teachers, and institutions have access to the best tools available and the skills and confidence to use them.”
Content and education providers who would like to contribute to the #SectorShare portal can email resources@aelp.org.uk.
