27 th June 2006Irene Potter – Learning Partnership Conference.

27th June 2006

Irene Potter – Learning Partnership Conference

27th June 2006


GELGovernance, Empowerment and Learning

Research Report2005-2006

27th June 2006


Purpose of Research

To determine the barriers and incentives to learning for specific age groups who are themselves the target groups for the GEL Equal project.

Questions for the research:

Developed with the staff from the Neighbourhood College and Neighbourhood Projects

The purpose of the research:

27th June 2006


Methodology

Questionnaires

Focus Groups

Timeframe

Sample

Staff Training

27th June 2006


Headline findings: Questionnaires Who we spoke to

Where they live

What they do e.g. Employed, Unemployed, Retired etc

Unemployed18%

Retired18%

Homeworkers16%

Education10%

Voluntary Work12%

Employed26%

27th June 2006


Demographics of respondents

69% female 9% minority ethnicity

13% age 16-20, 25%: 21-30, 29%: 31-49 16%: 50-64, 14% over 65.

Quest

ionnair

es

Male

Fem

ale

Unknow

n

16-2

0

21-3

0

31-4

9

50-6

4

65+

Unknow

n

Whit

e B

riti

sh

BM

E

Unknow

n

Totals 122 33 84 5 16 30 35 20 17 4 108 11 3

Sex Age Ethnicity

Knowledge and use of Neighbourhood Projects Heard of GNC 84 % Used College Services 47%

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Use of GNC: Curriculum areas (1)Activity Number

Yoga 1Tai chi 1Gentle exercise 1

Acupuncture/keep fit 1NVQ Creche worker 1Health activity 1First aid 2Music, drama, arts and crafts 5IT related 15Academic 5Literacy and numeracy 1

Sports/physical activity

Care, health and complementary therapies

27th June 2006


Use of GNC: Curriculum areas (2)

Don’t know range of subjects offered (awareness) Childcare (personal circumstances)

Don’t like subjects (content & format)

Too busy (personal circumstances)

Time of classes (location & access)

Reasons given for not using GNC

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Of the 306 total responses given: 31% said courses that were work or

qualification related; 18% related to hobbies or interests and 18% said meeting people;

15% related to keeping minds active and 11% related to ‘feeling good about myself’ 7% responded with other ideas.

Incentives to use GNC

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Preferred Location for Learning

Th

is N

eig

hb

ou

rho

od

P

roje

ct

Oth

er l

oca

l ve

nu

es

In a

no

ther

are

a

An

ywh

ere

wit

h p

arki

ng

An

ywh

ere

clo

se t

o a

bu

s

Totals (%) 45 27 3 13 12

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Duration of study

The most popular course lengths were:

What length of course?

Flexibility was a key issue for focus groups

43% 2 hours a week for 12 weeks 23% one evening a week for 6 weeks 12% one day

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TimingsWhen are you able to learn?

29% prefer morning courses

26% afternoon courses

28% evening courses

7% weekend courses

Evenings between 5 and 9pm. The largest number preferred between 6 and 9pm.

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Other factors Mix of class

Parking

Local provision

Ground floor

Mental health support

Mobility or disability issues

Class sizes

MARKETING:

New

spap

ers

Rad

io

Tex

t

Em

ail

Lea

flet

Po

ster

Mai

l

Oth

er

Totals (%) 12 4 7 8 28 20 11 10

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Getting involved with GNC

If yes, how?

Idea

s fo

r co

urs

es

Hel

pin

g o

ther

le

arn

ers

Tea

chin

g

Hel

p i

n t

he

off

ice

Man

agem

ent

Oth

er

Totals (%) 37 31 53 25 34 12 19 63

Get

in

volv

ed?

No

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Headline Findings: Focus groups (1)

Key factors:

What makes people want to learn after they have left school?

Work related Identity issues Confidence Time of life Enjoyment

27th June 2006



What stops people learning after they leave school?Key factors

Cost

Location and access (including transport)

Course content and format

Personal circumstances (including lack of time)

Confidence

Awareness

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Key issues identified:

Marketing

Location related issues

Course content e.g. Qualification/non qualification issues

Support services available

Flexibility Direct incentives

Incentives to return to learn

Headline Findings: focus groups (3)

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Subjects identified fell into seven broad categories: Sports/physical activity

Care, health and beauty

Music and drama Arts and crafts IT related Academic Practical Skills

If you could learn anything what would it be?


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Key motivators identified were:

Community involvement

Social

Practical

Curriculum related

What would encourage people to get involved in the college?

Headline Findings: focus groups (5)

27th June 2006


How do you think we are doing as a Neighbourhood Project/College? (1)

Complimentary and supportive:

Nice to know its there

Atmosphere brilliant, welcoming, friendly Staff friendly and helpful

Think we are trying very hard

Good Foundation to build on, huge potential Very supportive and proactive in community

learning

Impressed with what’s on offer and service received

The facilities are needed

Think its great what we are doing, very good

27th June 2006


How do you think we are doing as a Neighbourhood Project/College? (2)

Suggested improvements: College should involve residents in setting the

curriculum

Need to raise profile of the Project, lack of awareness of Project

Need to go into local groups to give out information

Need branded leaflets

People don’t know where we are

Use the personal touch Concerns re future funding Excessive form filling

27th June 2006


Conclusions and Recommendations

Childcare

Curriculum

Timing of provision

Location

Cost

Marketing

Involvement/governance

Issues raised:

27 th June 2006Irene Potter – Learning Partnership Conference.

Documents

learning slide

community learning

gnc slide

good slide

day slide

learning research report

focus groups

target groups