lifelong learning

Lifelong Learning

SVQs and Modern Apprenticeships - A massive range of qualifications available to all types of NHScotland staff, both Clinincal and non-clinical. As a result of the investment and support of Learning Together funding, as well as support from Local Enterprise, there has been a three-fold increase in SVQ and Modern Apprenticeship activity. The two most popular SVQ awards are Care level 2 and Administration level 2, more details available about them at the link above.

Personal Development Plans (PDPs) - Within Learning Together, the emphasis is on staff being encouraged to take more responsibility for their learning and development. The national target is for every member of staff to have a PDP, which should be reviewed and discussed regularly.

The Partnership Information Network (PIN) guidelines on development plans are available from here.

NHSScotland managers should now be able to identify and prioritise learning and training needs, as well as pooling resources to support development activities more effectively.

Ongoing Learning & Development - Planning Manual - This newly developed manual sets out the broad principles that should govern learning & development within NHSScotland - partnership, equality of access, quality assurance, relevance to service need, flexibility and promotion of public confidence.
It offers guidance on good practice in learning and development for work-based managers and supervisors who are responsible for helping to meet the on-going needs of staff. It should also help ensure that staff get the best support in developing their knowledge skills, enhancing their performance in the workplace and boosting their career aspirations.

NHSScotland Branded Learning Centres - 19 of these branded centres throughout Health Board areas all over Scotland have been established, with 8 more to follow. Validated and endorsed by the Scottish University for Industry (SUfI), these centres will enable all staff to access vast amounts of 'on line' learning material, as well as class based or paper based learning. These centres are commited to ensuring that quality development opportunites are available for all individuals and at a 'time, pace, place and style' that suits the individual's needs.

European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) - Ten thousand ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) places are being funded over the next three years for appropriate NHS staff in Scotland. As with many other UK health services, NHSScotland has adopted ECDL as a base level of competence with Information Technology for its staff.

Advances in the management of information and information technology are having a major influence on quality patient care today. Staff will need to have the opportunity to adapt to these changes and this investment in ECDL will help the NHSScotland staff achieve this.

In addition, in order to take advantage of the benefits of NHS Branded Learning Centres and emerging e-learning opportunities, many staff will need to become more comfortable with information technology in general.

The ECDL programme of 7 units should take between 6 - 12 months, and candidates can access the materials through a web-site either at work, NHScotland Branded Learning Centres, other Learning Centres or in their own homes.

Return To Learn - Return to Learn (R2L) is a Communication and Study Skills programme, developed by UNISON in partnership with the Workers Educational Association (WEA).

A second phase of this popular and effective programme will be funded through Learning Together in 2002. R2L mostly appeals to groups of staff within the NHS Support Services - a group of staff that often feels excluded from opportunity and whose important role within the NHS is often un-recognised. Many have had little or no opportunity to access formal learning since leaving school, and often don't take up any development opportunities offered due to a lack of self-confidence.

R2L provides tremendous encouragement and prepares staff for many future learning opportunities, as well as the achievement of nationally recognised units accredited by the Scottish Qualification Authority. It uses innovative practical methods to introduce techniques for studying, reading, writing and building self-confidence. In addition, it provides opportunity for staff to combine work experience with a unique structured learning format.

The programme is delivered during work time and within the workplace so that candidates can be released to attend. Candidates commit themselves to an average of 3 hours of course work per week in their own time, and there is also 60 hours of student to tutor contact time.