Objectives

Overall Objective

The overall objective of Linking London is to improve the coherence, clarity and certainty of progression opportunities for vocational learners into and through higher education. At the core of our work is the development of Progression Agreements across the network, providing a consistent approach to progression:

Encourage Curriculum Development

One of the key areas of Linking London’s work is to focus on curriculum development, to identify courses and curriculum for development that will support progression for vocational learners and provide the skills required by local employers. We work with partners to develop new courses, particularly short, flexible HE provision, aimed at employers and employees. For information on the funding available for curriculum development work click here.

For some case studies of curriculum development work click here. 

Improve Information Advice and Guidance (IAG)

Adults in the workplace and vocational learners in education considering HE are poorly served by the information available to support them in making informed choices. Instead, careers information typically focuses on younger applicants studying A-levels and planning to go on to full time HE study. Linking London is working with partners and other stakeholders to make sure that information for vocational applicants considering higher level study is up to date, accurate and complete.  To see some of our IAG resources click here.

Raise Awareness of Vocational Qualifications

As advocates for vocational learners, we are working to make sure that all HEI staff understand the content of vocational qualifications, so that they know what to expect from students in terms of their study skills and preparedness. We also work with our FE partners to help them best prepare their students for progression to higher level study. As an honest broker in the FE/HE interface we are able to feedback points of note and issues to our key stakeholders and government offices.

Guide Partners Through a Period of Change

Vocational qualifications have been subject to enormous change. The new and potentially complex structure of emerging, as well as established, qualifications can be difficult for partners to keep up with. We are working with IAG staff, HE admissions tutors and the various National Awarding Bodies to help us all understand these changes. We also work by providing appropriate and timely staff development opportunities, and by offering access to the progression advice line (PAL) to answer queries on issues related to vocational progression.

A National Proposal to Provide a Centralised Source of Part-Time Study Information