Diploma Reps project

Briefing prepared by Raj Jethwa

June 2008

Diploma Reps project

Concept

The TUC is proposing to develop a project to promote 'learner voice' among Diploma students, as a way of informing the implementation of Diploma courses. Diploma students will elect Young Reps who will receive training in advocacy and representation and be mentored by a union representative from the sector of their Diploma line. A pilot scheme will run from September 2008 in five locations focusing on the Engineering Diploma.

Project rationale

Although 'learner voice' strategies are a requirement of further education colleges, this is not yet the case with schools. The Diploma is a new programme representing a significant change in the 14-19 landscape. It is important that Diploma course teams consult with and listen to the voice of learners in planning and delivering their programmes. Citizenship learning is also an element of the programmes of study for all the diplomas, and the role of Young Rep also develops personal, learning and thinking skills.

Benefits

Such a project would

• Improve the quality of Diploma teaching and learning by harnessing the learner voice;
• Involve trade unionists in Diploma learning and spreading the message about the importance of lifelong learning;
• Contribute to Diploma applied learning and employer engagement;
• Help students to develop skills of effective participation and active citizenship.

The TUC will develop a one-day training programme for Young Reps, and support materials on the project for Diploma partnerships and trade union mentors. The TUC will work with affiliated unions, initially in the Engineering sector, to identify workplace representatives or activists who are willing to act as mentors. Briefing and support materials will be provided for trade union mentors.

The project will be piloted in the Engineering Diploma. The TUC will invite successful 14-19 partnerships starting the Engineering Diploma in September 2008 to participate, initially by making an expression of interest. The TUC would like to identify five partnerships around the country to test out the materials and Young Reps project prior to a wider roll out.

So far a number of consortia have already expressed an interest and union mentors, course leaders, and course tutors will be invited to attend a briefing session. It is important that participating Engineering Diploma Partnerships (EDPs) see this as a strategy across the partnership rather than something to be tested in one course. They will need to commit to a year of the pilot, to undertake CRB checks on mentors and to facilitate the work of the Young Reps.

Election and training of reps

There should be a minimum of 6 Young Reps elected from across the partnership (from schools and college) from 2 or more Diploma courses. Following this briefing EDPs would commit to the pilot and facilitate the election of Young Reps using agreed processes. Following elections, a one-day training session in the local area should be organised, which would include attendance by mentors.

Reps and mentors

The focus of the role is upon the Diploma course, and collecting data and issues from fellow students in order to articulate the learner voice to the course team leader. There should be regular meetings of students and other forms of collective learner voice should also be tested. Young Reps will visit their mentor at the workplace and attend a union meeting if feasible. Mentors will attend a student meeting and offer constructive feedback. Mentors will agree to respond to email queries (from a school or college address) from Young Reps received via a work email (for monitoring purposes).

Mentors and Young Reps would have a review meeting at a mid-point in the academic year to discuss what has gone well, what has gone less well and what sort of issues have arisen. There will be a similar end of year (and end of pilot) review.

The materials will be made available on the TUC website for free download.

Contact

For more information, please contact Raj Jethwa on 020 7467 1245 or e-mail: rjethwa@tuc.org.uk.

Briefing document (700 words) issued 30 Jun 2008