Posted: 26/01/10
Luke is on the panel
President of West Nottinghamshire College Students' Union, Luke Frakes, is off to Manchester this week to get his views on further education heard at the next National Learner Panel (NLP) meeting.
The panel consists of people currently studying within the FE sector. This group of twenty learners are selected from across the country and invited to share their opinions and constructive criticism with various government departments on upcoming policies, in a hope to influence and shape the future of FE.
Luke has attended a training session and one panel event so far where he has met with other panel members. This Thursday (28 Jan) he heads to Manchester where the panel will be consulting with educational bodies Ofqual and Ofsted on how assessments and qualifications in FE can be improved and the issue of the single equality scheme.
Issues the panel has focused on in the past include:
- how to make sure learners’ views are taken into account during college inspections
- how best to introduce reforms aimed at raising the level of skills in the UK
- proposals to raise the minimum age at which young people can leave education or training
Luke said: “The NLP is a great opportunity to be heard at a national level. At the last event we met Lord Young, Minister for Schools at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. We questioned him on a number of FE matters and it was a great experience to meet such an influential MP who listened to the learners.”
