The government wants your views on adult learning

Have your Say! Informal Adult Community Learning Survey 

What is this survey about?

It is part of the Government’s review of informal adult community learning (IACL). It is gathering the views of individuals rather than organisations.The government wants to hear your views on the kinds of learning that you would like in your local area and/or workplace and how you would like to have your say or get involved.

IACL is a term used to describe a wide range of learning covering many different topics. It does not usually lead to a qualification. People take part in informal adult and community learning for all kinds of reasons, such as:

    • to follow and interest
    • to improve their neighbourhood
    • to learn new skills
    • to improve their health
    • to help their children at school
    • to take a first step towards a job or more learning

IACL is funded in different ways, including fees from learners and public money from government. The government is currently reviewing how its funding is spent and wants to hear what members of the public think.

Why are your views important?

The government wants to hear individuals’ views on:

  • the kinds of learning that you would like to do
  • how learning should be planned and reviewed
  • how you can find out what learning is happening in your area
  • payment and fees
  • how you can get involved (e.g as a champion or session leader)
  • how you can have your say

Your response will help to influence how public money for informal adult and community learning is spent in your local area and what learning opportunities are available.

To have your say, take part in the online individual survey by 31 October 2011. This survey is aimed at learners and people who are not currently learning.

You might like to look at the survey questions as a Word document before you start. Please note, you must complete the survey online.

The individual survey is part of a wider government review of further education and skills policy. If you would like to find out more about the consultation for organisations, the details will be publicised via the BIS and NIACE websites once they become available.

Helping people to take part

We want as many people as possible to take part in this survey. You might be able to help others to have their say. We have developed some materials to support you if you are in a role such as:

  • learning champion
  • union learning rep
  • student / learner representitive
  • adult learning tutor
  • library and information staff
  • adult learning manager
  • voluntary and community organisation manager
  • community activist

Some people may find it difficult to access this survey as individuals (e.g. adults with learning difficulties and disabilities or with ESOL needs). You could consider running a discussion group to gather their views.

We have developed a guide to running a group session. We have also developed an easy read version of the questions to support group discussion.

If you wish to submit a response on behalf of a group, complete the group survey.

Other support materials are:

Information for intermediaries

What you can do to promote the IACL individual survey: guide for people working in related areas

Background to the IACL review

BIS definition of IACL

About the questions in the individual survey

Draft flier about the survey

Information for learners and members of the public

Easy read briefing

http://www.niace.org.uk/current-work/the-iacl-review