E d u c a t i o n M a t t e r s Education Matters
So, What’s in it for the Adults..?
Often when we speak of ‘education’ our minds turn to children. But the RAF has Learning Resource Centres and Personal Learning Advisors. So what is there available for the adults and are families included?
Squadron Leader Paul Scott, SO2 Learning Forces, 22 (Training) Group addresses some of the issues.
T
he RAF Learning Forces initiative encourages and supports lifelong learning. As a concept, lifelong learning promotes the
notion that ‘it's never too soon or too late for learning’.
One of the reasons why lifelong learning has become so important is the acceleration of scientific and technological progress. Despite the duration of primary, secondary and university education, the knowledge and skills acquired there are usually not sufficient for a professional career spanning three or four decades. Whilst, undertaking study may therefore prove beneficial within the workplace, there is also a great deal of satisfaction to be achieved from learning something new, upgrading new skills and gaining a new qualification.
Whatever your interests, age, experience or academic level there are likely to be education opportunities that can provide a sense of achievement and satisfaction. The RAF Personal Learning Advisors (PLAs) at units offer excellent advice and guidance regarding available education opportunities and have a superb knowledge of local training providers. They also manage the RAF Learning Centres and their associated learning facilities.
Courses at local Colleges Your local PLA will have copies of local college prospectuses and is able to offer advice on enrolment dates. Most conventional courses run from September/October through to the following May/June, but many colleges now
www.raf-families-federation.org.uk
run flexible shorter courses on an open learning basis and you can often start them at any time. Each Learning Centre hosts a College open day each year where local college representatives are available to answer questions and elaborate on course brochures. PLAs also co-ordinate local events to support National Adult Learners Week. Further details online at http://www.
learning-forces.org.uk
Broadband E-Learning Suite Each Learning Centre is equipped with computer terminals with broadband connectivity to support learning and associated research. The Internet has provided particular appeal to learners, offering the ability to control their own study and learn ‘anywhere, anytime’. For those who dislike computer-based learning, many training providers prefer to offer ‘blended learning’ consisting of some classroom activity combined with some distance learning and perhaps even on-line discussion forums. Many Learning Centres have 24/7 access for both Service personnel and dependants over the age of 16 years. In order to use these facilities, individuals are required to complete a short induction including signing Security Operating Orders.
Defence E-Learning Learning Centres Better known as DELCs they are run by Defence Business Learning (Db Learning). Whilst there is not a DELC at each unit, there are a total of 25 throughout the country and a further 6 overseas. The Centres provide a wide variety of computer based training courses funded centrally and most are free
at the point of use by Service personnel and dependants. Whilst, the courses available to dependants are only available ‘offline’, this still provides no fewer than 304 courses including basic language courses (10+ hours), Office software applications (4 to 5-hours) and even the ‘Secrets of Women Leaders’ (3-hours). Further information is available at
www.delc.co.uk
Station Library
Most Learning Centres continue to provide a Station Library for use by Service personnel and their dependants, MOD Civilians and contracted staff. Fiction, non-fiction, periodicals and reference books are often available. There are often also GCSE course guides and revision manuals, alongside interactive learning opportunities, audio language cassettes and CD-ROMs.
Financing your Studies Non-serving personnel may feel they lack financial support to undertake study however the Government intends to encourage lifelong learning further with the provision of improved financial support in the form of something called ‘Skills Accounts’. These are central to present plans to improve the knowledge and skills of the country and are likely to provide each individual with an annual grant to undertake personal development. Details surrounding this scheme remain quite scarce at present although are expected to be introduced in 2010/11.
Winter 2008 23
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