E-learning bodies in historic talks
In a historic move, representatives of the key industry bodies serving the corporate e-learning and related industries have met for joint talks with Atul Sharda, of the DfES E-Learning Strategy Unit. In the talks, held near Milton Keynes, these bodies discussed their responses to the Government's proposals on e-learning in the UK - published last July in the consultation document, 'Towards a Unified E-Learning Strategy'.
Press releases issued along with: The Institute of IT Training (IITT), The British Learning Association (BLA) and The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
The bodies represented at the talks were: the eLearning Network (ELN), the UK's foremost professional association for users and developers of all forms of e-learning; the Institute of IT Training (IITT), the standards-setting body for the development and delivery of IT training; the British Learning Association (BLA), which is committed to promoting excellence in learning and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD), the leading professional institute for those involved in the management and development of people.
Despite it being the first time that representatives of these organisations had met together officially, all parties described the talks as highly positive and constructive. As a result, the discussions are scheduled to resume in late March.
Vaughan Waller, chairman of the ELN, commented: "The aims of the talks were to ensure that the corporate element within e-learning in the UK was fully represented in the Government's consultation exercise and also to enable the DfES to explain to the corporate e-learning world what it is looking for from this consultation process. The talks represent an important first step in the process of understanding and co-ordinating the views of developers, buyers and users of e-learning materials within the corporate sector."
Nick Rushby, of Conation Technologies, who organised the meeting, said: "We were all encouraged that the DfES is looking to engage with the 'corporate' e-learning community and that enthusiasm is reciprocated. A unified e-learning strategy is important for our industry and we look forward to working with all of the stakeholders, bringing our collective expertise to bear on this challenging task."
Each industry body will be making its own, individual official response to the consultation document before the end of January, when the consultation period closes.
end
Notes for Editors:
Those present at the talks were:
DfES E-Learning Strategy Unit: Atul Sharda
ELN: Vaughan Waller, Phil Green, Jan Seabrook.
IITT: Tony Moss.
BLA: Karen Velasco, Jim Wilson, David Wolfson, Nick Rushby.
CIPD: Victoria Gill
About the Institute of IT Training
Formed in November 1995, the Institute of IT Training (IITT) provides a professional membership structure for all individuals involved in IT Training. Other key services include publishing standards that encompass all aspects of IT training, development and delivery and a comprehensive accreditation programme for any training service organisation.
Within the IT training industry, the IITT is driving standards through its competency frameworks and by encouraging world-leading qualifications such as TAP and CeLP. The Institute works with other organisations and professional bodies - first, to ensure its standards are as widely accepted as possible, and secondly to recognise other qualifications and experience and accept these against defined competency frameworks as evidence towards its own professional membership.
The IITT's philosophy is that the qualifications for admission to individual membership bands should realistically reflect job roles in the workplace. Therefore, qualification is achieved by proving competence in clearly defined training skills areas, along with technical expertise in the candidate's area of activity.
The Institute provides a comprehensive range of benefits and exclusive support services for its membership.
It also organises a range of awards - presented annually in February - to encourage and celebrate excellence within the IT training world.
About the British Learning Association (BLA)
The British Learning Association aims to be the premier independent organisation, with global reach, committed to excellence and best practice in learning, through innovative and well-established techniques and technologies. It:
- provides impartial information and advice on:
- best practice
- techniques and technologies in learning
- issues and events
- generates opportunities for networking and access to the collective expertise of the membership
- supports the use of quality models and promoting continuous improvements and
- maintains strategic links with key organisations, both UK and worldwide.
The British Learning Association is a registered charity and operates on a non-profit making basis. The non-commercial status means that the Association can offer an independent view without bias to any one sector.
About The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has over 118,000 members and is the leading professional institute for those involved in the management and development of people. The CIPD website address is http://www.cipd.co.uk