Birmingham, Black Country and Solihull
Institutions
- University College Birmingham (lead);
- Aston University;
- University of Birmingham;
- Birmingham City University;
- Birmingham Metropolitan College;
- Open University;
- Newman University College;
- University of Wolverhampton;
- Bournville College of Further Education;
- Cadbury Sixth Form College;
- Dudley College;
- Fircroft College of Adult Education;
- City College, Birmingham;
- Halesowen College;
- Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College;
- King Edwards Sixth Form College, Stourbridge;
- Queen Alexandra College;
- Sandwell College;
- South Birmingham College;
- Solihull Sixth Form College;
- Solihull College;
- Stourbridge College;
- Walsall College of Arts and Technology;
- Wolverhampton City College.
Main contact
Patrick Highton, Director, Cambrian Hall, Brindley Drive, BIRMINGHAM B1 2NB, tel 0121 212 9205, fax 0121 212 9203, e-mail p.highton@bcftcs.ac.uk
Other contacts
- Administrator: Rebecca Pine, e-mail r.pine@bcftcs.ac.uk
- Progression Co-ordinator - Construction, Health Sciences and Medical Technology: Kevin Moran, e-mail k.moran@bcftcs.ac.uk, mobile 07795 571978
- Research Co-ordinator - High Technology Engineering: Paul Kitchen, e-mail p.kitchen@bcftcs.ac.uk, mobile 07917 652603
Web-site
Award
£3.899 million
Period of funding
Jan 2007 - July 2009 (extended to December 2010)
Summary
Birmingham, Black Country and Solihull (BBCS) aims to create an environment within the LLN region that promotes equitable access to all levels of higher education for vocational, work-based and career-orientated learning routes. BBCS will work towards establishing and delivering equal opportunities in academic and vocational learning pathways.
The creation of an effective Lifelong Learning Network in Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull is essential to the developing economy of the West Midlands region. Through its concentrated effort on four curriculum and sector skill areas - Health, Social Care, Early Years and Education; Construction; High Technology Engineering; Health Sciences and Medical Technology - BBCS LLN will create the basis for widespread transformation of higher education provision in the interests of vocational learners and responsive to employers in the region. The LLN will be a catalyst for making higher education more accessible to vocational learners and increasing social mobility for disadvantaged groups.
BBCS will introduce many more opportunities for learners coming from vocational programmes in schools and FE, and for older adults at work or involved in their local community. The activities of the LLN will be focused on establishing key mechanisms that will enable such learners to fulfil their potential in higher education by providing, for example:
- information, advice and guidance; and learner support
- curriculum development and flexible provision
- engagement with employers
- progression frameworks and agreements
- credit accumulation and transfer.
Last updated 22 July 2009