IAG

Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) was a cross-sector area of work for Progress South Central.

Many agencies and institutions were engaged in delivering or supporting IAG for learners and employers across the region. All had different expertise, opportunities and constraints, and vocational learning, in particular, is a continually developing field. The role of Progress South Central was to support the services within our area and to assist other agencies when there were gaps in the provision.

'2012 and beyond - exploring the implications of the changing HE landscape'

This was the final IAG event, which was run jointly with Aimhigher MKOB and was held on the same day that the White Paper came out, 28th June 2011.

'Flexible Access Routes and Admissions to HE'
Conference delivered jointly with Aimhigher MKOB, aimed at highlighting the increasing importance of flexible and part-time progression routes to HE and to provide practitioners with information on how best to support students' progress to HE via non-traditional routes.

'Progression via work-based learning' conference at the Oxford Belfry
Conference delivered jointly with Aimhigher MKOB, aimed at practitioners working in the field of information, advice and guidance. Designed to raise awareness of progression to HE via work-based learning, including progression via Foundation degrees, HNCs, professional qualifications and apprenticeships.

Learning Opportunities in the South East
This important cross-regional initiative has produced information, advice and guidance to support higher education vocational curriculum development and progression across nine counties. The Learning Opportunities website aims to provide a 'one stop shop' for learners who know little or nothing about higher education. The website has been complemented by a booklet for each LLN's area, a CD guide 'How to get the best from Learning Opportunities' and an adviser's pack, as well as a range of marketing materials.

OTHER EXAMPLES OF OUR IAG PROJECTS

IAG Conference at Easthampstead Park [October 2009]
Free conference for IAG practitioners from across the region

Investigation into IAG for Year 11s
This study, carried out by the University of Reading Institute of Education, aimed to better understand year 11 students' attitudes towards the post 16 IAG they receive and their attitudes towards vocational education and training.

Learning Advice in Community Settings
Development of a three-day advice course for frontline staff operating in a range of adult and community settings, leading to an OCN Learner Adviser Award

'Progression to Higher Education' Toolkit
The 'Progression to HE' Toolkit was designed for use by guidance workers with groups of learners, and includes the Getting through the maze board game.

'Changing Routes to Higher Education' [September 2008]
Progress South Central's first conference for IAG staff, aimed at guidance workers working with young people, college students and adults

'Destinations'
Provision of expertise for the development of a web resource for Foundation degree students by the Centre for Career Management Skills at the University of Reading