Glossary of terms
Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)
A process that enables people of all ages, backgrounds and attitudes to receive formal recognition for skills and knowledge they already possess
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
The process of identification, assessment and formal acknowledgement of prior learning and achievement
Action learning
Action learning occurs in a group called a ‘set’ – a space where peers work, advised by a facilitator, in a supportive and collaborative way around real issues that each are facing in their work
Adult and Community Learning (ACL)
An umbrella term that describes a diverse range of education for adults in mainstream institutions but also in others such as museums, libraries and voluntary and community-based organisations. See also Local Adult Learning Providers
Adult Education
A term that refers to a range of provision including local authority provision. It is often synonymous with ACL (see above). See also Local Adult Learning Providers
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS)
A government-funded organisation whose purpose is to help with employment relations by supplying up-to-date information, independent advice and high-quality training, and working with employers and employees to solve problems and improve performance
Appraisal
A process for evaluating the performance of individuals in an organisation usually through a face-to-face meeting between the employee and her/his manager. It is also a tool for guiding and managing the career development of an employee
Associate Teacher Learning and Skills (ATLS)
A teaching role which contains fewer teaching responsibilities than that of a QTLS in the lifelong learning sector. For full details see www.ifl.ac.uk/qtls-atls
Association of Colleges (AOC) LLUK national partner
An association that aims to promote the interests of further education colleges in England and Wales
Association of Learning Providers (ALP) LLUK national partner
A body representing independent learning providers throughout England. This usually means work-based learning provider
Association of National Specialist Colleges (Natspec) LLUK national partner
A membership association for independent specialist colleges for learners with complex learning difficulties and/or disabilities
The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) LLUK national partner
The professional organisation and trade union for teachers, lecturers and other educational professionals in further education and schools across the UK
Awarding Body (AB)
An organisation offering qualifications accredited by the regulatory authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Sometimes referred to as an Awarding Organisation
Awarding Organisation (AO)
An organisation offering qualifications accredited by the regulatory authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Sometimes referred to as an Awarding Body
The Association of Managers in Education (AMiE) LLUK national partner
The trade union and professional association for leaders and managers in colleges and schools
Blended learning
A blended learning approach can combine face-to-face instruction with computer-mediated instruction. It also applies science or IT activities with the assistance of educational technologies using computer, cellular or mobile technology, satellite television channels, videoconferencing and other electronic media
BME
Black and Minority Ethnic
British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (BECTA) LLUK national partner
The government agency leading the national drive to ensure the effective and innovative use of technology throughout learning
Business Plan
A document that summarises the operational and financial objectives of a business and contains the detailed plans and budgets showing how the objectives are to be realised
Catalyst
An LLUK programme supporting recruitment to the sector www.catalystprogramme.org
Centres for Excellence in Teacher Training (CETTs)
Centres for Excellence in Teacher Training (CETTs) are networks of partnerships of organisations involved in Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and continuing professional development (CPD) in the further education system
Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (CTLLS)
The qualification for those who practise as a teacher in the associate role (see ATLS)
ConnecT
An LSIS-led programme to develop information and learning technology (ILT) strategies in the work-based learning (WBL) sector and help extend and embed elearning technology www.lsis.org.uk/Servicesandsupport.aspx?id=E81397F5-D59B-4DFD-A728-8F73696DBAD8
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
The process of maintaining and developing skills, knowledge, competence and understanding throughout an individual’s working life
DDA
Disability Discrimination Act
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) LLUK national partner
The government department with responsibility for further and higher education
Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF)
The government department with responsibility for children's services, families, schools and 14-19 education
Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS)
The qualification for those who practise in the full teacher role (see QTLS)
Direct Gov
The website of the UK government for its citizens, providing information and online services for the public all in one place www.direct.gov.uk
E & D
Equality and diversity
E-learning
Electronic learning
ENTO
ENTO is a self-financing and independent organisation providing information, advice, guidance and support for those who use our National Occupational Standards
eQuiP
An LSIS-led e-learning quality improvement programme www.lsis.org.uk/Servicesandsupport.aspx?id=69ED1813-6369-4DF3-A784-CF0F414619A5
ESOL
English for speakers of other languages
Excellence Gateway
An LSIS online service for everyone who works in the post-16 learning and skills sector in England www.excellencegateway.org.uk
eXplorer
eXplorer is a blended learning programme, designed to develop a culture of innovation in the strategic leadership of e-learning and technology and to support the leadership of change in an evolving and uncertain environment www.lsis.org.uk/Servicesandsupport.aspx?id=B3FB9657-33F9-476D-9500-1FC27D2931CA
FE
Further education
FS
Functional skills
Functional Skills Support Programme (FSSP)
An LSIS-led programme of training and support is available to help providers prepare for functional skills teaching
Further Education Job Evaluation scheme (FEJE)
A scheme that aims to provide a fair, equitable, consistent, transparent, acceptable and affordable basis for determining the relative size of all jobs in further education establishments
Generator
A technology-led improvement leadership tool for further education and skills from BECTA www.generatorfeandskills.com
H & S
Health and safety
HE
Higher education
HEI
Higher education institution
HOLEX LLUK national partner
National network of local adult learning providers. Facilitates network and information sharing between member organisations
HR
Human resources
Human Resource Development (HRD)
A framework for helping employees develop their personal and organisational skills, knowledge, and abilities
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
The government executive agency whose job it is to protect people against risks to health or safety arising out of work activities
Institute for Learning (IfL) LLUK national partner
The professional body for teachers, trainers, tutors and student teachers in the learning and skills sector
Investors in People (IiP)
A non-departmental public body, which receives funding from the BIS. It is responsible for business planning, policy development and promotion of the Investors in People framework. In 2009, responsibility for The Investors in People Standard will be passed from Government to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES)
ITE
Initial teacher education, usually means the same as ITT
ITT
Initial teacher training, usually means the same as ITE
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) LLUK national partner
The public body responsible for planning and funding education and training in the lifelong learning sector
The Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) LLUK national partner
Responsible for self improvement and capacity building in the lifelong learning sector
Learning and Skills Network (LSN)
LSN is an independent not-for-profit organisation committed to making a difference to education and training
Learning Network
An ENTO support network for those who deliver, assess and verify NVQs
Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK)
Responsible for the professional development of all those working in the lifelong learning sector
Local Adult Learning Providers
A term used to refer to adult education or adult community learning. This term is used to distinguish adult learning providers from college provision (FE)
Local Education Authority Forum for the Education of Adults (LEAFEA) LLUK national partner
The national network of local authority adult learning officers
LSP
Learning support practitioner
Management Information System(s) (MIS)
A planned system for collecting, processing, storing and disseminating data in the form of information needed to carry out the functions of management
National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NVCO)
An organisation supporting voluntary organisations, social enterprises and Community Interest Companies (CIC)
The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) LLUK national partner
An organisation promoting adult learning through research, campaigning and publications
National Occupational Standards (NOS)
Occupational standards describe the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to undertake a particular task or job to a nationally recognised level of competence and are used to develop qualifications
National Reference Point (NRP)
Part of LLUK, the NRP offers advice and guidance on professional development for teachers of literacy, ESOL and numeracy (Skills for Life)
National Research and Development Council (NRDC)
The NRDC conducts research and development projects to improve literacy, numeracy, language and related skills and knowledge
The Network for Black Professionals (NBP) LLUK national partner
An organisation that addresses the under-representation of Black staff in the further education sector
The Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) LLUK national partner
Responsible for reviewing and monitoring the standards in education and training
Online Analytical Processing (OLAP)
An LLUK resource for analysing staff data
Organisational development (OD)
An organisation-wide analysis of the factors that encourage and inhibit performance undertaken with a view to implementing change programmes that will enable the organisation to adapt better to the fast-changing external environment of new markets, regulations, and technologies
Organisational Needs Analysis (ONA)
A method of collecting data in order to identify the training needs of employees in an organisation. Sometimes called a training needs analysis (TNA)
Organisational strategy
A carefully devised plan of action to achieve a goal, or the art of developing or carrying out such a plan
Performance management
The process of creating a work environment or setting in which people are helped to perform to the best of their abilities. Performance management is a whole work system that begins when a job is defined and ends when an employee leaves an organisation
PGCE
Post Graduate Certificate in Education
Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS)
The initial award undertaken by new teachers entering the lifelong learning sector
Professional Development Planning (PDP)
A tool or process individuals use to plan their continuing professional development
Professional Recognition Learning and Skills (PRLS)
A scheme to provide a route for existing practitioners to be recognised as teaching professionals without the formal qualifications that new entrants require to meet the current regulations
PT
part-time
Publically-Funded Independent Learning Providers
The most recent term for work-based learning (WBL) providers
QA
Quality assurance
QAA
Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)
The QCF is the new government framework which sets out how all regulated vocational qualifications are structured, titled and quality assured. To be phased in by the end of 2010
The Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA) LLUK national partner
The regulatory body for public examinations and publicly funded qualifications
Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS)
The award for fully qualified teachers in the FE sector. For full details see www.ifl.ac.uk/qtls-atls
Realise
An LSIS programme for leaders in work-based learning, focusing on effective implementation of e-learning and technology (ILT) strategies. It is a follow-on programme to ConnecT (see above). www.lsis.org.uk/Servicesandsupport.aspx?id=09686B44-040F-4F7F-B38B-FC3E7CA6B184
REfLECT
The IfL personal on-line CPD tool
Regional Development Agency (RDA)
A strategic agency tasked with bringing together views of the people who live and work in each region
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Programme (STEM)
A national programme addressing skills shortages and development in science, technology, engineering and mathematics
SEN
Special educational needs
Sixth Form Colleges' Forum (SFCF) LLUK national partner
A forum that lobbies on behalf on sixth-form colleges
Skills for Life (SfL)
A term for literacy, numeracy and ESOL learning and teaching in the further education sector
Skills for Life Support Programme (SFLSP)
An LSIS programme offering an integrated and cohesive programme to enable quality improvement and increase organisational capacity for self-improvement
SLDD
Students with learning difficulties and disabilities
SpLD
Specific learning difficulties
SSA
Sector skills agreement
SSC
Sector Skills Council
Staff Individualised Record (SIR)
A significant collection of workforce data in the further education college sector in England, managed by LLUK
Standards Verification UK (SVUK)
The subsidiary of Lifelong Learning UK responsible for the verification of initial teacher training plus other forms of workforce training and development
STAR awards
An LSIS award that recognises and rewards individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the quality of learning
Subject Learning Coaches
An LSIS programme providing support to colleagues through peer coaching
Succession planning
A process for identifying and developing internal personnel with the potential to fill key or critical organisational positions
SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats)
A planning tool for identifying and evaluating the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats within an organisation or project
Talent
Offers impartial advice on initial teacher training and continuing professional development for new and existing teachers and their employers, working in a range of teaching and learning contexts within the lifelong learning sector
Talent Management
Initially focusing on recruitment and retaining highly skilled employees, talent management may now also encompass organisational capability, individual development, performance enhancement and succession planning
Third Sector
Another name for the voluntary or not-for -profit sector; so-called because it is the place between the private sector and public sector
Total reward
A term that refers to the tools available to the employer that may be used to attract, motivate and retain employees. Total rewards include everything the employee perceives to be of value resulting from the employment relationship
Train to Gain
The national skills service meeting the needs of employers of all sizes and in all sectors to improve the skills of their employees as a route to improving their business performance
Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) LLUK national partner
The agency with responsibility for raising standards in schools
Training Needs Analysis (TNA)
A method of collecting data in order to identify the training needs of employees in an organisation. Sometimes called an organisational needs analysis (ONA)
Training Quality Standards (TQS)
An LSC initiative. The TQS is a framework and an assessment and certification process which recognises and celebrates the best organisations delivering training and development solutions to employers www.trainingqualitystandard.co.uk
UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES)
Government-led organisation originally created by the merger of two predecessor organisations, the Sector Skills Development Agency and the National Employer Panel
Unionlearn
An organisation that supports unions in their education and learning programmes
UNISON Public Service Union LLUK national partner
A union that represents support staff working in the lifelong learning sector
Universities Council for Education of Teachers (UCET) LLUK national partner
A national forum for the discussion of matters relating to the education of teachers and professional educators
University and College Union (UCU) LLUK national partner
The trade union for academics, lecturers, trainers and others working in further and higher education
Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
A VLE facilitates e-learning across an organisation, often for both inhouse and external students
Vocationally Related Qualification (VRQ)
Vocationally related qualifications are those that provide a broad introduction to a particular vocational area
Whole organisation approach (WOA)
This approach had its roots in the Skills for Life Improvement Programme (now the Skills for Life Support Programme). At its core is the importance of positioning literacy, language and numeracy provision centrally within any learning organisation
Work-based learning (WBL)
Training whilst a person is employed. Sometimes known as workplace learning (WPL) or on-the-job training. See also publicly funded independent learning providers
World Class Skills
Aims to support Learning and Skills Council (LSC) funded providers to enhance their employer responsive provision. http://wcs.excellencegateway.org.uk/
157 Group LLUK national partner
This is a group of larger colleges who have achieved at least a grade 2 on their last Ofsted inspection on leadership and management
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