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Education and learning
National Learner Panel: involving learners in shaping further education
The National Learner Panel advises the government on how proposed changes to further education in England will affect learners. It’s made up of volunteers taking part in further education – giving people like you a voice in shaping learning.
What the National Learner Panel does
Apply to join the panel
Want to help shape further education?
Applications to join the 2009/2010 panel are now open
The National Learner Panel was set up by the government to give learners a say in the development of further education at a national level. The panel provides advice to the government and other organisations involved in making the decisions.
By giving a learner’s perspective on policies, proposals and initiatives, it aims to make a difference to your experience of further education - whether you’re in work-based learning, studying at a college, taking an evening class or in another form of adult learning.
Issues the panel has looked at in the past include:
- how to make sure learners’ views are taken into account during college inspections
- how best to introduce reforms aimed at raising the level of skills in the UK
- proposals to raise the minimum age at which young people can leave education or training
Who’s on the National Learner Panel
Panel members are part-time, independent volunteers. Anyone in further education is eligible to apply to join the panel - all that’s needed is an interest in further education and a commitment to making sure it meets the needs of learners.
Members reflect the wide variety of learners in further education. They’re drawn from across the sector, including learners at college and in work-based learning.
14-19 Learner Panel
The government has also recently set up a new panel to involve learners in improving education for 14 to 19 year olds. The new panel will operate alongside the National Learner Panel.
Members include young people studying for a wide range of courses and qualifications. These include:
- new qualifications (like Diplomas, functional skills and the Foundation Learning Tier progression pathways)
- general qualifications (GCSEs and A Levels)
- vocational courses (such as young apprenticeships, BTECs and NVQs).
The panel is also open to younger learners still in Key Stage 3.
Find out more about the panels
Follow the link below to find out more about:
- how the panels work
- who the panel members are, and what they think
- how you can apply to join one of the panels in future
- how you can keep up to date with the panels’ work
