CALL - Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning

NAVCA joins the CALL - Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning

NAVCA is pleased to add its backing to the Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning - a campaigning network initiated by the Workers Educational Association, the National Institute for Adult and Community Education, the National Union of Students, UNISON and the University and College Union.

This Alliance is supported by hundreds of learning providers, community and learning groups and voluntary sector support and development organisations across the country. The shared vision is that of the role of lifelong learning in wellbeing, in the social health of communities and in the economic growth of society as a whole.

CALL is a non-party political alliance which believes that our learning and education system should provide the following:

1. equality of access to high quality education for all learners (regardless of: class, gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, asylum status or employment status), including a statutory right to learning in the workplace.

2. universal access to basic skills, ESOL and ICT courses and a first level three qualification regardless of age.

3. learner, teacher and community involvement in all levels of decision-making about their learning wherever it takes place.

4. learning for personal wellbeing and development and the maintenance of local authority adult education.

5. a path out of poverty and disadvantage including widening participation in higher education and the provision of a second chance later in life.

6. a stable, motivated and rewarded workforce of professional practitioners.

NAVCA works to support its members and the wider voluntary sector in its invaluable work in providing learning and skills. It is estimated that 6 out of every 10 voluntary organisations provide some kind of learning to their users. Research from the Learning and Skills Council published in 2010 has confirmed the value of the sector's contribution:

'Within every funding stream, third sector learners are more likely to have a learning difficulty or disability, and in Work Based Learning and European Social Fund provision, they are more ethnically diverse and also more likely to be resident in a deprived area.'

What is also interesting from this research is that when we look at how good the voluntary sector learning provision actually is:

'Achievement rates for third sector Further Education learning aims are significantly higher than those for non-third sector FE learning aims (88% vs 75%).'

Supporters are urged to let CALL know of any cuts in adult and community learning in their area and of the impact from any cuts in funding. CALL also provides resources to help supporters make the case for adult learning to both Members of Parliament and to local councillors. We will keep you informed of future CALL activities and progress.

You can find out more about campaign on the CALL website.