Leeds City College Joins Prestigious National Network to Share Technology Excellence

Leeds City College has won national recognition for the way it uses digital technology, computers and the web to help its learners succeed.

The College has been accepted as a member of the prestigious Technology Exemplar Network – a national group of further education colleges and skills training bodies – which promotes and shares innovative and excellent use of technology.

Success in being appointed to the network is a huge achievement for Leeds City College, as only 61 out of more than 220 applicants across the country were selected. It recognises the strength of the College’s commitment to transforming its teaching, learning and management through the use of digital technology.

As a member of the Network, Leeds City College will also contribute effective practice and its positive experiences to other colleges and training groups, locally, regionally and nationally.

The Technology Exemplar Network was launched in 2008 to help colleges and other learning and training organisations use technology more effectively by sharing best practice. It is led by Becta – the government’s educational technology agency – and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).

The initiative gained a major boost recently when Lord Mandelson, the government’s Business Secretary, speaking at the World Forum for Learning and Technology in London, announced a doubling in the size of the operation. The expansion of this network will benefit 2 million learners and 50,000 FE teachers and trainers across the UK.

Leeds City College will now join this important and influential network of 113 members. The national network is led by 16 ‘Exemplars’, each working with a mini-network of 8-9 members including colleges, work-based learning providers, adult and community learning and the Offenders’ Learning and Skills Service (OLASS).

Membership of the network is recognition of the College’s commitment to the government strategy, Harnessing Technology, and its efforts to improve achievement and have an impact on learners.

Jane Williams, Becta’s Executive Director for Further Education and 14-19, said:
“The effective and creative use of technology in learning is the key to better results for learners, their local communities and employers. Becta is committed to helping FE and skills providers harness the power of technology to improve the learning experience and attainment while offering greater efficiencies.

“The addition of Leeds City College to the Technology Exemplar Network is clear evidence that more organisations in the FE and skills sector are recognising the benefits ICT can bring.”

Becta is pleased to be working with the LSC on the Technology Exemplar Network at a time when the FE and skills sector is becoming increasingly confident in its use of technology. Research from Becta shows that 35% of colleges, 37% of work-based learning providers and 31% of adult and community learning providers are now mature in their use of technology (up from 25%, 35% and 20% in 2007).
Geoff Russell, Chief Executive of the Learning and Skills Council, said:

“The highly successful Technology Exemplar Network has promoted the unique, added value of technology in learning. In recognition of this the LSC will be continuing its support for the Network as it enters this important, second phase.

“The Exemplar Network itself is a fine example of peer-to-peer knowledge cascade and effective practice transfer, which will continue to drive further improvements in provider capability and learner achievement and retention in our sector.”

To see the full list of participating providers please go to: www.becta.org.uk/feandskills/exemplarnetwork.

Further Information

For more information or interviews, please contact:

Patrick Southwell 0207 025 6507 / Patrick.southwell@redconsultancy.com
Heidi Jutton 0207 0256585 / Heidi.jutton@redconsultancy.com
Kate Cox 02476 797146 / Kate.Cox@becta.org.uk

About Becta
Becta is the government agency leading the national drive to ensure the effective and innovative use of technology throughout learning. It aims to utilise the benefits of technology to create a more exciting, rewarding and successful experience for learners of all ages and abilities, enabling them to achieve their potential.

About Learning and Skills Council
The LSC exists to make England better skilled and more competitive. They are responsible for ensuring the availability of high-quality education and training for everyone. They have a single goal: to improve the skills of England’s young people and adults to world class standards. Their vision is that young people and adults in England have knowledge and skills matching the best in the world and are part of a truly competitive workforce. They work nationally, regionally and locally to deliver this ambition on behalf of learners and employers.

Press Contact
Kathy Sharpe
Marketing & PR Coordinator
Leeds City College
t: 0113 216 2561
e: katherine.sharpe@leedscitycollege.ac.uk