The Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Learners' Panel
The Panel will be made up of 16 learners and people involved in work-based learning from across the Yorkshire and the Humber Region. Learners will be appointed from South Yorkshire; North Yorkshire; West Yorkshire; and the Humber and East Riding.
The Panel is funded by the regional Learning and Skills Council, which plans and funds all post-16 learning in the region. The Panel is supported by NIACE, the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education.
The Panel will meet four times a year, usually in Leeds, although it can take place around the region if learners prefer. The meetings will coincide with important stages of the LSC's business cycle. Additional meetings will take place if necessary and learners will be invited to attend conferences and meetings led by other agencies, such as the Regional Development Agency, Yorkshire Forward and NIACE.
The Panel discusses all matters relating to the post-16 learning and skills sector and the LSC is looking for applications from full and part-time learners and those involved in work-based learning through apprenticeships and Train to Gain.
The meetings usually last all day, from 10:30 to 4:00, allowing time for travel. All travel and subsistence expenses will be paid and loss of earnings payments will be considered. There is no fee paid for being on the Panel.
The Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Learners' Panel was first established as a pilot (test phase) by the LSC in March 2007 and held its last meeting as a pilot Panel in October 2008. The new Panel will be recruited and will hold its first meeting in December 2008. Members will be expected to stay on the Panel for at least a year.
Individual members of the Panel are not expected to be representatives of the place where they are learning or working, but to be keen learners who like to make a difference.
The skills required will include being able to work as a member of a team; being able to express opinions and listen to the opinions of others; the ability to take in and make sense of sometimes complicated organisational structures; and the confidence to ask awkward questions! The most important thing is that you must have an interest in learning and skills and a love of Yorkshire and the Humber.
The Panel has a lot of fun and if you want to know more, please contact John Lawton:
Telephone 079200 40649
