New award for careers information and advice
Unionlearn is introducing a new version of the Quality Award* for careers information and advice. The new award will be available to all national, regional and local services with a robust process for working with unions, and who can meet the assessment criteria. Providers achieving the award for their services will be publicised on the unionlearn* website.
The new Quality Award will mean that careers information and advice services that achieve the standard have shown that their service is:
- accessible to working people
- flexible and adaptable to the needs of union members
- delivered by trained and experienced staff who have an understanding of workplaces and of unions
- based on consultation with unions and in line with their aims and values
- impartial and confidential, with strong equality and diversity policies
- part of a quality assured network for signposting and referral
- representative of best practice and endorsed by appropriate assessors and inspectors.
Organisations achieving the new Quality Award, include the unionlearn learning and careers advice service, nextstep providers, college services, SSCs* and unions who are delivering an information and advice service to members. As more providers receive the award, ULRs will be able to identify union-friendly services.
Achieving the unionlearn Quality Award will:
- be an incentive for providers to work with unions and to reach more learners
- provide a standard for working with unions and union learners
- signpost ULRs to union friendly provision
- increase union leverage and influence with providers
- help unions obtain high quality data about their learners from providers.
If you are a service provider and would like to apply, contact regional unionlearn staff for more details, or Ian Borkett, Standards and Quality Manager Iborkett@tuc.org.uk . You can find out more by visiting www.unionlearn.org.uk/qualityaward
Briefing document (300 words) issued 30 Jun 2009
