Education and Training Glossary
A – B – C – D – E – F – G – H – I – J – L – M – N – O – P – Q – R – S – U – V – W
A
Access - This term refers to the methods by which people with a range of needs (such as disabled people, people with children or people whose first language is not English) discover and use services and information. For disabled people, access means the freedom to participate in the economy, in how a region is planned and in the social and cultural life of the community (RDA)
ACL – Adult & Community Learning (LSC)
Affordable housing - Housing designed to meet the needs of households whose incomes are not sufficient to allow them to access decent and appropriate housing in their borough. Affordable housing comprises social housing, intermediate housing and, in some cases, low market housing (RDA)
ALG - Adult Learning Grant (LSC)
ALG – Association of London Government
ALI – Adult Learning Inspectorate (LSC)
Amenity - An amenity is an element of a location or neighbourhood that helps to make it attractive or enjoyable for residents and visitors (RDA)
APL – Accreditation of Prior Learning (LSC/ESF)
APIR – Assessment Planning Implementation and Review (LSC)
Area for Intensification - Areas that have significant potential for increases in residential, employment and other uses through development of sites at higher densities with more mixed and intensive use (RDA)
Areas for Regeneration - These areas are the wards in greatest socio-economic need, defined on the basis of the 20 per cent most deprived wards in the London Index. (LDA)
Assisted Areas- The DTI designates Assisted Areas (on the basis of unemployment and other economic criteria) for regional aid to industry. (RDA)
AWI -Area Wide Inspection- an appraisal by OFSTED of 14-19 learning in an entire Local Education Authority, with the LLSC responsible for formulating and implementing a Post-Inspection Action Plan (LSC)
B
BEM – Black and Ethnic Minorities (LSC)
BEM – Business Excellence Model (LSC)
BIC – Business Innovation Centre (RDA)
BID – Business Improvement District (RDA)
BL4L – Business Link for London (see Business Link)
BME – Black and Minority Ethnic
BPR – Business Plan Review Process, as practised by some LSCs
BVR – Best Value Review (RDA)
Brownfield land - Both land and premises are included in this term, which refers to a site that has previously been used or developed and is not currently fully in use, although it may be partially occupied or utilised. It may also be vacant, derelict or contaminated. This excludes open spaces and land where the remains of previous use have blended into the landscape, or have been overtaken by nature conservation value or amenity use and cannot be regarded as requiring development (RDA).
Bursaries – Funds made available to individuals to enable take-up of specific training.
Business Link - regionally based, government funded (DTI) organisation tasked with providing business support to small and medium sized businesses in England.
C
Careers Scotland / Careers Wales – National initiatives offering advice on employment, enterprise and learning opportunities to individuals of all ages, employers and other guidance services.
CBI – Confederation of British Industry
CFO - Co-financing Organisation (ESF) CLF – Community Learning Fund (RDA)
CO – Co-ordinating Organisation (ESF)
CPD - Continuous Professional Development - Typically for individuals already working in the industry
CPO – Compulsory Purchase Order (RDA)
CRE – Commission for Race Equality
Creative Business Wales - provides focused, dedicated support to the film, television, new media and music industries in Wales.
CoVEs - Centres of Vocational Excellence in Further Education. Recognised and awarded by the Learning and Skills Council in England.
Cyfle – Skillset's Approved National Training Partner in Wales.
D
DCAL – Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure – in Northern Ireland DCAL is responsible for the central administration of arts and culture, museums, sports and leisure, libraries, inland waterways and various other cultural areas. DCAL's equivalent in England is the DCMS.
DCELLS - The Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills contributes to the Welsh Assembly Government's vision of better public services set out in ‘Making the Connections'.
DCMS - Department for Culture, Media and Sport - responsible for Government policy on the arts, sport, the National Lottery, tourism, libraries, museums and galleries, broadcasting, film, the music industry, press freedom and regulation, licensing, gambling and the historic environment. Following devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the devolved administrations have responsibility for many cultural matters in those parts of the UK. The DCMA works closely with the devolved administrations, sharing information and ideas on those matters which have been transferred to them and consulting them on UK wide matters for which DCMS has responsibility.
DDA – Disability Discrimination Act
DEFRA – Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
DEL – Department of Education and Learning – is responsible in Northern Ireland for all post-16 education, training and other workforce development issues with the aim of giving people the skills, knowledge and opportunities to work.
DETI – Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment – is responsible in Northern Ireland for economic policy, energy, tourism, consumer affairs, mineral development, labour market statistics and other business and enterprise related affairs.
DETR – Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions
DfEE – Department of Education and Employment
DfES - Department for Education and Skills - responsible for Government policy on education and skills in the UK. In Scotland and Wales, the DfES operates in conjunction with equivalent departments of the devolved administrations.
Diversity – The differences in the values, attitudes, cultural perspective, beliefs, ethnic background, sexual orientation, ability or disability, skills, knowledge and life experiences of each individual in any group of people. Valuing diversity refers to demonstrably valuing diverse employees, clients and customers by having policies and procedures that take into account their diverse needs and preferences.
DTI - Department for Trade and Industry – has the clear aim of generating wealth for everyone in the UK by helping people and businesses to become more productive and successful. It provides a regulatory framework to ensure that consumers and employees receive a fair deal, sets the policies, promotes best practice and delivers practical solutions to achieve long term prosperity for all.
DWP – Department for Work and Pensions
E
E&D – Equality & Diversity (LSC)
E2E - Entry to Employment (LSC)
EAL – English as Additional Language (see also ESOL) EBL – Education Business Link (LSC)
EBLOC – Education Business Link Organisation Consortium (LSC)
EBP – Education Business Partnership (LSC)
EC – European Commission (ESF)
EDIM – Equality and Diversity Impact Measures (LSC)
EDS – Economic Development Strategy (RDA)
EM – Ethnic Minority
EMA – Education Maintenance Allowance (LSC)
EMSAG – Ethnic Minority Student Achievement Grant (LSC)
ENTO – Employment National Training Organisation EO – Equal Opportunities (LSC) EP – English Partnerships (RDA)
Equal Opportunities – The development of practices that promote the possibility of fair and equal chances for all to develop their full potential in all aspects of life and the removal of barriers, discrimination and disadvantage experienced by certain groups.
Equity – Trade union representing artists and performers from across the entire spectrum of arts and entertainment.
ES – Employment Service (LSC/RDA)
ESF – European Social Fund - designed to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the European Union, it will provide about £4.5 billion in Great Britain (£3.5 billion in England) from 2000 – 2006. The ESF aims to: help unemployed and inactive people enter work; provide opportunities for people at a disadvantage in the labour market; promote lifelong learning; develop the skills of employed people; improve women's participation in the labour market.
ESOL – English for Speakers of Other Languages (see also EAL)
Estyn - is the office of Her Majesty's Inspectorate for Education and Training in Wales.
ETP – Employer Training Pilots (LSC)
EU – European Union
EYDCP – Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (LSC)
F
FE - Further Education
FEFC – Further Education Funding Council
fforwm - is the national organisation representing all 23 Further Education (FE) Colleges and two FE institutions in Wales.
FMA – Foundation Modern Apprenticeship
FRESA - Framework for Regional Employment and Skills Action - sets out how a regions' key funding and planning organisations will work together to ensure that the region can maintain and improve on its position as a leading global economic one.
Film Skills Fund - a £10 million a year fund over the next five years to support The UK Film Skills Strategy – The Bigger Future. Made up of National Lottery funds delegated to Skillset from the UK Film Council, contributions from the industry to the Skills Investment Fund, as well as Skillset, industry, public and European funds.
FTF – Freelance Training Fund - makes grants to organisations and individuals to deliver or attend training and development activities that will benefit the UK broadcast industry. The fund is supported by the major employers in broadcast and independent production for television: the BBC, Channel 4, ITV and the Independent Production Training Fund (administered by PACT, the producers Alliance for Cinema & Television).
Future Skills Scotland – is part of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. It is responsible for analysing Scotland's labour market and providing high quality labour market intelligence.
G
GSCE – General Certificate in Secondary Education
GOL – Government Office for London
H
HAZ – Health Action Zone (RDA)
HE - Higher Education
HEFCE - Higher Education Funding Council for England - Distributes public money for teaching and research to universities and colleges.
HEFCW - The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) is a Welsh Assembly Sponsored Public Body. It administers funds made available by the National Assembly for Wales to support education, research and associated activities at thirteen higher education institutions.
HEI – Higher Education Institution
HIE - Highlands and Islands Enterprise – the economic development agency for the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Supports businesses in the Highlands and Islands so that a strong, diverse and sustainable economy is created.
HR Toolkits - Human Resources and management techniques at the disposal of employers and professionals working in the industry.
I
IAG Partnership - Information, advice and guidance services.
ICT – Information and Communication Technology
IiP – Investors in People
ILR – Individual Learning Record (LSC/ESF)
ISR – Individual Student Record (LSC)
J
L
LEA – Local Education Authority
LDA - London Development Agency
learndirect - A network of online learning and information services. Learndirect is a government-sponsored initiative in flexible learning, intended to make possible the vision of a 'learning society' where everyone can learn and upgrade their skills throughout life.
learndirect scotland – champions the needs of Scotland's learners and potential learners, creating a framework which people from all walks of life can and do access learning at he place, time, pace and style which best suits their needs.
LECs - Local Enterprise Companies- The local offices of Scottish Enterprise which are located across the southern half of Scotland to help businesses access the services of Scottish Enterprise and its partners.
LID/LIDF – Local Intervention and Development Fund (LSC)
LIF – Local Initiative Fund (ESF)
LLDD - Learners with Learning Difficulties and / or Disabilities (LSC)
LLP – Local Learning Partnership (LSC)
LLSC – Local Learning and Skills Councils (LSC)
LMI – Labour Market Intelligence
LSC - Learning and Skills Councils - The Learning and Skills Council is responsible for funding and planning education and training for over 16-year-olds in England. With a budget of over £8 billion (2003-04) the Council operates through 47 local offices and a national office in Coventry. In Wales, ELWa (Education and Learning Wales) are responsible for post 16 education. In Scotland, responsibility lies with the Enterprise Agencies and LECs (local enterprise councils). In Northern Ireland responsibility currently lies with the relevant Government department.
LSP – Local Strategic Partnership - Cross-sectoral, cross-agency umbrella partnerships, which are focused and committed to improving the quality of life and governance in a particular locality. They seek to enable services to be aligned in a way that effectively meets the needs and aspirations of those who use them. (LSC)
M
Master classes - Intensive definitive sessions with highly experienced professionals.
Match funding – Partnership funding from industry or Government to enable adequate funds to be available to run a specific initiative.
MCID - Media Careers Information Days - Annual programme of careers fairs held at Universities across the UK and run by the BBC in partnership with the industry.
MEDIA programme - funded by the European Union, this initiative aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the European audiovisual industry with a series support measures dealing with training of professionals, project and company development.
N
National Assembly for Wales – is Wales' national government.
National Council for Drama Training – Promotes, enhances and maintains the highest possible standards of vocational training and education for the professional actor and stage manager/technician.
National Occupational Standards (NOS) -provide a clear description of what you need to be able do in order to perform your job successfully.
National Skills Strategy - The Governments flagship strategy for skills development in England. Details how employers, education organisations, individuals and public agencies across all sectors should work together to improve skills levels. Smart Successful Scotland provides the skills and enterprise framework for the Scottish Executive. In Wales, skills policies are governed by the Welsh Assembly's National Economic Development Strategy, A Winning Wales, the paving paper, The Learning Country and the more recent Skills and Employment Action Plan for Wales, 2003.
NDC – New Deal for Communities - An initiative that supports the intensive regeneration schemes that deal with problems such as poor educational attainment and poor job prospects in a small number of deprived local authorities. (RDA)
NEET – Not in Employment, Education or Training – of young people aged 16 – 19
NLDC – Neighbourhood Learning and Deprived Communities (LSC)
NLDF – Neighbourhood Learning Development Fund (LSC)
NLSC – National Learning and Skills Councils
NOMIS – http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/ – web based database of labour market statistics
NOS - National Occupational Standards – provide a clear description of what you need to be able do in order to perform your job successfully.
NRF – Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (ESF/RDA)
NRS – Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy (RDA)
NSA - National Screen Agencies - Development agencies charged with building vibrant and sustainable media sectors in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
NSNR - National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal: An action plan setting out a range of governmental initiatives aiming to narrow the gap between deprived areas and the rest of the country.
NTI – New Technology Institute (RDA)
NVQ – National Vocational Qualification
O
ODPM - The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the government department responsible for planning, local government and regional development.
OFSTED - Office for Standards in Education
OLP – Open Learning Partnership (LSC)
On-line learning – Flexible internet-based courses of study.
ONS – Office of National Statistics
Outreach – Proactive method of making connections and getting information to people.
P
P4P – Partnership for Progression – for raising the progression rate of young people into HE (LSC)
PIU – Performance and Innovation Unit (Cabinet Office)
PFA – Provider Financial Assurance (ESF)
Postgraduate – Qualification achieved after completing an undergraduate degree.
PPR – Provider Performance Review – a structured review process that each local LSC undertakes of its providers, at least annually.
PQASSO – Practical Quality Assurance System for Small Organisations (LSC)
Practice based – Practical, hands-on knowledge and experience.
PSA – Public Service Agreement
Q
QCA – Qualification and Curriculum Authority – maintains and develops the national curriculum and associated assessments, tests and examinations; and accredits and monitors qualifications in colleges and at work. In Scotland SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority); in Wales ACCAC (Qualifications, Curriculum & Assessment Authority); and in Northern Ireland CCEA (Council for Curriculum, examinations & Assessment)
R
RES – Race Equality Scheme (LSC)
RIF – Regional Innovation Fund (RDA)
RRR – Rapid Response Redundancy (LSC)
RDA - Regional Development Agencies - primary role is to strategically drive regional economic development. Established under the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998, they are non departmental bodies funded by Government through the Department of Trade and Industry.
RDP – Regional Development Plan (RDA/ESF/LSC)
RSA - Regional Screen Agency – development agencies charged with building vibrant and sustainable media sectors within the English Regions and encouraging public access to film culture. A screen agencies goal is to develop, strengthen and promote their region's film culture and industry by maximising potential for talent and crews, for audiences, for education, for production and distribution, and for resources in the film and media sector.
RSP – Regional Skills Partnership (RDA/LSC)
RSCP – Regional Skills and Competitiveness Partnership (RDA/LSC)
S
SBS – Small Business Service (RDA)
Scottish Enterprise – Scotland's main economic development agency, which is funded by the Scottish Executive. It supports Scottish businesses to get underway and continue to develop in order to build a world class economy for Scotland.
Scottish Executive – the devolved government in Scotland which is responsible for health, education, justice, rural affairs and transport, It was established in 1999 and now has a budget of over £20 billion.
SDF – Skills Development Fund (RDA)
SDS – Spatial Development Strategy (RDA)
Section 106 Agreements- These agreements confer planning obligations on persons with an interest in land in order to achieve the implementation of relevant planning policies as authorised by Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
SfL – Skills for Life (LSC)
SIC – Standard Industrial Classification
SIF - Skills Investment Fund - Levy collected and administered by Skillset and made up of contributions from all productions due for theatrical release that are based in the UK or are in receipt of UK public funding.
Skillset - The Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries which include Broadcast, Film, Video, Interactive Media and Photo Imaging.
Skillset Approved Training Partner - An organisation which has demonstrated that the training it offers meets the standards needed by the audio visual industries.
Skills for Business Network - A UK wide network of Sector Skills Councils that has been charged to lead the skills and productivity drive in industry or business sectors recognised by employers.
Skills gap - A gap within the knowledge, experience or expertise of an individual.
Skills shortage - A shortage of a specifically skilled individual within the workforce a sector.
SLA – Service Level Agreement
SME - Small and Medium Enterprises – businesses employing up to 199 employees (LSC definition)
SOC – Standard Occupational Classification
Social exclusion - A term for what can happen when people or areas suffer from a combination of linked problems, such as unemployment, poor skills, low incomes, poor housing, high crime environments, bad health and family breakdown.
Social inclusion - The position from where someone can access and benefit from the full range of opportunities available to members of society. It aims to remove barriers for people or for areas that experience a combination of linked problems such as unemployment, poor skills, low incomes, poor housing, high crime environments, bad health and family breakdown.
SRB – Single Regeneration Budget (ESF/RDA)
SSA - Sector Skills Agreements - UK wide agreements between employers and training providers brokered by Sector Skills Councils. SSAs give employers more say in determining the skills their business needs to increase productivity and profitability and will make sure the public education and training system delivers these needs.
SSAT – Sector Skills Action Team (LSC)
SSC - Sector Skills Councils – Independent, industry lead, UK wide organisations developed by groups of influential employers in industry or business sectors of economic or strategic significance and licenced by the Sectors Skills Development Agency (SSDA) SSCs are not public agencies but are in receipt of limited public funds. However, they have a key role in influencing where public investment in training and education for the sector is made.
SSDA - Sector Skills Development Agency - A non-departmental government body with a UK-wide remit formed on 1 April 2002. The SSDA's primary function is to improve the productivity of UK plc by tackling skills gaps and deficiencies through the development and funding of a network of employer-led Sector Skills Councils (SSCs).
SSF – Sector Skills Forum – Regional Fora of all Sector Skills Councils
StAR – Strategic Area Review (LSC)
Structured training - Training built around a framework designed to achieve a specific level of expertise or qualification.
T
TIZ – Town Improvement Zone (RDA)
TNA - Training Needs Analysis - A breakdown of the skills objectives of an individual to achieve a desired standard.
U
Ufi – University for Industry – aims to put individuals in a better position to get jobs, improve their careers and boost business competitiveness. Delivers its services through learndirect which offers course information, many online courses, and operates 2000 learning centres.
ULR – Union Learning Representative (LSC/RDA)
UK Film Council – The UK Film Council is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) established by DCMS in 2000 as the strategic agency for developing the film industry and film culture in the UK.
V
Vocational - Structured programs of practical learning designed to develop occupation skills. Sometimes described as practice based.
W
WRL – Work Related Learning
WfD – Workforce Development (LSC)