In praise of college learning

The poll quizzed a range of learners

People who left school with a negative attitude towards learning are having their lives transformed by study at local colleges, research suggests.

A poll of nearly 13,000 learners in England found 90% of adults and young people were satisfied with the teaching and training they were receiving.

People are gaining personal satisfaction through education and training as well as improving their skills

Bryan Sanderson, LSC chairman

The survey, commissioned by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), sought views from learners on apprenticeship schemes, in adult learning groups and in the further education sector - from sixth forms to agricultural colleges.

But despite the generally positive response, just over half the students in FE colleges felt some lessons had been unproductive.

The main reasons given for this were organisational or administrative, such as "left waiting around", "staff shortages" and "disruption from other learners".

And young people aged between 16 and 18 were less likely to feel the way they liked to learn was understood by their tutors.

There was also concern among ethic minority groups, particularly in the Asian community, about teaching styles.

These students were less likely to feel the teacher related to them as a person, the survey found.

And black and mixed race students were more likely to run into financial concerns.

'Improving skills'

LSC chairman Bryan Sanderson said: "These early findings indicate that people are gaining personal satisfaction through education and training as well as improving their skills. This is great news."

"As well as improving their skills, boosting their earning potential and helping our economy, people are enjoying themselves."

David Gibson, chief executive of the Association of Colleges, said: "These results show that colleges really are delivering the goods for their four million learners."

"Learners, employers, the government and the community at large can be confident that the monies invested in the sector are delivering high quality learning," said Mr Gibson.

Graham Hoyle, chief executive of the Association of Learning Providers said: "At last, confirmation that young people undergoing work-based learning - mainly modern apprentices - are receiving quality training, getting vital usable skills, getting and keeping their jobs - and even getting better ones."