New Approaches to Engaging Learners

Frank Pignatelli will discuss how learndirect scotland has seen significant success in engaging many thousands of disaffected and disillusioned learners. He will describe the theoretic framework within which this work has been done and will offer examples of the approaches which have led to this success.

learndirect scotland’s approach to learning is founded on a move from traditional pedagogic theories of learning, through andragogic theories which look towards education for capability, to heutagogic theories which emphasise self-determined learning. learndirect scotland has seen significant success in engaging many thousands of disaffected and disillusioned learners. Frank will describe the theoretic framework within which this work has been done and will offer examples of the approaches which have led to this success.

In direct support of the Scottish Executive’s Lifelong Learning Strategy, the mission of learndirect scotland is to help individuals and small businesses across Scotland to realise their potential through learning, at a time, place, pace and style that suits their needs.

Working closely with key partners, learndirect Scotland seeks to enhance the skills and employability of individuals and the competitiveness of companies, by encouraging disadvantaged and disaffected people back into learning to improve their personal and work-related skills and by helping small businesses to access training and development opportunities for their staff.

To support these aspirations, learndirect scotland has established a sophisticated, technology-enabled, national infrastructure, including a network of 500 quality-assured, client-focused learning centres; a national database of over 100,000 quality-assured learning opportunities; a range of national information and advice helplines; and a team of field-based support staff who assist learning centres and small businesses to engage more effectively and efficiently with their clients.

Frank Pignatelli, Chief Executive, Scottish University Industry (learndirect scotland)

Frank began his career as a languages teacher working in schools in areas of deprivation in Glasgow; during this time he qualified as an educational psychologist specialising in learning, memory and thinking.

Following a teaching career which included posts as principal teacher of modern languages and assistant headteacher (curriculum), Frank held various senior management positions before becoming executive director of Strathclyde's education service where he had responsibility for over 2000 schools, colleges and centres, including 21 further education colleges and all adult, continuing and community education provision across the region. During his period of office Strathclyde launched a number of early access initiatives and local collaborative projects aimed at engaging disaffected learners and published the seminal report “Every Child Is Special” which reviewed the regions approach to supporting children with special educational needs.

In the mid 1990s Frank moved to the private sector as group director of human resources with Associated Newspapers London, subsequently setting up his own business offering executive support and development to directors and senior managers of companies in the UK and Europe.

In November 1999 Frank was appointed as the first chief executive of the Scottish University for Industry, known to the public as learndirect Scotland. Frank was awarded a CBE in the 2005 New Years Honours list for services to education and lifelong learning.