Evaluation of Individual Learning Accounts: Final Report
ILA-supported learning
7.18 Learning providers were asked which of their course areas had been accessed with ILA support. The two most frequently mentioned course areas, ICT and Communication, were eligible for an 80% discount (if at an 'introductory' level). However, Maths/numeracy courses, even though they were also eligible for a similar discount, had proved far less popular (see Figure 7.8).
7.19 We had also asked providers to identify which of these courses had been offered via distance learning. Their responses are shown in the right hand columns of Figure 7.8. Their feedback shows that over three-quarters of the providers contacted had not offered any courses via distance learning.
7.20 Learning providers were then asked to identify which, if any, of their course areas had seen an increase in learner numbers resulting from the introduction of ILAs. Those most frequently mentioned were ICT courses (52%) and vocational/job-related courses (30%). Higher proportions of those in the FE (78%) and HE (100%) sectors reported an increase in demand for ICT courses (see Figure 7.9).
7.21 A further question was asked to identify which course areas had seen the largest increase in learners. Almost one-half (45%) of the providers who had noted an increase in their student numbers as a result of ILAs said that the largest increase had been in ICT. A far smaller proportion (16%) mentioned vocational/job-related courses. Communication courses accounted for 3%, but no-one mentioned Maths/numeracy.
7.22 New courses to attract ILA account holders had been introduced by 21% of providers (see Figure 7.10). The most common were ICT courses (74%), job-related/vocational courses (24%) and basic Maths/numeracy courses (2%). Despite attracting an 80% discount, none of the providers had introduced an introductory Communications course.
Advice and guidance
7.23 Scotland was the only part of the UK in which ILAs could be used to help pay for professional advice and guidance. Only 9% of the learning providers contacted during this survey said that anyone had used an ILA in this way. However, account holders may have used their ILA to help fund advice and guidance obtained from another service provider.
7.24 A slightly higher proportion of private sector providers (11%), those with fewer than fifty learners (13%) and those operating for between 1-2 years (19%) said that account holders had used their ILA to help pay for advice and guidance.