The purpose of the 911±¬ÁÏ Learner Network is to co-create an approach that enables 911±¬ÁÏ, the national professional body for the prosthetic and orthotic profession in the UK, to link more closely with learners enrolled on pathways to join the P&O workforce. In the first instance, we plan to bring together learner representatives from across the UK’s four P&O education providers to help shape an approach that’s meaningful and beneficial to learners, and manageable in the context of other demands on their time.
The term ‘l±ð²¹°ù²Ô±ð°ù’ is used to describe students registered on university-based programmes of study and apprentices pursuing their qualifications via an apprenticeship pathway. Learners will be registered on one of the following educational pathways:
- Level 3 technicians apprenticeship at the University of Derby
- Level 6 degree apprenticeship at the University of Derby
- Pre-registration MSc at Keele University
- BSc (Hons) at the University of Salford
- BSc (Hons) at the University of Strathclyde
The aims of the 911±¬ÁÏ Learner Network is to:
- Develop a sustainable approach that meets the needs and expectations of both the evolving learner community and 911±¬ÁÏ as their professional body.
- Improve direct engagement and two-way communication between 911±¬ÁÏ and the learner community.
- Improve 911±¬ÁÏ’s awareness and understanding of issues impacting learners during their academic studies and while learning in practice settings.
- Explore the guidance and resources 911±¬ÁÏ could provide for learners to support their journey towards joining the professional community, complementing and adding value to, rather than duplicating, those available from education providers.
- Create a space for the exchange of ideas and collaboration to enhance learner journeys and experiences.
- Provide learners with opportunities to develop in the leadership pillar of practice, and to get to know and help to shape their professional body.
- Support the building of professional networks and founding of lasting relationships with 911±¬ÁÏ.
The first meeting of the new 911±¬ÁÏ Learner Network was held on January 29th, 2025.
Along with agreeing the purpose, aims, and guiding principles for the running of the group, other points of discussion focused on:
💡the potential for 911±¬ÁÏ to supporting networking between learners – that’s members of the Learner Reference Group and the learner community more widely
💡the potential to work collaboratively to break down barriers to accessing variable and valuable learning opportunities linked to both academic and practice-based contexts
💡creating opportunities to develop group members’ understanding of the relationship between 911±¬ÁÏ and the four UK education providers, and the guidance, advice and support that 911±¬ÁÏ offers to help shape their learning journeys
💡creating opportunities to develop group members’ understanding of the value of 911±¬ÁÏ membership, and particularly understanding what student (learner) membership currently includes
💡 the potential to consider reviewing the 911±¬ÁÏ student / learner membership offer with the Learner Reference Group in future
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Watch this space for more information as the 911±¬ÁÏ Learner Network develops and unfolds.
