INTGRTY ARTICLES WRITTEN BY OUR LEARNERS

This year we piloted the Advanced Certificate on Occupational Learning: Learning and Development Advisor, on NQF Level 7. Learners had to submit more than 50 practical assignments to be declared ready for the EISA. This gave me the idea to share their products with other learning providers and learners in occupational and vocational learning. So, I asked the learners who achieved a distinction for assignments for permission to publish their submissions as articles on our Intgrty website.

We have the written permission of the learners to publish their work. However, it must be done anonymously.

Setting up a Learning and Development Community of Practice to identify, analyse, discuss, coordinate and publicise funding mechanisms for the implementation of learning and development best practice.

Introduction. The project will be executed by a focus group of learning and development professionals. Here is what they will do.

Collaborative projects. The focus group will undertake collaborative projects aimed at identifying and analysing potential funding sources. By working together on these initiatives, members can leverage each other’s strengths, skills, and networks to achieve common goals.

Documentation and communication. The focus group will document discussions, findings, and decisions made during meetings. This documentation will serve as a valuable resource for current and future members, fostering a culture of continuous learning. Additionally, the focus group will communicate its insights and recommendations to the broader Learning and Development Community of Practice, promoting transparency and collective growth.

Continuous Improvement. The focus group will regularly evaluate its processes and outcomes to identify areas for improvement. By reflecting on their experiences, members can adapt their approaches and enhance the effectiveness of the Community of Practice.

Funding sources for learning organisations. To fund the establishment or growth of our learning organization, our focus group will pursue the following strategies as part of the Learning and Development Community of Practice:

Grants and sponsorships. We will research and apply for relevant grants from government agencies, foundations, and corporations that support skills development and training initiatives. Our focus group will leverage the collective expertise of the Community of Practice to identify promising funding opportunities and craft compelling grant proposals.

Crowdfunding. We will launch a targeted crowdfunding campaign to raise money from individual donors who support our mission and vision. By leveraging our personal and professional networks, we aim to raise seed funding to get our learning organization off the ground. The Community of Practice can help promote the campaign and provide best practices.

Partnerships. We will seek strategic partnerships with complementary organizations that can provide financial support, in-kind donations, or other resources. By aligning with groups that share our values and goals, we can access new funding streams and expand our reach. The Community of Practice can facilitate connections and help negotiate mutually beneficial partnerships.

Earned revenue. To build long-term financial sustainability, we will develop earned revenue streams such as training fees, consulting services, and product sales. Our focus group will analyse the market, identify unmet needs, and design offerings that generate income while advancing our mission. The Community of Practice can provide guidance on pricing, marketing, and scaling revenue-generating activities.