New Manager for Pioneering Learning Network

Gary Mallon from Crosby has been appointed as the Project Manager of the Greater Merseyside and West Lancashire 'Lifelong Learning Network,? as part of a national scheme that will see thousands of people across the country benefit from vocational progression opportunities and greater access to higher education.

Edge Hill, which is applying for university status, is leading the initiative that is one of the first in the country.

Gary?s career to date has been dedicated to increasing access to further and higher education. His first major role was as School Liaison Officer at Solihull College of Technology, a position he held for ten years.

His role involved working in partnership with schools to increase the number of students who went on to further education. Gary followed this up with fourteen years as Head of Academic Liaison for Llandrillo College in North Wales working with schools, other colleges, Local Education Authorities and key stakeholders to improve access to higher education.

Gary?s target with the Lifelong Learning Network is to encourage 470 additional students from the Greater Merseyside region towards degree level learning over the next three years. Latest figures suggest that 90 percent of students with A Levels move on to higher education, but that number falls to an alarming 40 percent of those with vocational qualifications.

Lifelong Learning Network is tasked with increasing that rate by working with partners including Liverpool University, 16 Further Education Colleges, employers, LEAs, Aimhigher, and the Liverpool City of Learning.

Initially, the scheme will concentrate on three specific sectors which have been identified by the North West Development Agency as areas of regional skills shortages. The three sectors are Health and Social Care; the Creative and Cultural industries; and Hospitality, Tourism, Sport and Active Leisure.

Speaking of his appointment and future plans, Gary commented: "I?ve had a lifelong passion and belief in the value of higher education. I believe we must investigate ways in which we can increase the uptake of opportunities to enter higher education. Lifelong Learning Network is at the cutting edge of this challenge and, as Edge Hill has an outstanding track record of producing graduates with both academic and vocational qualifications, it is appropriate that it is leading the way."