Chapter 1 – Identify and Recruit Learners
If you have chosen to set up a learner-led review within your VET institution, you must prepare yourself and conduct it effectively. The main objective is to ensure that the work carried out by the learners is not only relevant but also a truly enriching experience for them. The learner-led review must be followed and conducted with the cooperation of the participants. As the learner support staff in this learner-led review in the VET institution, your role will be managing this process as a facilitator. This means that you must be there to guide, support and encourage the learners throughout the process.
Before recruiting participants for the learner-led review, it is important to identify learners who would be interested in engaging in the process. To do this, you can:
- Implement a communication strategy well in advance of organising the learner-led review: posters in your institution, communication campaign (mails to learners, presentation in classes, a permanent office to present this initiative, proposal of an information meeting, etc.). It can also be interesting to ask the learners already engaged in the review before, to share their feedback with the other learners. These learners remain the best ambassadors of the approach! However, we should not forget to communicate the information to the educational teams in the institution so that they can transfer information about this initiative. Engagement should be everyone’s work!
- Think about the learners already engaged in different activities in your institution class delegates, learner representatives, members of groups or clubs… Learners who are already involved are more inclined to get involved in new initiatives.
- Inform your learners well about the review process and the follow-up process which will be answers to their recommendations. A clear explanation of the process, the objectives and what is expected from these learners will ensure the learners are fully invested.
