Frequently Asked Questions
The MIAP Helpdesk have compiled a list of the ten most frequently asked questions below:
1. What do MIAP services offer?
2. Who is implementing and leading MIAP?
3. What has been the progress so far?
4. Is MIAP a service to gather information on people?
5. What is the Unique Learner Number (ULN)?
6. What is a Learner Record?
7. Will learners be able to choose what data to share in their Learner Record or even opt out altogether?
8. How is MIAP ensuring security and protection against identity theft?
9. What are Fair Processing Notices (FPNs)?
10. Why and how do we have to verify a learner’s identity?
1. What do MIAP services offer?
MIAP simplifies the way that information about learners and education and training organisations is collected, handled and shared. Services include:
The UK Register of Learning Providers, containing details of individual training organisations and the services they offer to learners and employers
Common Data Definitions which are being adopted by organisations collecting information from education and training providers
The Learner Registration Service incorporating a Unique Learner Number for every person over the age of 14 in education and training. These services enable individuals to build a lifelong Learner Record of their learning participation and achievements, which they can securely access and share with learning providers and potential employers.
2. Who is implementing and leading MIAP?
The MIAP Programme is strategically led by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). It is supported by partner organisations representing all aspects of education and training in the UK. The service is delivered by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).
3. What has been the progress so far?
Significant progress has already been achieved:
Work has been completed on agreeing Common Data Definitions. This is being fed into the work of the Cross Education Information Standards Board.
The UK Register of Learning Providers was launched in August 2005 and now has over 19, 000 learner providers registered
The Learner Registration Service and Unique Learner Number tests and trials were completed in August 2007
The Learner Registration Service was launched in September 2007 to a group of 60 early adopter organisations – there are now over 600 organisations registered
There are already 2 million individuals with a Unique Learner Number
The Learner Record is due to be launched in 2009
4. Is MIAP another service to gather information on people?
No - MIAP does not collect any new information. The services have been designed to streamline and simplify how information on learning and achievement is collected, handled and shared. For the first time, individuals will be given access to information that has already been collected on them and will be able to challenge it if factually incorrect.
5. What is the Unique Learner Number (ULN)?
The ULN is a 10 digit number that allows students over the age of 14 to build a lifelong record of their learning participation and achievements, which they can access securely and choose to share if they wish to. It will not provide access to any details relating to exclusions or expulsions.
Unlike the Unique Pupil Number system which cannot be used beyond school age, the Unique Learner Number (ULN) will follow learners throughout their life, easing transition from 6th form into further education. The use of the ULN as a single candidate number will also reduce many administrative burden and costs for schools and colleges, for example when it comes to organising examinations or sharing pupil data with other educational establishments.
6. What is a Learner Record?
The Learner Record is an aggregation of an individual’s learning and achievement records that have already been collected by UK education bodies. Learners will be able to view their learner record and decide who else can see their record or parts of it once they have provided proof of identify to gain access to it. Learners will also be able to challenge errors in the record.
7. Will learners be able to choose what data to share in their Learner Record or even opt out altogether?
Yes. Learners themselves will decide who can access their Learner Record, ensuring that every student can maintain their privacy and enjoy a sense of ownership and responsibility. Two distinct views of the Learner Record will be provided. The learner will be presented with both the full record and the restricted view to ensure they are clearly aware of what other users will see. The restricted view will be available to all other users with the right access. This restricted view will only display successful achievements and it will be limited to show only basic details.
Learners can also choose to opt out of having data about their participation and achievement shared, usually when they are enrolling. Organisations have a responsibility to give learners the option to opt out. However, as the ULN is now part of the Diploma and QCF qualifications, they cannot opt out of being issued with a Unique Learner Number
8. How is MIAP ensuring security and protection against identity theft?
Many different products and services were considered in the creation of MIAP services. Discussions were undertaken with the Inland Revenue, JISC, the NHS and others regarding their experience of identity management. The Unique Learner Number was considered the most appropriate course of action for the learner, and in relation to the appropriate use of the learner data.
MIAP has put in place a requirement for learners to prove their identity prior to being issued a ULN. This proof will require more that just knowing a learner’s personal details.
MIAP will only supply data to organisations that have signed a data sharing agreement. These organisations are defined by the MIAP data sharing framework which lists the potential types of organisation that can access data. Organisations on the framework will need to make a case to MIAP for access to the data, setting out the use and governance of the data within their programme. These will need to be approved by MIAP before data is released.
All data within MIAP and data sharing partners must be governed according to UK or EU law on privacy and data sharing. Data will not be transferred to organisations not covered by the act. Data will only be shared through secure data transfer and no CDs, memory sticks or other portable storage devices will be used. All information is accessed and shared electronically though a single internet site, secured by a high level Security Perimeter and log in process. As a result, audit trails and log-ins can be recorded.
9. What are Fair Processing Notices (FPNs)?
Fair Processing Notices are the mechanism by which individuals are informed about what will happen to data collected about them and how that data will be processed and shared.
Individual organisations need to show a learner the FPN as part of the enrolment/examination process.
10. Why and how do we have to verify a learner’s identity?
This is an important part of the process for a learner accessing their Learner Record. Without verification of a learner’s identity a learner will not be able access their Learner Record until they have produced proof of their identity. Where possible, the student’s identity should be verified but this should not prevent enrolment. There is a document entitled “Verification Guidelines” which provides further details and lists the options offered in the Learner Registration Service. Whether or not the learner’s identity has been verified, the appropriate code has to be used in the mandatory field “Verification Type” on the batch file. The codes can be found in the MIAP Interface Guide, available on the MIAP website.
