Benefits
MIAP will lead to a wide range of benefits affecting everyone with an interest in post-14 education and training, and will result in business improvements across the sector.
Click on the links below to read about the benefits to specific user groups. Alternatively, read the complete Benefits Guide.
ULN With the consent of learners, providers can use the Unique Learner Number (ULN) to access individual information about learning. Providers can also use each learner’s ULN instead of assigning additional learner numbers for examinations or other achievement activities.
Single source of data Sharing a single source of learner information between all learning providers will eliminate the need to re-key and verify learner information every time new learning or training is started. This will contribute to data accuracy over a longer period by removing the risk of error associated with repeated data input.
Learner Record The Learner Record improves learner enrolment or registration by allowing existing qualifications and achievements to be validated quickly, from a reliable source.
The Record also enables learners to transfer from one learning institution into another without significant disruption. When the learner grants the new institution access to their learner record, the course details and modules already completed will be available.
Administrative time could also be saved through potential improvements to third party data sharing e.g. between a college and awarding body.
Learning Providers will be able to measure how successfully they are supporting learners by comparing anonymous learner record data for their region with the national average. This will provide useful data on the average levels of progress between different levels and types of learning.
Learner Record If a candidate chooses to make their Learner Record available to a potential employer, less time is required to verify qualifications and achievements. This improves the recruitment process by filling vacant posts faster, with a reduced risk of fraudulent qualification claims.
An employer’s view of the Learner Records of employees can be used to support individual training and development requirements. Information from all employee Learner Records would provide employers with a clear audit of workforce skills.
This will improve employer understanding of the learning and development needs to raise the skill levels of their employees, and reduces the risk of introducing error through repeat data entry.
UKRLP Employers will be able to access the UKRLP to find out which providers can source the most suitable accredited training courses for their staff.
Learner Record Learners will be able to access the information collected and stored about them in their Learner Record. This includes personal information (for example name and date of birth), what courses they have attended, and their results from post 14 through to Higher Education.
Learners cannot change parts of the record which are factually correct, but they can “challenge” errors in the record and will be supported by MIAP in getting those errors corrected. Learners will be able to agree who else can see it, or elements of it.
Proof of qualifications and achievements can be achieved through the Learner Record. This means learners don’t need to repeat information already in their Record or provide evidence of their qualifications through paper copies or certifications. Proof of qualifications will also mean simpler and efficient registration and enrolment for learners.
Individuals will benefit from the Learner Record when they are seeking employment or applying for jobs. The Learner record means selection processes can be streamlined without the need for paper certificates. Within an organisation, Learner Records can be used by employers to provide better training and development to assist with an individual Learner’s needs.
UKRLP Through the UK Register of Learning Providers (UKRLP)learners will be able to access a wide range of information about colleges and training providers so that they are better informed about learning opportunities.
Awarding Bodies will be able to use the Learner Registration Service as an alternative to developing and maintaining their own systems for identifying learners and awarding qualifications. Using a single source of learner information will contribute to data accuracy and reduce the administration required to verify identity.
The Learner Record and ULN removes the need for Awarding Bodies to assign additional identifiers to learners and eliminates the need to re-key and verify their information.
Awarding Bodies will be able to access learner information through the ULN.
The Common Data Definitions (CDD) which underpin the Learner Registration Service will improve the flow of information to and from Awarding Bodies and can result in more effective and efficient data sharing.
Awarding Body access to anonymised and aggregated learner information on a national or regional basis can improve planning decisions, compilation of statistics, and support the targeted efforts to meet the needs of learners.
The Learner Registration Service (LRS) and ULN have the potential to support the policies of Government and its agencies. For example, the LRS is already directly enabling 14-19 diplomas, the Qualifications and Credit Framework, Skills Accounts and improvements to the Offender Learning and Skills arrangements.
The LRS is a new, shared service which Government Bodies can use instead of developing and maintaining information management systems to support their own learner initiatives. The service can help to reduce the number of disparate government databases, thereby also reducing security concerns as essential data is not duplicated in multiple systems.
Using a single, shared system of learner information will help data accuracy and reduce the incidences of data challenge, which may occur if two or more parallel systems hold the same data.
The Unique Learner Number ULN means Government Bodies will not need to assign additional identifiers to learner details. This eliminates the need to re-key and verify learner information where a ULN already exists.
The Common Data Definitions (CDD) underpinning the Learner Registration Service will improve the flow of information to and from Government Bodies and will result in more effective and efficient data sharing.
The service can help Government Bodies to understand the impact of their policies by providing access to anonymised and aggregated learner information. Improved analysis of the impact of educational policies can improve policy, funding and planning decisions to better meet the needs of learners.
With the learner’s permission, Information Advice and Guidance (IAG) organisations can use information from a Learner Record to advise individual learners and better support their decision making about further education, training and career choices. The learner Record could also reduce IAG administration time otherwise spent gathering participation and attainment information prior to interview.
Through the UK Register of Learning Providers (UKRLP) IAGs will be able to access a wide range of information about colleges and training providers to inform learners about learning opportunities and help them to make better decisions.
IAGs will also be able to measure how successfully they are supporting learners by analysing anonymous learner record data for their region. This will provide useful data on the average levels of progress between different levels and types of learning.
