University of Leeds Inspiring igen Learners

igen is working in partnership with The Universityof Leeds to provide a shared learning experience between University students and those on Foundation Learning (FL) courses.

The Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Team at The University of Leeds have been working with igen to provide the best opportunity to make a different to others. The students from the SIFE Team develop leadership, teamwork and communication skills through community projects that help others to develop their skills and knowledge. Their involvement with igen has seen students from the SIFE Team work with small groups of young people to provide interview skills and employer awareness training as well as engaging with the Foundation Learning Enterprise project.

Sessions, which are planned by the SIFE Team have involved working with representatives from Santander Bank to deliver a session around budgeting, banking and careers in banking as well as a “Dragon’s Den” experience. Future sessions are planned by the SIFE Team aimed at improving learner’s communication skills through discussion and debate sessions.

Feedback from igen’s FL learners has always been positive. Through the partnership FL learners have improved their skills and say they find interacting with the University students very beneficial. The FL learners gain an insight into the different life experiences of the SIFE Team and find the students to be inspirational role models.

The partnership between igen and the University of Leeds has been running for three years and we look forward to many future years of joint working with The University of Leeds.