Principles and practices of learning needs analysis in the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET)

Learning needs in the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training

Learning needs is about finding out the needs of your learners. On the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET) we find out these needs in the induction although we identify learners needs before they sign up with the course during our course consultation where we find out what they want to learn and any other factors that influence their choice, this ensures that we book them on the right course to start with.  

Objectives of the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training

What are your learners’ objectives? We need to find out what they wish to get from the course. Some people want to learn new skills, others just want the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET). Both are good reasons. Why are your learners on the course? Why do you want to complete the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET)? Maybe it’s the employer who thinks they need it so its employers that will be highly involved or that the learners want a new career.  

Motivations of the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training

Finding out motivations is key. We need to find out what makes them tick. Everyone who enrols on the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET) has a purpose. And what we tend to find is learners are really enthusiastic and then they fall away because they get ill, get busy at work and I get it. But as a tutor, we need to utilise this and get them back on track. Think of your kids, think of the flexible working, think of the satisfaction it will give you when you complete it. These answers will help us to plan the training which meets these needs.  

Your workplace is the biggest factor. By knowing where you work, we can relate as much training to your work environment, we can also come up with plans to meet your practical assessments without you creating additional work. Especially where we know you have children, the last thing you want to do is to create additional work if its not needed.  

Identifying where learners are when they start the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET) helps us to pitch the training at the right level. As there are many elements at the start of the course where the Level 3 Award in Education and Training and the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET) overlap, we often deliver them together where we have learners completing either of the qualifications at the same time. If our learners have teaching experience and many do, we can start at a higher level than if learners had little experience, then we would need to explain basics such as icebreakers.  

We will agree learning plans with each learner that starts the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training (CET). Some will look to complete within a month, others will look to complete over 6 months, so we get to ensure that our support meets these needs of the learners. IF a learner wants to complete their course quickly then they will have more frequent tutor reviews whereas over a longer period, they are spaced out to meet the learners’ goals.