How to write a strong nomination

1. How to write a strong nomination

2. Up to 2 awards to be sponsored locally Who are the Awards for? • ESF Individual Learner of the Year • ESF Inspiring Learning Project of the Year • ESF Young Adult Learner of the Year • 8 Awards covering: • Apprentices • Individuals • Projects • Employers • 15 Awards • National ESF Awards Workplace Life skills Family and Community • Local awards • Life Long Learning • Young Adult • Senior Learner

3. The Nomination Forms Nominate online at www.alw.org.uk/nominate or complete a Word version and email back to: alwnominations@niace.org.uk Individuals Use this form for: • ESF individuals • Young Adults • Senior learners • Those learning with their family or in the community • Those learning for personal development (Life Skill) including Skills for life, learning for health etc • Those who have learned at work or to improve their work prospects/career • Apprentices • Use this form for: • ESF individuals • Young Adults • Apprentices in community settings or who can show family or community impact • Those who can show Skills for Life, employability or occupational impact • Those who have improved their work or career prospects • Senior learners

4. The Nomination Forms • Employers • Use this form for: • Employers helping employees benefit from family or community learning, including learning for voluntary activity (Corporate Social Responsibility) • Employers helping employees improve their personal development skills (Life Skills) including Skills for life, learning for health etc • Employers that provide learning at or for work, including CPD Project/Provision Use this form for: • ESF projects • Projects or provision benefitting families or the community • Projects or provision benefitting individuals with personal development skills(Life Skills) including Skills for life, learning for health etc • Projects or provision offering learning at or for work

5. What happens next?

6. What makes a good nomination? • Learning is key to the story – not just overcoming challenges • Learning story has something outstanding or inspirational about it that could resonate with others – inspirational and motivational • Should demonstrate a journey of learning – not an isolated incident • Include why learner(s) started learning • Show how they have made extra effort and achieved beyond expectations • Illustrate outcomes and impact – how has the learning experience transformed or benefited learners and others (e.g. employer, community, family etc) • What has been achieved? (e.g. personal development, skills, overcoming learning barriers, work, qualifications, experience etc) • Can be informal, accredited or not, any level

7. Make sure you… • Explain the learning story logically • Explain any abbreviations • Talk to your learner(s) and use their personal history and experiences to support your story • ALL nominations will require a learner statement to be eligible, so make sure you leave time to get it (especially if online), and support them where necessary • Speak from the heart – help us know your learner • Give yourself time to complete the form. 95% of nominations are completed in the last week which is very stressful for all concerned! • Use direct language supported by facts. Keep it simple • Make sure all the right sections are completed and signed

8. Maximise your chances

9. Information and support Nationally, see the ALW website www.alw.org.uk for: • Nomination forms, word and online versions, with guidance notes • Resources such as logos, New Horizons magazine etc • Register your events • Examples of previous winners • Use the Twitter tag #alw14 In the Midlands • Sign up for information and updates from Helen Baker • Follow Twitter @alwmids14 • Contact Janet Solla or Jonathan Berry for support janet.solla@chlfoundation.org.uk jonathan.berry@chlfoundation.org.uk