The National Extension College (NEC) was set up over 40 years ago as a not for profit company 'to help people of all ages fit learning into their lives.' It is accredited by the Open and Distance Learning Quality Council. It has two distinct but related businesses. Its business-to-consumer business today (2004) supports 10,000 individual learners a year on over 100 home study courses. It also has a significant and growing business-to-business operation providing printed and electronic open learning resources for organisations and training providers including schools, Further Education colleges, Local Authorities and NHS Trusts. NEC also works directly with private and public sector workplaces 'to organise training programmes that allow employees to study at convenient times with work-based learning.'
Linking learning resources to standards and qualifications
NEC course materials are tailored around awarding body standards and specifications, most but not all of which are linked to the National Qualifications Framework. NEC provides course materials and, in many cases, it will also provide a partial or even a 'complete' solution incorporating tutoring, and course and assessment administration. Working in close collaboration with the awarding body, the NEC materials may be formally 'approved' by the awarding body, eg EDEXEL for key skills resources. For some courses, NEC acts as intermediary between awarding body and student; the NEC tutor supporting the learner and assessing work that will count towards the award.
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