We reflect on what we've done so far, take stock of where we are currently and look ahead to what we want to achieve in 2009-10. See the consumer education strategy 2009-10. We've also produced a wider communication plan for all of the OFT's planned campaign activity in 2009-10. We welcome your feedback on any aspect of our plans.
As part of the OFT's commitment to the sustainability of our consumer education programmes, we aim to review and update Skilled to go annually. It's 11 months since Skilled to go launched and all the content in modules 1-3 is being re-verified for factual accuracy by experts including the OFT legal team, Consumer Direct and Alliance members: The Consumer Council and Queen Margaret University. Content updating will continue throughout the summer and the updated modules will be published in October 2009.
Thanks to those of you who got involved in our workshops in London and Edinburgh to shape the version of Skilled to go that we're developing for TSS. If you visit secondary schools to talk about Trading Standards' work, parts of Skilled to go that you could use for this purpose have been selected and presented together, along with a guide for delivering them. We hope the package will be a helpful addition to the resources that you already use in your work with schools. Work to develop this is ongoing and we're aiming to publish it in November 2009.
One question that we'd like your views on is what we should call TSS staff delivering the school session. For example, in the teachers' notes we might say, 'teachers should do X'. What name can we use instead? For example, facilitator. What's your preference? Please let us know at oftconsumereducationteam@oft.gsi.gov.uk
Let others know what you're doing, share ideas, form partnerships and avoid reinventing the wheel - all by checking out the other consumer education projects on our database. A joint initiative from OFT and CELG, the consumer education project database is growing, but we want to see it being used more widely. The more information contained in the database, the more useful it becomes.
Describe your project in your words and let us know how we can make the database even better. We're aiming to review its use in the summer and improve it in line with your suggestions. See the consumer education project database.
We're discussing potential themes for two new modules in Skilled to go. We have three topic ideas: scams, running a car, and technology. Tell us your views.
Our criteria for selecting Skilled to go topics takes account of consumer education good practice principles, the overarching OFT consumer education strategy and is intended to maximise the potential of the further education delivery method. A topic needs to:
Scams
Scams is a priority area for the OFT. The module would concentrate on developing the skills and knowledge that people need to be able to spot and avoid being sucked in by potential scams. Appropriate skills include the ability to research, to identify factors which typify a scam mailing or website etc and effective communication. Useful knowledge could include types of scam and their evolving nature, scam methods, spotting victims, reporting scams and how intelligence is used. The module would also aim to develop the confidence to help people say no and to communicate with potential scam victims.
Running a car
Research by consumer groups including the former NCC and The Consumer Council in NI highlighted a range of problems that consumers face in relation to car servicing and repairs, and that customers lack the skills and confidence to be more effective consumers in this market. Teachers have told us that this is a topic that would interest both adults and young adults alike. Examples of the types of skills and knowledge this module could develop include:
Technology
Mobile phones appear at number two (hardware) and four (service agreements) in Consumer Direct's top ten complaints of 2008, and complaints about TVs come in at number three in the list. Skilled to go already has a technology module which spans mobile phones, digital TV and household technology. We would separate existing content into two modules, and supplement it with new content. This topic has broad appeal across our Skilled to go audience, and offers an almost universally relevant context to develop generic transferable consumer skills that will aid people in any market for goods and services. Examples of skills and knowledge that this module could develop include:
Give us your comments - and any alternative ideas - by emailing oftconsumereducationteam@oft.gsi.gov.uk
Find out what the OFT's campaigns plans are for this year and how we'll deliver them. Then, please give us your feedback.
This is the second quarterly newsletter which focuses on providing consumer education updates for Alliance members. It's also a place where Alliance members can publicise or share their consumer education activities with other Alliance partners, so why not do so by contacting us at oftconsumereducationteam@oft.gsi.gov.uk
To include information about your work in the Consumer education alliance news, email us at oftconsumereducationteam@oft.gsi.gov.uk
In North Ayrshire, TSS has brought together the various advice agencies, local housing associations and council services to promote energy awareness in our Local Energy Advice Forum (LEAF). We have produced an Energy Information Pack which will be distributed to local libraries and offices and in the community. See the Business e-newsletter or contact Andrew Dunn, Consumer Advice Coordinator, Trading Standards, North Ayrshire Council at amdunn@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
To tie in with World Elder Abuse day on 15th June Bromley Trading Standards have two events to promote safeguarding elderly and vulnerable Bromley Borough Council residents. On the 16th June we are holding a display in the Glades shopping centre in Bromley, in partnership with the Bromley Council Bromley Safekeeping Adults Board. The display will be repeated on 19th June in the Walnuts Market area of Orpington. We will be promoting public awareness of scams, and handing out scams awareness leaflets and rogue trader information. For more information contact John Gurr, Bromley Trading Standards on 020 8461 7709.
Louise Baxter, Team Manager at East Sussex Trading Standards has recently been appointed as the new chairperson of Consumer education liaison group (CELG). CELG is at the forefront of promoting consumer education in the UK and aims to promote a consistent and cohesive approach to the provision of quality consumer and business education at a local level. Any local authority Trading Standards Service is entitled to join as a member. All that we ask is that you nominate an individual(s) who will be responsible for receiving information and attending meetings. Members meet three times a year, inviting guest speakers to debate current topics and to exchange resources and ideas.
For more information contact Sharon Whittington at sharon.whittington@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
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