EBulletin

January 2012
In this issue:

Welcome

Awards and Graduation

Sector Connect

Highlights of Sector Connect 2011

Countdown Issue 551

Update 88

Improving Business Performance Event

Countdown Issue 552

Flyer from AELP

Notts Labour Market Bulletin

Update Issue 90

Welcome

Happy New Year to you all!

Hope you had a good break as I did in Portugal.

Unfortunately I had a not so good break when I got back!
I tripped in Peterborough and have fractured my right shoulder, so it looks as if I’m going to be out of circulation for a little while.

However, I thought it might be helpful to start off this first Ebulletin with the ten key elements of the FE reform programme which are:

  • First, in language borrowed not just from the HE sector but from across Government as a whole, consumers, in this case learners, are to be put “at the heart of the FE and skills system.” This means helping them become informed consumers through access to better course information and ‘common information sets.’ At the same time, colleges will be ‘freed’ to respond to local needs through mechanism such as the Innovation Code model recommended by Baroness Sharp and funding support will be targeted at the most needy such as those without GCSE English and maths, the unemployed and Level 2 provision.
  • Second, ensuring better quality careers advice that is market–related and uses a range of mechanisms including online, face-to-face and helpline services linked in many cases to Lifelong Learning Accounts. Much of this will be provided through the new National Careers Service as it rolls out from the Next Steps service next year.
  • Third, building a progressive framework of vocational education and training through from community and basic skill provision to higher level vocational and technician programmes. This will include an emphasis on raising levels of English and maths, the preferred terminology now for adult learners rather than literacy and numeracy, and continued support for apprenticeships.
  • Fourth, strengthening the quality of teaching and learning and developing, through a new Commission, a distinct pedagogy around vocational learning. This would be further developed through changes to initial teacher training and the creation of a network of expert practitioners and supported throughout by bodies such as LSIS and the Institute for Learning.
  • Fifth, ensuring the quality and relevance of vocational qualifications by relating those more closely to market needs, building on the benefits available through the QCF, reviewing the current National Occupational Standards, testing out direct employer ownership of some of the design and delivery arrangements and encouraging further flexibility particularly around lower level provision.
  • Sixth, freeing up college governance so that corporations can best determine what governance structure and college business model works best. Whether, for instance, to work in partnerships to support young people, offer group apprenticeships or even adopt new business ventures for other areas of college work.
  • Seventh, providing greater simplifications and freedoms leading to a streamlined funding system and single audit framework by 2013/14.
  • Eighth, adopting new efficiencies and systems as part of the build up to the new streamlined systems including for example developing a new pricing approach to accommodate the emerging FE loan system.
  • Ninth, developing more transparent accountability systems and increasing the forms of ‘intelligence’ available even down to a programme level so that learners can make more informed choices.
  • Tenth, encouraging FE to share best practice and market its strengths in vocational and technician learning by asking the AoC to take a lead in developing a global strategy for the sector which will to allow it to showcase its wares in a global market place

Before Christmas I spoke to Stan Unwin from JISC RSCEM who expressed his concern regarding the attendance of WBL members at RSC supported events.
He would really like to see much more done to recognise and reflect the particular needs of independent WBL providers but faces something of a Catch 22 situation. Future support for WBL will only increase if current support is seen to be valued and used. At the moment we see very few providers at RSC events and attendance at the WBL Forum, the only sector specific event, tends to be low bearing in mind the number of providers they support in the East Midlands (120+). The Forum recently at New College Nottingham attracted only 12 delegates.  Stan would be the first to recognise that life in WBL is hectic at the best of times but would like to think that even the busiest manager could manage half a day once a quarter to keep up to date with developments. I don’t know of anyone who has attended the forum or one of the events who has not gone away with at least one new idea.
RSC are fully funded by the Dept for Business, Innovation and Skills there has been added interest both in the activities they deliver and the impact that they have on the sector. The danger is that if the service isn’t seen to be used or useful it could disappear.
Anything we can do through the network to increase awareness of and interest in the support they provide would be most welcome. Stan is always happy and available to talk to anyone who wants to listen!!? Please feel free to contact him direct on

Phone 01509 618119 (Direct)
Mobile 07824509798
stan.unwin@rsc-em.ac.uk


Kind regards

Janet Charlton
Chief Executive
Nottinghamshire Training Network

Forthcoming Events

Awards and Graduation
26th January 2012
9.30 am - 11pm
EMCC

Quality Group
9th February 2012
2.30pm - 5.30pm
For more information please contact Nikki Amirsaeedi

Health and Safety
21st February 2012
9.30am - 12.30pm

Train to Gain
21st February 2012
2pm - 4pm
TBC

AGM
23rd February 2012
9am - 12pm
Edwinstowe House
Please follow this link to register your attendance

 

 

Awards and Graduation

 

Good day Members

The Nottinghamshire Training Network Awards 2011 will build on the success of previous Awards and Graduation Events and will continue to celebrate and recognise the achievement, excellence and dynamism of Nottinghamshire individuals and employers.  The Graduation Ceremony and Awards Dinner will be held on 26th January 2012 at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham.

Nottinghamshire Work Based Learning Awards 2011 Finalists

Nottinghamshire Training Network would like to announce the finalists for the Nottinghamshire Work Based Learning Awards Evening 2011 to be held on Thursday 26th January 2012 at East Midlands Conference Centre.

To view the full list of finalists please visit our website.

Sponsorship for Awards and Graduation

We have revamped our Sponsorship Packages and as a Sponsor your company name and identity will be associated with all aspects of the Nottinghamshire Training Network Awards 2011. 

Each category winner will receive a trophy and £300 worth of vouchers (of their choice) and two runners up will also receive a trophy and £100 worth of vouchers (of their choice).  The overall winner will receive a trophy and a cheque for £1,000!!! The trophy will show your logo together with the award winners/runners up name. (please note the Employer and Training Provider Awards are not included in the Overall Winner category).

We continue to seek organisations and/or individuals to sponsor and support these prestigious, high profile events.

These are just some of the benefits of sponsoring a main award (£3,500):

  • 5 complementary tickets to the awards evening
  • 1 complimentary ticket to the graduation
  • Company name and logo featured in NTN’s E-Bulletin and NTN’s Website

There are also some smaller sponsorship packages available ranging from £500. Please see attached Sponsorship package for further details.   

For more details on the Awards & Graduation, Sponsorship and Application/Reservation Forms please visit our Awards Page or telephone 01623 404341.

If you would like to attend the event, please download the Table Booking Form here and return to Sara Harris.

Sector Connect

Dear Member,

Please click here to open the latest edition of Sector Connect

In this month’s issue, the top headlines include:

·         Government publish statement following New Challenges, New Chances consultation
·         £18.7m government funding for 19,000 Higher Apprenticeships
·         Institute of Employability Professionals – your help required…
·         Government launch £125m fund to boost UK manufacturing supply chains
·         Workforce Data Collection Survey – last chance to respond!
·         People 1st secures £6.8m for new programme
·         And lots more….

Members can also view this issue (and previous issues) of Sector Connect on the AELP website.
(You will need your member log in details, i.e. Username and Password, to access Sector Connect. If you cannot remember your Username or Password please contact AELP Office via email for assistance – enquiries@aelp.org.uk)

Regards

1Highlights of 2011 Sector Connect

Dear Member,

As 2011 draws to a close, AELP would like to give its Members an end of year gift – a memento of some of the key articles featured in this year’s Sector Connect.

Please click here to open a special ‘Highlights of 2011’ edition of Sector Connect

Members can also view this issue (and our normal issues) of Sector Connect on the AELP website.
(You will need your member log in details, i.e. Username and Password, to access Sector Connect. If you cannot remember your Username or Password please contact AELP Office via email for assistance – enquiries@aelp.org.uk)

Regards

Countdown Issue 551

Dear Member

Please find attached the latest issue of Countdown.

Regards

Update – Issue 88

In this issue:

  1. Apprenticeship Training Agency Recognition Process
  2. Error in 2010/11 Learner Responsive (LR05) Qualification Success Rate reports and Minimum Levels of Performance reports
  3. Data Service office closure during the holiday period
  4. YPLA 16-19 Funding Statement and capital funding 2012-13
  5. The Agency’s Register of Training Organisations – Subcontracting
  6. WorldSkills UK competitions: Open for entries
  7. Office Closure: Brighton
  8. The Ideas Bank – an LSIS national tool for scenario planning
  9. Learner Views: Religion and belief equality.

 

Click here to open Update – Issue 88, our primary weekly communication channel for colleges and training organisations.

If you have any feedback, please get in touch by emailing:  Update@skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk

Improving business performance Event

Hi All

Something to look forward to on Feb 14th (other than the inevitable cards)?
A free event to help you examine your ability to review your business processes and improve your decision making in the competitive, complex world of learning provision.

This event will provide you with an overview of the lessons learnt and outcomes from the recent LSIS project “Improving business performance using data dashboards.” 

A great way to start the New Year and it’s free to supported providers.
Further information and online booking here

Regards

Stan

Countdown Issue 552

Dear Member

Please find attached the latest issue of Countdown.

Regards

Flyer from AELP

How to improve your Bid writing skills and Successfully Win Tenders and Bids Workshops

Equalities in Practice - Meeting the needs of the learners

This years In Tray Flyer 2 Feb 2012

If you require any more information please contact Katharine Daniels on:
E: kdaniels@aelp.org.uk
T:   0117 947 2097

Notts Labour Market bulletin

Notts Labour Market bulletin November 2011

Update – Issue 90

In this issue:

·         The National Career Guidance Shows
·         Learner Information Suite V19.02 due for release soon
·         End-of-Year 2010/11 Employer Responsive Qualification Success Rate and Minimum Levels of Performance reports to be published
·         Knighthood for information authority Chair
·         Applications welcomed for Training Managers/ Experts for WorldSkills 2013
·         Data Self-Assessment Tool – future development sessions
·         Supporting independent training providers in collaborative contracting – online seminars

 

Click here to open Update – Issue 90, our primary weekly communication channel for colleges and training organisations.

 

 

Finally… I hope you’ve found this issue of the ebulletin of interest.
I would be very grateful for any feedback, suggestions etc…any comments, articles, news, information you would like to include?
Nottinghamshire Training Network
Mansfield Business Centre ● Ashfield Avenue ● Mansfield Nottinghamshire ● NG18 2AE
Tel: 01623 404341 ● Fax: 01623 404201
● E-mail: joanne@ntn-wbl.org.uk
● Web: www.ntn-wbl.org.uk
Copyright © Nottinghamshire Training Network 2010