SCTP ACTIVITIES

In addition to bi-monthly membership meetings and regular information updates SCTP has been working on a range of collaborative WBL development activities that have a positive and direct impact on SCTP members. These activities include:

a) Continue our work in supporting providers to improve quality and drive up success rates through an LSIS funded Flexibility and Innvovation Fund project in partnership with FE Sussex. The project aims to support providers to improve their OFSTED gards via 1:1 support, group training sessions and Peer Review and Development. Caroline Lewin has been working 1:1 with a number of SCTP members to help them develop their quality improvement plans.

b) Managing a system for appointing and supporting provider representatives at local authority partnership boards. This allows WBL to be fully represented on these important groupings that will take control of the 14-19 agenda from 2010. For a chart showing SCTP's representatives click here . Representatives meet regularly to feedback and discuss plans for action.

c)  Three LSIS funded Peer Review Development groups are supporting members in addressing different aspects of apprenticeship progression. The first group is led by Rewards and is working with the 4 schools in the Weald area of E Sussex to look at ways of supporting Year 10 and 11 learners into apprenticeships. The second group led by Northbrook College, is looking at improving progression between Foundation Learning programmes and apprenticeships. The third group, led by Swim UK, is looking at the recruitment of 'A' level completers at 18 into apprenticeships and the possibilities of offering apprenticeship gap years. The three projects are supported for SCTP by Paul Mitchell

d) Ensuring that secure links are established between providers and other brokers that engage with employers e.g. Skills Brokers and NAS so that apprenticeship and Foundation Learning leads flow to members. For example a 'Meet The Providers' Event in Uckfield brought together 21 providers with Business Link Skills Advisers, Local Authority 14-19 staff, the NAS and Job Centre Plus Lead providers.

e) Working with NAS and Connexions to ensure that there is a co-ordinated effort to ensure that the WBL offer has a high profile in schools and 6th Form Colleges.

f) Ensure that members receive information and support relating to staff and organisational development opportunities provided by organisations such as the Learning and Skills Network and the Learning and Skills Improvement Service. A number of training and information sessions have taken place and been well attended by members including sessions on Safeguarding, QCF, Preparing for Inspection, Health & Safety Vetting and Functional Skills in WBL - see calendar page for latest details.

g) Supporting providers in their strategic planning for the introduction of Minimum Contract Levels . SCTP is delivering a LSIS funded project to broker relationships between its members to ensure that all members find a suitable contracting route from August 2011 and beyond. Tis project is led by Paul Mitchell.

h) Working with providers to open up new opportunities to deliver DWP programmes. Through a LSIS Enterprise PRD SCTP is brokering links between its members and those organisations that are seeking to help the young unemployed back into work. A networking event in January 2011 enabled over 20 SCTP members to meet 12 DWP providers. This project is led by Tim Sorensen.

i) Working with providers to develop effective collaboration with Higher Education Institutions that will enable real Level 4 vocational progression routes to be opened up for Advanced Apprentices. This will build on work carried out by SCTP for the Sussex Learning Network. This work is led by Tim Sorensen.

j) Bringing together member in special interest sub groups - currently there are groups for e2e/Foundation Learning and Sub-contractors as well as a Members Forum for members to discuss issues and ideas.

 

We hope that you'll agree that the above activities will be of great benefit to members. Paul Mitchell (Executive Director), Tim Sorensen (Associate: Employer Engagement, HE and DWP) and Caroline Lewin (Associate: Quality and Business Development) are leading the work in supporting the members backed by Operations Co-ordinator, Anna Barry.

They can be contacted on:

Paul Mitchell 01273 891232 paulmitchell@sctp.org.uk

Caroline Lewin 07817 941051 carolinelewin@live.co.uk

Tim Sorensen 07890 388624 timsorensen7@hotmail.com

Anna Barry 01444 259274 annabarry@sctp.org.uk