Centres of Vocational Excellence Keith McMaster CoVE Policy Manager 6 November 2003

Outline of Presentation  Background and future arrangements  CoVE links to Skills Strategy  SW CoVE network and links to FRESA

Aim To develop new, and enhance existing, excellent vocational provision which is focused on meeting the skills needs of employers, nationally, sectorally, regionally and locally. cf Skills Strategy - to ensure employers have the right skills to support the success of their businesses

Background Focus on level 3 skills First CoVEs launched in September 2001 Around 250 CoVEs established 78 CoVEs have full CoVE status Target 400 CoVEs by 2006 Initially general FE colleges, but now all providers £240m

CoVE – Future arrangements  Planned network of 400 CoVEs agreed in September 2003  A more demand led approach based on:  local LSC skills priorities as identified by Strategic Plans and local LMI  Regional skills priorities (FRESAs) and LMI  Sectoral skills priorities and LMI  3 further proposal rounds: CoVEs start in April 2004, October 2004 & March 2005

Sectoral Distribution 1

Sectoral Distribution 2

Links to the Skills Strategy Aim: –ensure employers have the right skills to support the success of their businesses Intermediate skills –Targeted support for level 3 3 Key themes –Putting employers needs centre stage –Helping employers use skills to achieve more ambitious longer term business success –Motivating and supporting learners Specific CoVE developments

Impact on CoVE Further develop CoVE in 3 ways: –Improve regional ownership –Improve sectoral ownership –[develop the capacity of providers to offer a wider range of business support]

Improve regional ownership Build on success CoVE planning links to FRESAs Embed in Regional Partnerships [ emphasis on: –Basic skills –Level 2 –Leadership and management]

Improve sectoral ownership Build on success Sectoral LMI informs CoVE planning –Quality LMI to feed into planning and operational objectives of CoVEs –Sector skills agreements will include CoVEs Support for individual CoVEs and sectoral CoVE networks –Regional (e.g. NW construction CoVEs) –National –Hub & spoke with other providers

Develop the capacity of providers to offer a wider range of business support Wide range of business support – not just skills LSC research project Pilots Possible programme?

SW CoVE Network 44 (possibly 45?) CoVEs 10% workforce: 11% CoVEs Planned by Local LSCs and RDA

SW Sectoral Distribution 1

SW Sectoral Distribution 2

Regional distribution 10 Devon & Cornwall 9 West of England 8 Wiltshire & Swindon 6 Gloucestershire 6 Somerset 3 Bournemouth Poole and Dorset 2 Cross regional

CoVE fit with SW FRESA’s economically important sectors Established sectors: –Aerospace1 CoVE –Food & drink3 CoVEs –Tourism5 CoVEs –ICT 3 CoVEs –Marine technology1 CoVE Emerging sectors: –Creative industries1 CoVE –Biotechnology 1 CoVE –Environmental technologies

CoVE will contribute to 2012 vision High skills, high productivity, sustained high employment Enterprising and innovative Adaptable economy in which employers and employees have the ability to respond to changes in market conditions by developing new skills

Contribution to strategic objectives and targets Strategic objective 1: –To increase employer's participation in the SW Develop employer commitment to skills development Coordinate workforce development (improve skills) Promote management skills Integrate sector skills activities in the region 2005 targets: –Working age population at level 3+ to 50% –Working age population at level 4+ to 29% Local LSC 2004 target: –Adults with level 3 to 54%

CoVE will also contribute to: Strategic objective 2 –To raise individuals’ aspirations and skills Basic skills Generic skills for employment Strategic objective 3 –Develop the efficient and inclusive working of the labour market Provide a coherent skills development infrastructure Provision that can be delivered online or in various locations Support inward investment Respond to labour market emergencies

Centres of Vocational Excellence Keith McMaster CoVE Policy Manager 6 November 2003