1. Northern Skills Network
Business Plan – initial draft ( )
c/o Catch22, 2-6 Upper Chare, Castle Dean Centre, Peterlee, SR8 1BW.
Tel: ,
Company No:

2. Vision. - Working on behalf of and supporting the 9+2 local networks
Vision - Working on behalf of and supporting the 9+2 local networks across the north. - To help create a world class workforce. - By supporting the development of skills through vocational (technical?) training and apprenticeships (or more?) - Demonstrate not self-serving and looking to make the skills and employment system work for businesses and individual for successful local and northern economies. - Working closely with AELP recognising that even with devolution the education, training and skills system is still primarily driven nationally.

3. Priorities 1) To influence government policy by reporting what works and what businesses and learners are telling us. Additionally to continue to strengthen links with AELP and facilitate engagement with members through local networks as well as providing services. Specifically; - Consultations – which ones, when through local networks, through AELP or direct - Influence through LEPs/CAs/City Mayors etc producing and sharing common briefing that can be used by all local networks - Others routes as appropriate - Working with and through AELP engagement to agree priorities and opportunities to deliver services required by local members and to deliver directly to customers eg ASK - Annual conference engaging with national and local policy makers

4. To support local networks across the north of England to deliver services to their members and to engage effectively with CAs/LEPs and Elected Mayors. Specifically; - Help sustain and develop *9 recognising the different structures and resources to deliver their own business model and support for their members - Share expertise and avoid duplication across all local networks - In addition to quarterly Board/Northern Network, quarterly and ad hoc video conference with local networks. - Explore core communication newsletter supplemented by local additions. - Sharing and facilitating best practice. - Helping to identify and develop those willing to become ‘sector leaders ‘ beyond their own day job

5. And to enable us to deliver these priorities we need; - An effective and representative Northern Board/Northern Network: * Legal entity limited by guarantee or Network meeting with a local network holding budget etc. on NSN behalf? * 1 or 2 attendees from each local network? With named deputies? * AELP nationally x2 * Independent chair with secretariat provided by local network - Sufficient funding and reserves to deliver priorities - Effective method of communication to provide information and two way communication - Position the Northern Skills Network with an organised launch linked with our annual policy conference

6. With funding required for:. - Independent chair
With funding required for: - Independent chair - Website, bulletins etc - Secretary support/legal entity support from local network. - Meetings rooms/refreshments - One off projects/tasks/contingency - Cover costs for potential conference/events losses Funded from: - Agreed transfer of NWPN reserves for x months/years - Local network contribution (challenging for some if not all) - Top slicing from northern bids delivered by local network? - National funds? Including support for AELP? - NPP funding? - Other sources

7. Effective method of communication to provide information and two way communication [building on and not duplicating what comes from AELP but filling gaps e.g. Northern Powerhouse Partnership, devolution developments, ESF, etc] - Monthly bulletin - Develop and maintain website - Webinars –planned and ad hoc Position the Northern Skills Network with an organised launch linked with our annual policy conference - Annual conference -July - Supported by glossy launch brochure containing vision, priorties and membership including local network members (numbers and programme budgets)

8. Purpose. - Independent Chair of Northern Skills Network
Purpose - Independent Chair of Northern Skills Network - Helping to deliver Business Plan and priorities - Working closely with (Board) and local networks - Visible externally - Close AELP engagement and acting as Regional AELP Chair? Commitment - Days and payment (Number of days annually with an agreed day rate ) - Expectation that these will not be full days but flexible availability. - Monthly payment not directly linked to days/hours worked? - Reasonable travel expenses or consumed in rate? Role - Independent Chair - Representing Northern Skills Network - Delivering business plan and priorities either directly or through local networks - Maintain strong links with 9 local networks and facilitating sharing and support - NPP engagement - Strong links AELP and directly with government and agencies. - Communication