1. North West Higher Level Skills Event Partnership Pays Dividends Donna Edwards, Managing Director 16 th February 2011

2. We Will Cover Background to project Skills Brokerage structure Guiding principles Benefits of the model Why it works

3. Background to the Project June 2006 project team created to develop Higher Skills bid, submitted in August 2006 to HEFCE, started in October 2006 Business Link re-structure due to be completed March 2007 Business Link Northwest opened April 2007 Minimise confusion for customers

4. Brokerage Integrated Skills and Business Link Brokerage 60 Skills Brokers, plus 7 Higher Level Skills Advisers, 115 Business Brokers Sector Focus Service based on all levels of skills needs within a business Quality

5. Guiding Principles Partnership approach NWUA, BL, Sector Skills Councils, Regional Cluster Organisations, Skills Funding Agency, NWDA, GONW, Association of Colleges Co-location Business engagement through Skills Brokerage Must be sustainable Not competing

6. Benefits of the Model Development of Brokers and Advisers Sector bodies engaging to develop courses Joint visits Database of resources created Easier access to Higher Level Skills, simpler for businesses and Brokers Ability to absorb new sectors Higher Level Skills referrals to wider provider network Sustainable

7. Why it works? Everyone involved Open to feedback Has the will to make it happen Can do attitude Owns it