1. Regional Response Fund Project
Knowledge Exchange in Learning and Skills: Change Exchange Networks across the West Midlands.
Fergus McKay, Susie Knight, Jill Hardman

2. Who are we?
West Midlands Centre for Excellence in Teacher Training (WMCETT) established 2007at the University of Warwick - Centre for Lifelong Learning.

3. Change Exchanges - aims
Sub-regional networks across the West Midlands enabling providers to share responses and solutions to recent funding changes and new policy priorities.
Encourage greater collaboration and co-operation between providers
Stronger links with LEPs and other regional/national agencies

4. Change Exchange Network areas
Birmingham/
Black Country
Walsall
Staffordshire/ The Marches
Coventry/
Warwickshire
Herefordshire/ Worcestershire

5. What we did
Two sets of meetings – June and September for providers and agencies.
Presentations by agencies - LEPs, SFA, DWP/JCP and BIS Local
Facilitated dialogue between participants.
Interviews to follow up issues.

6. Key Messages Change Exchange network meetings valued for:
cross sector dialogue and new opportunities for collaboration.
Increased understanding of changes and their implications.
Members wish to continue meeting to explore emerging issues such as:

7. Emerging Issues Collaboration and Partnerships.
Learner or organisationally driven?
What leadership development needs arise?
Third Sector – Wider sector recognition and engagement.
Sharing specialised expertise and research. Co production.

8. Emerging Issues LEPs – How they inform the L & S agenda.
How will economic growth be measured?
How will future skills be identified?
SFA – Developing new role with providers.
How will responsiveness and success be measured?
Planning: Competition v Collaboration.

9. Emerging Issues DWP/JCP – Emerging Roles and Relationships.
How does it work in practice?
FE - The changing nature and character of FE.
How will colleges adapt to changes in schools, HE, employment etc.

10. Emerging Issues
ACL – Changing provision & delivery models Employability focus - Implications for learners. WBL – Engaging with contractors and new partners. Impact of minimum contract levels. Prime contractors – Reputational and other risks. Fees

11. Moving on
The aims were to enable providers to share responses and solutions, encourage greater collaboration and co-operation and create stronger links with LEPs and other regional/national agencies
The model has worked and the majority of participants seem keen to continue