1. NORTH ALLIANCE CPD for the CLD workforce in the north of Scotland

2. Profile  Partnership of public and voluntary sector community learning and development (CLD) practitioners from the seven north of Scotland CLD partnerships  Aiming to improve opportunities and access to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for the CLD workforce in the Partnership area  Working towards the ultimate outcome of improving positive learning outcomes in communities

3. Initial Need  Limited access to CPD opportunities – most in central belt  Need to build skills, competence and confidence in workforce – national driver provided funding.  Was initially public sector led.  Evolved to equal representation with third sector.  Partnership Agreement reinforced the values and ethos.

4. Some achievements…  Brought sectors and areas together  Local CPD programmes developed annually  Improved partnership working – e.g City and Shire joint delivery with third sector partners  CfE film on YouTube – over 15,000 views CfE film on YouTube  KTP with Aberdeen University evaluated as ‘very good’  Steering group has evolved – chair rotates amongst partners: one partner organisation manages finances.  Eighth annual conference in October 2015  Conference is practitioner led.

5. How - success factors  Established steering group 2008 - which became more representative in 2009  Lead officer allocated NA time from employer in first year or two  Pooled resources – financial and people. Finance was crucial.  Initial business plan was delivered with consultancy support  Increased ownership of partnership – helped by externally facilitated workshop with Education Scotland.

6. Summing up