Centres of Vocational Excellence

Keith McMasterCoVE 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

0

10

2030

40

50

6070

80

90

100

Eng Con Care Hosp Land

NowBy 2006

Sectoral Distribution 2

01020

3040

5060

7080

90100

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NowBy 2006

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

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Eng Con Care Hosp Land

NowBy 2006

SW Sectoral Distribution 2

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

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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:– Aerospace 1 CoVE– Food & drink 3 CoVEs– Tourism 5 CoVEs– ICT 3 CoVEs– Marine technology 1 CoVE

• Emerging sectors:– Creative industries 1 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 McMasterCoVE Policy Manager

6 November 2003