The further

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The further higher education institutional persp
ectives on how to connect with the world of
work Presentation by Jim Crewdson Principal Wig
an Leigh College
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Two main areas of interest 14/16 to 18
Vocational education funded via the public
purse. Demand led, employer funded training
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We look upon Public funded Vocational education
as a motivator to learning not an extension to
the Jobcentre.
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Employers say they want People who will be on
time, Come every day, Learn quickly, have good
basic skills and subsequently, be productive.
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Employer engagement should be about Improving
the learning process, providing Motivation for
life long learning and making the world of work
something more than a salary cheque.
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So how can employers be engaged? Articulating
the benefit of career and development Visits and
placements Free consultancy / specialist
lectures Project development Listening
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So our intended outcome
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The sponge The ability to absorb take intake
up and transform to engage wholly.
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But what happens when the employer pays?
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Welcome to the Business Networking Academy
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Background

• NWDA strategy includes two priorities
• Business Development
• Skills and Employment (emphasis management and
  supervision skill enhancement)

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Background

• Employer reluctance to finance training
• Employee reluctance to re-engage in training
• Result Skill gaps

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Aims of the Academy

• A new initiative to establish a business
  networking academy to facilitate local businesses
  in developing their managers, supervisors and
  team leaders.
• Project sponsored by North West Development
  Agency and The Management Centre at Wigan and
  Leigh College.

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Project Aims

• Employer engagement No Closed Door
• Working with local businesses
• Diagnosis to identify learning and skills needs
  of managers
• Develop management and supervisory skills
• Developing learning champions
• Raising awareness of IiP standard
• Networking with like-minded organisations

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Business Champions

• We have identified local business champions
• Pataks Foods
• Waterfields Bakery
• Stephensons Solicitors
• Leighton Packaging
• Jackson Stephen Accountants
• Royal Bank of Scotland/Nat West

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Business Champions

• Role
• To support The Management Centre in achieving
  contracted outputs (via steering group)
• To act as intermediaries
• To engage local business (including supply
  chains)
• To host training events
• To make a positive difference to the local
  business economy linking skills development to
  bottom line business performance

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Our priorities for small company
training In-house whenever possible. After the
course the people trained will be able to do
something they could not do before, which
will Increase profit. After the course the
people trained will stop doing something that
reduces profit.
Its all about evaluation of bottom line
business benefit
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Rationale for the Business Networking Academy

• Re-engaging employers and employees
• Breaking down barriers
• Focused approach to Management Development
• Addressing skills gaps and shortages
• Accessing Management Development opportunities
  cost effectively
• Increasing income to the college

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  WIGAN LEIGH COLLEGE