Regional Response Fund Project Knowledge Exchange in Learning and Skills: Change Exchange
Regional Response
Fund Project
Knowledge Exchange in Learning and Skills: Change Exchange
Networks across the West
Midlands.
Fergus McKay, Susie Knight, Jill Hardman
Who are we?
West Midlands Centre for Excellence in Teacher
Training (WMCETT) established 2007at the
University of Warwick - Centre for Lifelong Learning .
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
Change Exchange Network areas
Birmingham/
Black Country
Walsall
Staffordshire/
The Marches
Herefordshire/
Worcestershire
Coventry/
Warwickshire
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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
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
