What about World Class Skills?
Rob Boucherat from KPMG is involved in the World Class Skills initiative. Here he writes about the initiative and what it can do for FE providers.
What is WCS?
World Class Skills (WCS) is a major initiative to help further education (FE) providers be more responsive to employers’ needs and improve the competitiveness of UK businesses through the ongoing provision of skilled and capable workers. The result of a collective effort of a huge number of organisations, stakeholders and FE sector experts, the programme is delivered by KPMG and a consortium of national partners on behalf of the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS). Together, they bring significant expertise to the sector and can draw upon a huge range of industry-leading practice and innovation to share with colleges and training providers across FE.
What can WCS offer?
The programme offers providers of all sizes and needs, a unique range of tailored, fully-subsidised support to equip them with the knowledge and expertise they need to fulfil employer demand. This package of support is entirely flexible and includes a broad variety of events, guidance and materials. In particular: seminars; workshops; surgeries; consultancies; sector coaching; and thematic development projects. Every intervention can be further supported by a range of online resources including e-learning modules and labour market information tools.
Designed to meet the needs of all LSC-funded providers – whether colleges or independent training providers – WCS’ series of carefully planned and tailored support offers each provider the individual tools and knowledge they need to help local employers improve skills levels and access. In addition, it also helps to bring providers together, creating opportunities to share concerns, challenges and ideas. Through these sessions, providers can build a lasting support network that will ensure they are offering the training and development that employers need most.
For example, a number of providers in the East Midlands region are accessing consultancy support on developing their employer engagement strategies, enhancing their processes in dealing with employers and assisting them with the selection and implementation of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems.
This collaboration and networking between providers is one of the key strengths of the programme. Their contribution ensures that the products and services made available through WCS are informed by real, frontline experience and offer practical support relevant to providers’ specific needs.
Specific sector skills support
In addition to the open access programme offerings, further specific support is now being customised to meet the needs of those providers aiming to develop and improve their Apprenticeship delivery and/or providers working towards Training Quality Standard (TQS) Part B certification.
Accessing WCS
For further information, resources, and guidance on the WCS programme please visit www.excellencegateway.org.uk/wcs. Alternatively, to contact a member of the WCS team, email wcsenquiries@kpmg.co.uk or call 0800 328 6075.
To see information from the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) about LSC Pre-employment programme support, please click here.