Introduction

This programme is the result of WMBC working with The Association of Colleges [AoC] and in particular Bournville College and its partner colleges Sutton Coldfield, Josiah Mason and Matthew Boulton Colleges, who collectively form the Centre of Business Excellence in Birmingham.

There is a widely acknowledged belief that employers should play their part in developing a skilled and flexible workforce. Likewise the college sector needs to do more to engage with employers and provide the training and education they really want, when and where they want it.

This site aims to facilitate a collaborative approach to training and development, which is mutually beneficial to all parties.

How The Pilot Scheme Works

Essentially it is an online matchmaking service, the only proviso that this is centred on development and training. If an employer has a development need, then it can be listed and, hopefully, a solution offered.

Another use may be for colleges to offer their young students [tomorrows workforce] to employers on work placements. Also against the criticism that colleges do not always provide what is needed, there will be opportunities for employers to get involved with course design and development.

There could even be instances where employers get together with other employers in the same sector for a consortium based approach to training and other employment needs, following the model set by the public sector: www.publicservicecompact.org.uk

Pilot Programme Partners

For the first phase of this scheme, CBEB, the Centre of Vocational Excellence [CoVE] for business and professional services is taking the lead, so partnership requests can only be around subject areas such as management, accounting, human resources, marketing, administration and related subject areas, and also in the appropriate geographical areas.

For the next phase, the geographical and subjecty areas will be extended to cover the full region and increased subject/sector specialisations.

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