How TVLPN supports learners and providers alike
TRAINING
Training mission – Tees Valley Learning Providers Network chair Nicole Bewley ( centre ) with officers Jo Thompson ( left ) and Rachel McCready .
ALL ABOUT LEARNING
How TVLPN supports learners and providers alike
A
trusted network is continuing to help the Tees Valley grow by making vital connections between learners and learning providers .
For more than 20 years , the Tees Valley Learning Providers Network has been dedicated to supporting learning providers and learners alike to achieve their full potential in the field of work-based learning .
A registered charity set up more than 20 years ago , TVLPN now has 48 members across the breadth of the learning provision spectrum – and is looking to grow further .
It ’ s a varied membership too , ranging from local authorities and privatelyowned companies to colleges and local and national organisations , big and small – but all linked by a mission to promote high-quality vocational and apprenticeship training .
From study programmes to T Levels and apprenticeships – including higher and degree apprenticeships – network membership ensures access to a wealth of collaboration and good practice .
It offers expert guidance and support , high-quality discounted training events and collaborative funding opportunities .
It also has a contract with the Department for Education to deliver the ASK ( Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge ) programme , where TVLPN works with schools and colleges to explain and promote apprenticeships on the ministry ’ s behalf .
Bi-monthly meetings featuring key speakers connect stakeholders and network members , with network officers Jo Thompson and Rachel McCready the network ’ s main points of contact .
Jo said : “ One thing that ’ s really important is that providers come together and they are not just on their own when trying to run their own business .
“ The business strategy for the network is governed by members – it ’ s not up to me , Rachel or the steering group , it ’ s up to the members . We have an annual survey asking network members what they want help with , what training they want , that sort of thing .
“ We can ’ t wave a magic wand – we can ’ t get funding out of nowhere , for example . But we feed into other governing bodies that can then speak with a bigger voice .”
And Jo said the power of the network was illustrated when an urgent request went out to members for a Japanese translator .
She said : “ I thought , ‘ I ’ m never going to get an answer to this ’ but within seconds , three training providers gave me names of people who could help . And that , in a nutshell , was our network in action .”
Rachel added : “ The whole idea is that members are able to network with each other so they can stay in the conversation ,
For more about TVLPN , or to inquire about membership , visit tvlpn . co . uk or email jo . thompson @ tvlpn . co . uk or rachel . mccready @ tvlpn . co . uk
WORDS : DAVE ROBSON PICTURE : TOM BANKS
find out where funding is coming from , find out who the new training providers are and what they ’ re offering . Ofsted , for example , will ask , ‘ Are you part of a network ?’ and it bodes really well for an organisation if they can say they are .”
The network is managed by a 10-strong steering group and chaired since Christmas by Nicole Bewley – director of apprenticeships at Learning Curve Group ( LCG ).
A recent innovation , prompted by Nicole , is a series of peer support groups covering such topics as safeguarding , functional skills and well-being .
And it ’ s having that kind of support available that makes Nicole in no doubt as to TVLPN ’ s worth .
She said : “ LCG has been a member of the network for a number of years with myself starting as a member , becoming part of the steering group and now chair .
“ It ’ s a great opportunity to build relationships with colleagues from other providers and share best practices , ask for advice and share insights .
“ The network meetings provide updates from sector bodies , with upto-date information on policy and the opportunity to ask questions directly to the stakeholders .”
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