Centres of Vocational Excellence Case Studies Since the concept of Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) was launched in November 2000 by the then Secretary of State for Education and Employment at the Association of Colleges annual conference, development of the CoVE network has been rapid.
In September 2003, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) achieved a major milestone with over 200 centres in the CoVE network, some six months ahead of schedule. The programme will continue to grow and is on target to have a full network of around 400 centres in place at colleges and at work based providers in England by 2006. The first Centres of Vocational Excellence started in July 2001 and recent evaluation of their progress has confirmed that they are benefiting trainees, employers and learning providers. The evaluation report Measuring Progress: The Impact of the Centres of Vocational Excellence programme, concludes: Overall, the aims of raising the standards of vocational learning and increasing the relevance of provision to employers and industry have been embraced by providers. Other key points from the report: around 81% of centres reported or forecast an increase in learners; two-thirds of the centres forecast increases in achievement levels; the majority of employers surveyed reported high levels of satisfaction with the service they received from the specialist centres; the centres have increased collaboration with employers and providers; and where employers are involved with a centre, attitudes towards post-16 provision are improving. The rapid growth and early impact of the programme signals that the Centres of Vocational Excellence programme has the capacity to meet the skills needs of individuals, employers and the economy. The case studies show the programme is responding to the demands of the market for high quality learning across a large number of vocational subjects. The case studies were compiled during summer 2003 to demonstrate the benefits of the Centres of Vocational Excellence programme. Each centre targets a particular industry sector and local or regional skills issues. The case studies provide examples of good practice and highlight aims that are central to the success of the programme, including: a significant expansion in vocational learning, particularly at Level 3; a rapid increase in engagement with employers and employment sectors; improving the ability of the centre s to recruit, retain and develop high quality staff; curriculum development; introducing innovative and flexible learning; and harnessing state-of-the-art resources, facilities and equipment. For more information about the programme, visit the Centres of Vocational Excellence website on www.cove.lsc.gov.uk or contact your local Learning and Skills Council.
Centres of Vocational Excellence Case Studies The Centre of Vocational Excellence at Truro College, Cornwall is based in new purpose-built premises from September 2003. The impact of additional support through CoVE funding has been felt in a number of areas. Cornwall Care, a major local employer said: The support received from the care centre at Truro College s CoVE has enabled us to develop and deliver successful courses, tailor-made to the needs of our organisation. Without this support our staff training programme would have been impossible to implement with the impact necessary to effectively improve care standards, particularly with clients who have dementia. Donna Simmonds, CoVE Development Leader at the college, says there have been a number of key developments since the care learning area became part of the CoVE programme. The centre has invested in new equipment and increased staff resources and expertise in response to demand. For example, the centre s staff are now able to deliver a very popular short course in moving and handling patients. Increased numbers of learners The growth in the number of learners has been impressive, particularly at Level 3 which is a key objective of the Centres of Vocational Excellence programme. The college has more welltrained professional staff delivering health and safety, on the job assessment, mentoring or other customised vocational packages. Many learners on the centre s courses are adults seeking to improve their skills. The centre has identified a clear trend in employees progressing from short courses to Level 3 qualifications. Donna Simmonds says the programme has enabled the specialist care centre at Truro to increase its capacity and expertise and win new business. A comprehensive programme of staff development at the Truro centre has enabled it to increase links with other training providers in the care sector and to develop the curriculum in areas such as distance learning. Truro College, which has Beacon Status, is committed to widening participation and improving the quality of learning. The centre has a big role in this mission. Around 480 employers have links with the centre, many of them small businesses. Since achieving CoVE status, the centre s working relationship with the NHS Trust and social services in the Truro area has progressed quickly.
The Centre of Vocational Excellence programme is a cornerstone of the Government s policy to strengthen technical and vocational specialisation in further education. It aims to develop a nationally co-ordinated network of vocational centres comprising a strategic mix of high quality local, regional, national and sectoral specialisms to meet skills needs. The Motor Vehicle Engineering CoVE at Barnfield College in Luton is a good example of the impact of CoVE status. Additional funding through the initiative has enabled the college to invest in state-of-the-art diagnostic and testing equipment, encouraging much greater involvement by employers from the sector. And increasing demand for its courses has led to a rise in enrolments from 267 to 328. The college, which already had Beacon Status, now works closely with industry to develop tailored training courses for vehicle technicians, providing them with the advanced engineering and electronics skills that are required for modern vehicles. Mike Wilkinson, Apprentice Training Manager of Volkswagen Group (UK) Ltd said: Barnfield has played a leading role in the development of an important partnership between education and industry. Facilities and staff The centre has increased staffing levels, expanded facilities and invested in the latest high technology equipment. It focuses on Level 3 and 4 programmes and, with increasing complexity of vehicle electrical and electronics systems, diagnostics training is much in demand. The centre has responded to the needs of the sector by providing customised training to dealer networks and smaller outlets. Nick Murphy, CoVE Manager, says CoVE status has helped win new business and has helped the centre to develop its range of provision. It receives support from key employers and plans are in hand to work with more micro and owner-manager businesses. The specialist vocational centre is heavily involved in the development of new courses and has networked with other CoVEs and providers in the automotive vocational area. Key objectives have been to develop learning resources such as mini guides and distance and e-learning to ensure flexible, customer-focused delivery. Next steps to develop NVQ Level 4 provision in partnership with local universities; introduce secondments for all teaching staff to work with employers and dealers within the motor vehicle industry; extend the centre s capacity to deliver customised training for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs);. develop online e-learning curriculum to support delivery to SMEs; provide a platform for future development of Level 3 National Certificate delivery; and strengthen the partnership with four colleges at leading edge of motor vehicle engineering to standardise learning.
Centres of Vocational Excellence Case Studies The Centre of Vocational Excellence at Hull College is rising to the challenge of meeting a growing demand for construction industry skills as a result of regeneration and development projects underway in the Humber Estuary area. Additional funding under the initiative has helped to equip an impressive new construction centre opened at the college in September 2003. It will include a new computer numerically controlled (CNC) woodworking machine. Nick Lumb, CoVE Manager, is certain that the centre will be able to use its increased capacity to help meet the skills needs of employers in the area. Professional development is available to all the centre s training team and activities have included secondments from industry, the use of IT in teaching and the delivery of key skills. The specialist centre has good working relationships with industry partners to provide training at all levels from 1 to Level 3. Jim Stephenson, Chairman at Quibell Group, a local employer that uses the centre, said, Hull College Construction CoVE played a key role in co-ordinating our Beacon award-winning 14-16 project, which is a true partnership between education, training, and industry. It has created a first class opportunity for young people to enter an exciting and vibrant industry with excellent career opportunities. Training is increasingly being delivered at employers premises and the centre uses online learning to respond to the construction industry s demands for flexible and customised courses. Plans are also in hand to work with more micro and owner-manager businesses. Close links with key industry partners have led to the development of relevant and up-to-date skills training. One example is the pilot of a construction scholarship aimed at 14-19 year olds. Another is workplace assessment and verification for skills testing necessary for the Construction Site Certification Scheme card, which is needed to work in the industry. Both reflect the centre s focus on meeting customer needs. The centre has undertaken a number of projects to widen participation by using outreach facilities in deprived areas and taster courses for young people at summer schools. It also supports other providers in the sector and has been heavily involved in an initiative to address providers development needs.
This work based learning provider joined the Centres of Vocational Excellence programme as a result of a successful track record in delivering specialist vocational courses for the shipping and transport industries. ITS has developed learning packages that use remote online learning to enable flexible and responsive solutions to the needs of employers and learners. In the shipping sector, an up-to-date understanding of complex international and national legislation is critical. The learning programme entitled COAST (Commercial Overseas and Shipping Training) provides tailored learning opportunities from introductory to advanced levels. The centre uses information technology in new and innovative ways to reduce the burden of assessment and the latest software, ENROL (Electronic NVQ Remote Online Learning), developed by the centre, is increasingly popular. Nicky Fishwick, Personnel Manager, Medite Shipping Company UK Limited, says: Being part of a very competitive and busy industry, we have found the flexible learning on CD-ROM and ENROL integrates well with our staff s working patterns. This has meant minimal disruption to the operation of the numerous departments throughout the organisation. John Edson, Managing Director of ITS, has used CoVE funding to invest in additional staff to meet increasing demand. Increased staffing resource has meant that additional training materials for Level 3 learning are now being used on a wider basis to meet a range of needs. CoVE funding has also speeded the development of new software and investment in the latest computer hardware. All students are employed adults and the capacity of the system to adapt to individual learner needs, including the pace, time and location of learning, is a key factor in the choice of training for individuals and employers. Training uses the latest technology including webcams and its benefits are simplicity of use, accessibility, online evidence and testing and OCR remote verification. As a result, many learners are able to gain essential new skills and knowledge quickly and with the minimum disruption. The centre works closely with the industry and awarding bodies to develop its courses. John Edson is particularly proud of the ability of ENROL to manage the training process automatically, saving time in administration and allowing tutors and students to concentrate on learning. Together with COAST, ENROL is proving cost-effective in delivering learning and qualifications in a fast-moving industry. Increasing numbers of employers are investing in customised training packages for their staff. The centre is working with partners and other training providers and the potential to expand the system to other ports through networking is a possibility. In order to meet the demands of all staff within the sector, the development of ENROL training materials in Business Administration, Customer Service, Information Technology, Management and Key Skills, is planned, with the potential to spread ENROL to other sectors. Another example of the customerfocused approach of the centre is a pilot programme with local schools to promote vocational education and training.
Centres of Vocational Excellence Case Studies The Centre of Vocational Excellence at Newham College, east London, specialises in training for the rail industry, providing skilled fitters for the critical operational areas involving rolling stock, signalling, electronic process control and rail infrastructure. The college s Chris Leadbeater, who was influential in driving forward plans for Centre of Vocational Excellence status, says demand for vocational skills has doubled in the first year and he expects further expansion at the centre. Chris says the programme is invaluable for committing resources to develop training tailored to meet the special needs of the rail industry, with a particular emphasis on safety. The CoVE programme has funded substantial increases in staffing levels that has enabled the centre to provide customised and in-company training packages for many of the approved contractors that provide operational and support services in the rail industry in London and the South East. Owing to the specialist nature of the industry, it has been necessary for the centre to grow its own skills capability. Staff development is given a high priority to build the increased capacity required to deliver the wide range of courses the industry needs. Equipment and facilities are also being improved, including the provision of portable equipment to allow training to be delivered on site. Increased numbers of learners and qualifications The centre has experienced increasing demand for its skills training, particularly from part-time sponsored learners. There is a clear trend of trainees progressing through from Levels 1 and 2 to Level 3. The centre is also heavily involved in workplace assessment and internal verification of qualifications. Close working relationships with approved rail contractors have been established. In order to respond to the industry s needs, the centre organised a recruitment day for a major rail infrastructure company and provides onsite training for rail operating companies. Joint initiatives include developing courses and software in conjunction with employers. The specialist centre keeps in touch with customers through regular meetings and reviews and formal customer feedback. The Newham College centre has links with the Strategic Rail Authority and is involved in many committees and rail industry forums. The centre also collaborates with the French rail industry to provide development opportunities and placements for apprentices.
The construction industry is vital to the economy of the East of England, which has the largest construction output outside London and the South East and the strongest forecast growth of any region. The industry in Cambridgeshire is suffering skills shortages due to an ageing workforce and an inadequate supply of new entrants. The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Skills Foresight Report predicts an annual requirement of 9,300 recruits for the next four years in the East of England. Background to the Cambridgeshire Construction CoVE The centre comprises a hub of three FE colleges; Peterborough Regional College, which leads, Cambridge Regional College and Isle College Wisbech, working to provide more integrated and industry-focused construction skills for Cambridgeshire. CoVE Project Manager, Barrie Wicklen, says the centre has been the catalyst for change and more effective working relationships. This has resulted in pooling valuable resources, including joint curriculum developments, leading to an expansion of training and quality improvements. The centre has a good reputation amongst employers, with repeat business and rising income from full-cost courses. Full-cost provision shows a 35% increase in student numbers, 54% increase in employer involvement and 42% increase in income over the period 2000-01 to 2001-02. Employer participation in curriculum development and delivery is evident through specialist courses for organisations such as Huntingdon Housing Partnership, Peterborough City Council, Pedigree Foods Ltd and Cambridge City Council. Martin Johnston of the Aqua Group of companies said the centre had responded promptly and flexibly to the group s training needs. This flexibility allowed us to continue with normal service whilst training was being undertaken resulting in a much improved service to our clients. The centre has engaged with the CITB, the LSC, industry forums, partners and stakeholders and made good progress in contributing to future training and assessment needs. Annual employer and learner surveys are used to improve course content and delivery. The centre has expanded into higherlevel skill priority areas with significant capital funding and support from employers. It has upgraded classrooms and flexible study areas and introduced new Information Technology. This investment has led to increased staffing and Full CoVE Status has also boosted staff motivation. Increased numbers of learners and qualifications There are 42 construction courses through eight different attendance patterns, plus tailor-made full-cost provision. During the first year there was a 20% increase in overall recruitment Cambridge employer Alan Lucas, of Kershaws Mechanical Services, said: We were delighted to receive the end of year results of our trainees who had clearly worked hard to achieve their NVQs and had obviously benefited from the additional support provided by CoVE staff throughout the training. The specialist centre is also increasing capacity to deliver more Modern Apprenticeships. The CoVE is contributes to the 14-19 agenda and with the CITB and local industry partners has provided taster days and an employer-led summer school. The Cambridgeshire centre is committed to the CITB-LSC On Site Training and Assessment (OSAT) initiative, a national scheme which involves profiling candidates, identifying competence gaps, arranging top-up training and providing assessments to gain an NVQ 2/3 and a CITB Construction Site Certification Scheme card. In July 2003, 350 candidates were registered on the scheme across the region. An exciting new partnership has been established between one of the largest block manufactures in the country, H+H Celcon Ltd, and the centre. Both organisations are committed to address industry issues, in particular the need to ensure that new bricklayers are trained in new systems, such as thin-joint masonry.
Centres of Vocational Excellence Case Studies The College of North West London s Centre of Vocational Excellence, which has now received Full CoVE Status, is based at the Willesden campus in the north west of London and serves training and education needs from a wide catchment area. Students come from as far afield as Brighton and St Albans. The centre also has a significant international presence. Programmes are offered up to national Level 4 and for all types of attendance. There are well-established higher education courses and a broad portfolio of short courses to meet employers needs for training and continuing professional development, including the safe handling of refrigerants and knowledge of current regulations. Tony Fleming, CoVE Development Manager, says the investment in new equipment and resources will allow for further innovation and targeted development of specialist courses. Paul Grandy, Managing Director of Mulitiplex, says: Maintenance is the type of business that needs its own directly employed and highly skilled technicians exactly the skills being developed by the college through its designation as a Centre of Vocational Excellence. CoVE funding has enabled the college to recruit 25% additional staff and continuous staff development is a high priority. The centre has brought in hightech teaching equipment and new software for training in refrigeration and air conditioning. Funding has also been used to re-equip the latest refrigeration section. Increased numbers of learners and qualifications Over 70% of learners are adults seeking to increase their skills and qualifications. Growing demand has led to a 50% increase in the number of learners in the first year. The centre also provides good routes for progression from Level 1 and 2 and from September 2004 there will be an opportunity for trainees to take a Foundation Degree. The centre has close links with the specialist construction industry, while its delivery of supervisory and management training ensures that contacts are maintained with employers. The centre increasingly provides customised training on site at employers premises and its managers are heavily engaged with industry advisory groups, including the Chartered Institute of Builders, and with the latest developments in curriculum design and delivery. The CoVE supports the project to build the new Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport and helps recruit skilled workers for other major construction projects in London. The centre spreads good practice in the college and throughout the network of Centres of Vocational Excellence. One of its key roles is to act as a test bed for new approaches and it is piloting new courses prior to their wider introduction in the sector. Next steps working with employers to enhance short course provision; broaden its curriculum to encompass industry standard practices; develop e-learning and other web-based programmes; increase progression to national Level 3; and introduce extra workshops and more flexible programmes of study.
The Centre of Vocational Excellence in Automotive Technology has built on a long history of education and training for the automotive industry in the area. The centre is moving to new premises, with its own building in high profile facilities that will include a designated showroom. Bill Black, CoVE Manager, points to a number of key developments as a result of the CoVE programme, such as investment in the latest high-technology diagnostics equipment, new partnerships with employers, including the motorcycle industry, and high levels of staff development at the centre. Customers have noticed the improvements, too. Patterson Ford Managing Director Ashley Winter said: The future of the motor industry in the UK depends on the creation of future generations of skilled technicians. The Centre of Vocational Excellence at Gateshead is making great strides in ensuring that this region is at the heart of automotive excellence. Developments at the centre include: increasing provision to capture all aspects of vehicle maintenance, service and repair of road vehicles (all types); establishing links with second tier manufacturers within the automotive sector of industry; setting up short skills improvement programmes for the body repair and refinishing sector; and introducing pre-apprenticeship programme for the 14-16 age group. CoVE funding has supported a 40% increase in staffing levels that has allowed the centre to expand provision to meet demand and develop a responsive range of services, for example, a new area in vehicle air conditioning. Facilities and equipment have been improved to industry standards. The centre has also been approved as a Thatcham repair centre. Increased numbers of learners and qualifications The centre has increased its enrolments and plans to further increase Level 3 learning and qualifications. It is also introducing new courses to encourage progression from Level 1 and 2 to Level 3, a key requirement of the motor industry. It is also very active in promoting opportunities to schools and the community. The centre has a good working relationship with main dealers and small businesses in the motor trade, with regular breakfast meetings to swap information and ideas. Employers also provide materials, equipment and other support to the centre. To respond to market demands, the centre delivers vendor qualifications an area where there has been a major increase in demand in the motor industry. The centre also works closely with a cluster of other learning providers in the region and with the national CoVE network to spread good practice and raise standards.
LSC November 2003 Published by the Learning and Skills Council. Extracts from this publication may be reproduced for non-commercial, educational or training purposes on condition that the source is acknowledged and the findings are not misrepresented. This publication is available in an electronic form on the Council s website: www.lsc.gov.uk or at www.cove.lsc.gov.uk Reference LSC/0928/03