National Skills Academies Support & Implementation

Learning and Skills Council (LSC)

CFE worked with the Learning and Skills Council from 2007 to support the development of National Skills Academies.

National Skills Academies are a key instrument in the Government’s agenda to achieve more specialised, responsive training and development services, which will respond better to employers’ needs.

CFE undertook a wide range of supporting activities with the LSC including:

  • Supporting the four newly approved NSAs (Round 4) as they develop their Business Plans and managing the process through to approval and implementation. The approval process, designed by CFE, is intended to utilise the knowledge and experience of active NSAs in order to inform the development of the new NSAs. ‘Check Points’ were held throughout March, April and May to help gauge the progress of the NSAs Business Plan development and provide support and guidance prior to the submission of their Business Plan. Business Plan appraisal and approval meetings are being conducted throughout August to October.
  • Developing the EOI approval process for Round 5 NSAs.  This will be based on a programme review of the previous round and will utilise learning gained from research activities being undertaken
  • Undertaking a programme of support visits with those NSAs whose EOI were declined as part of the Round 4 selection process
  • Supporting those NSAs currently in business planning phase as part of our ‘critical friend’ role to ensure that activities being undertaken by the NSA will ensure their sustainability beyond the development phase.

As a result of feedback received from the LSC and BIS, CFE’s expertise has been expanded to include additional areas of the NSA programme by supporting the LSC on:  

  • Designing the approval and assessment process of business plans for NSAs from Rounds 1-3 including new submissions and resubmissions
  • Managing the resubmission and approval of the NSA for Materials, Production and Supply’s Business Plan in February.
  • Supporting the development of Round 2 and 3 NSAs sustainability strategies, including target and milestone setting
  • Brokering relationships between NSAs and LSC regions to ensure planned learner volumes for 09/10 could be understood and accommodated
  • Providing consultancy support for unsuccessful bids from round 4, providing feedback on their Expression of Interests
  • Providing third-party advice and guidance to those NSAs whose business plans have been approved during their three year development period
  • Designing and implementing the approval process for Round 5 NSAs.