Asset Skills The Sector Skills Council for the places in which we live and work Julie Freemantle Head of Business Dev

1. Asset Skills The Sector Skills Council for the places in which we live and work Julie Freemantle Head of Business Development

2. AGENDA Background to Asset Skills The Asset Skills UK Academy – current model Academy Services Benefits for Employers Benefits for Learning Providers Achievements so far Proposed Academy for Parking Questions and discussion

3. ASSET SKILLS Part of the Alliance of Sector Skills Council - 21 Sector Skills Council across the UK covering all sectors of industry UK Wide organisation – offices in England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland Remit to Engage with employers Establish and respond to learning needs Ensure standards and qualifications meet sector needs Promote existing training and development Facilitate access to funding and support Encourage greater flexibility in delivery of training provision

4. ASSET SKILLS SECTORS Cleaning – office, retail, industrial Facilities Management – support services (catering, cleaning, maintenance, security, health and safety) Property – estate agency, planning, chartered surveying Housing – housing associations, local council, private and public rented housing. Parking

5. ASSET SKILLS and the BPA Asset Skills and the British Parking Association (BPA) working closely together over the last three years Developed a Memorandum of Understanding covering activities including standards and qualifications development The BPA is represented on the Asset Skills Board and have reciprocal arrangements on the Skills and Institute of Parking Professionals Board of the BPA.

6. ASSET SKILLS UK ACADEMY A one-stop shop for employers wishing to access training, skills development and support

7. UK ACADEMY - BACKGROUND Developed from issues raised from employers in the Business Services sector New qualifications developed but lack of providers AS visited over 50 colleges/providers to find partners Virtual Academy for Business Services – launched May 2010 Outside National Skills Academies network - run directly by Asset Skills Bring employers and training providers closer together to raise skills levels Academy strands in Business Services, Housing, Property, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

8. ACADEMY SERVICES Referral service to specialist network of providers Delivery of pilot training programmes Identification of funding opportunities and access to on-line funding database Higher Education liaison through HE/employer forum Provision of assessor recruitment service and forum Development of student support forum Preparation and distribution of case studies to promote good practice and encourage new entrants into profession Influence national priorities regarding the skills agenda Support for learning providers

9. REFERRAL SERVICE Two scenarios: Incoming enquiries for learning support Enquiry received by telephone, email etc Response within 3 days providing appropriate training solution Regular follow up until completion of learning Proactive approach by Asset Skills to recruit candidates to provider members learning programmes Identify learning programmes with providers Agree delivery programme, timescales, costs etc Asset Skills engagement team recruit employers Regular follow up until completion of learning

10. DELIVERY OF PILOT LEARNING PROGRAMMES Agree with providers delivery model for new learning programme – costs, timescales, regions covered, start dates Recruit employers to new programme using face to face meetings, canvassing telephone calls, e-shots, newsletters Help recruit assessors if required Approach stakeholders for funding support Provide assessor/student forums Arrange PR

11. FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES Academy website will host funding database Academy will seek out new areas of funding support Academy members given advance notice of any funding opportunities Asset Skills will give priority to any academy members when allocating funding secured Academy will act as a lead body to manage any project delivery

12. HIGHER EDUCATION LIAISON Look to strengthen HE provision through direct liaison with universities, professional bodies Identify opportunities to develop graduate work placement schemes Academy will promote career pathways at careers fairs and conferences Develop a database of work experience placements

13. ASSESSOR RECRUITMENT Establish an on-line forum for assessors to encourage sharing of best practice Academy will help recruit assessors through Newsletters Articles in trade press Websites Websites of professional bodies, trade partners, employers Conferences New media – Twitter/Linkedin/Facebook etc

14. STUDENT FORUMS Developed to help minimise the risk of candidates failing to complete qualifications Allow candidates in remote locations to share experiences, discuss problems under supervision of a moderator The Forum will be: Password protected Moderated Diary enabled to allow reminders to be sent of deadline of course work etc

15. INFLUENCE SKILLS AGENDA Asset Skills work through Academy to raise the profile of all sectors it represents with relevant government departments Work to ensure that the UK Academy is granted same status as National Skills Academies Work with Government departments to ensure sectors and employers get recognition for their skills needs and issues

16. SUPPORT FOR LEARNING PROVIDERS Academy will develop strong links with learning providers Each Academy provider will be appointed an account manager who will: Undertake a liaison role between employer and provider Work with providers and employers to identify and deal with any problems that may arise Meet on a quarterly basis with each provider to review performanceand develop any new areas of delivery

17. MEMBERSHIP FEES EMPLOYERS Annual flat rate membership fee for employers based on number of employees starting at £50 LEARNING PROVIDERS Referral Fee per candidates: £75 for an apprenticeship programme £50 for an accredited qualification outside apprenticeship programme 10% of cost of any other programme up to maximum of £50

18. BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYERS A one stop service that saves time and money; the Academy will aim to source the best training for the best price Advice on the emerging employment and skills needs of the workforce from a team that understands your business requirements Development of a bespoke training plan based on your specific requirements Identification of funding opportunities as and when they become available Advance notification of events and training taking place across the network Access to learndirecteCourses at a discount Regular e-newsletter with details of academy activities and industry news Learning delivered in a flexible manner by a quality training provider to suit your working practice wherever you are based

19. BENEFITS FOR PROVIDERS No annual membership fee, you only pay for referrals received Referral service - we direct learners to you We promote your courses whilst visiting employers and through newsletters, press releases and social media We encourage employers to collaborate to create economically viable class sizes Provision of an assessor recruitment service and forum Dedicated Account Manager from Asset Skills Being part of the Academy Network will identify you as a specialist high quality provider of skills training for employers in the sector

20. BENEFITS FOR PROVIDERS Provider forum – for sharing good practice and training materials Support with provider promotional events Advance notice of funding opportunities as and when they become available Regular e-newsletter with details of academy activities and industry news Access to a network of other quality providers delivering qualifications via the academy Advice on the emerging employment and skills needs of the sectors

21. ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR Employer Members – 27 Provider Members – 22 across the UK No of employer enquiries received - 401 No of candidates referred to learning providers - 2600 Example types of qualifications referred: Level 3 Apprenticeship in FM Level 3 Certificate in Cleaning Supervision Level 3 NVQ in Housing Level 3 Apprenticeships in Residential Lettings / Sale of Residential Property Level 2 Customer Service

22. PROPOSED ACADEMY FOR PARKING Same model as other Asset Skills UK Academies Supported by the BPA Draft prospectus prepared Launch at Parkex in April 2012 Use to promote the new Leadership & Management qualifications

23. QUESTIONS?