DISC > Employment Initiatives > Regional Learning and Skills

Regional Learning and Skills
Sue Northcott has been working since 2005 as the NE Regional VCS Learning & Skills Coordinator. The Role covers the following:
  • To increase awareness of training within the sector,
  • To increase delivery of training throughout the VCS - promoting the sector as a provider of learning,
  • To ensure the skill needs of the sector are recognised by key partners - taking forward the NE VCS Skills Action Plan 2005-2008,
  • To work with the Regional Equality and Diversity Co-ordinators - Amtushakoor Ahmed and Robert Tshisekedi,
  • To communicate relevant learning and skills information.
  • To oversee the work of the Regional ESOL Coordinator in conjunction with BECON.
A monthly e-bulletin is also produced and circulated. To be included on the circulation list or to forward any learning & skills information you wish to be promoted, please email regional@disc-vol.org.uk

The NE VCS Regional Skills Forum is made up of representatives from the Voluntary & Community Sector working within the North East Region and also includes public sector and other partner organisations able to commission and utilise Voluntary & Community Sector service delivery for the benefit of the North East Region.

Members have a strategic interest in ensuring that the Voluntary & Community Sectors workforce, which includes paid staff and volunteers (including trustees), have the right skills to fulfil their roles and responsibilities within their workplace.

The NE VCS Skills Action Plan 2005-2008 was launched in November 2005, with the Implementation Plan launched in November 2006.

Developed from an extensive consultation process and building upon existing research on sector needs, contribution and resources, the aims of this Voluntary and Community Sector Skills Action Plan are to:
  • Influence and link the development and delivery of skills policy, both nationally and in the North East,
  • Make explicit the training needs of the Voluntary and Community Sector as defined by organisations in the sector,
  • Inform providers of skill needs and support the planning of learning activities.
The focus of this plan is development of the VCS workforce. Whilst the plan takes into account skill needs linked to the development of the sector’s role as a supplier of learning, the needs of VCS clients are not addressed by this plan. The specific objectives of this plan are to:
  • Raise the profile of the VCS in the North East
  • Develop supply in priority skills
  • Stimulate demand for learning
  • Tackle barriers to learning
  • Promote equality and diversity
  • Evaluate and review progress
For more information regarding the NE Regional VCS Learning & Coordinator role and its objectives, the NE VCS Regional Skills Forum or the NE VCS Skills Action Plan and its Implementation please visit www.letsworktogether.co.uk.

Contact
Office Suite B, St John's Business Centre, Meadowfield, Durham, DH7 8TZ
Tel: 0191 - 378 3718
Fax: 0191 - 378 1653