Page 7 - GMLPN Annual Report - 1920 Final_Neat

Working in Partnership

“At the heart of our approach is our core vision and purpose – to make the
employment and skills system in Greater Manchester as effective as possible. In
order to do that we are committed to working as closely as possible with our partners
and enhancing the communications between commissioners and providers at all
levels. For some years we have recognised that the voice of training providers who
are actually delivering the vast majority of the employment and skills training
delivered in Greater Manchester and beyond is not always heard, and as such a key
priority is to ensure effective two way communication.”
Andy Fawcett | Executive Director

We have worked with a range or partners locally, regionally and nationally throughout the
year. Some highlights include:

 We are striving to build ever close links between providers and DWP/JCP to ensure that
colleagues in JCP are aware of the full range of employability and vocational training across
Greater Manchester. We are also delighted that a Amy Pond from JCP has joined our
Advisory Board.
 Throughout the pandemic, sustaining weekly contact with ESFA alerting them to emerging
issues identified by members and including them in our regular Network Meetings.
 Our continuous work with colleagues in GMCA has been vital in helping us to inform policy
development and keeping the Network informed. Work includes, representation on the
Employment and Skills Advisory Panel and sustaining the AEB programme.
 Weekly meetings alongside other members of the Northern Skills Network allowed us to gain
intel on a regional level, including a regular survey to Training Providers across the North.
The outcomes were then shared with Government and helped to shape the policy response
not least the about turn which enabled providers to sustain apprenticeship training as and
when apprentices were furloughed and made redundant.
 We continued to work closely with Ofsted the past year including both Mark Currie (Mantra
Learning and chair of GMLPN) and John Whitby (STEGTA) sitting on the NW Ofsted
Regional Reference Group and regular updates at Network Meetings in respect of Interim
Visits and finding’s and observations of the rapid shift to online and virtual learning.

 One of our primary aims during the year has been to ensure that providers have been
engaged with the development and roll out of the ESF Skills for Growth programme and
vitally the GM Employ initiative both delivered by The Growth Company.

Click the logos below for detailed information on our work with each organisation throughout
the year

Page 4