1. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 Lifelong Learning Network for Greater Manchester Rick Crowshaw – Development Manager for Progression and Collaborative Partnership

2. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 The Greater Manchester Data

3. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 Population > 2.5 million Comprises 10 Boroughs Nearly 600,000 have no formal educational qualifications 6 of the 10 Boroughs are in the 50 most deprived boroughs in the country Majority of wards have below average proportion of residents with Level 4/5 qualifications – falling to below half the national average in large parts of the conurbation Manchester Headlines

4. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 One of largest HE student populations in Europe > 110,000 students registered at Greater Manchester universities Additionally > 3,500 HE students at Greater Manchester FE colleges 60% of HE entrants in the 10 Boroughs are to local universities – rises to 73% when just take those over 21 Entrants from wards with high deprivation – 90% stay local Manchester Headlines

5. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 What is the GMSA? Established in 2003 - Pre-dates LLNs Alliance of: 6 Greater Manchester HEIs 22 Further Education Colleges 1 WBL Provider Plus Related Organisations e.g. LSC, FdF, Aimhigher, GONW, M:KC, Membership organisation Largest HEFCE LLN by funding (£5.7m) at time

6. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 Rochdale Oldham Tameside Stockport Manchester Trafford Salford Wigan Bolton Bury Ashton 6 th Form College Tameside College Bury College Holy Cross 6 th Form College North Trafford College of FE South Trafford College Hopwood Hall College University Centre Oldham Bolton Community College Myerscough College University of Bolton Centre for Recording Achievement St John Rigby College Wigan & Leigh College Eccles College Pendleton College Salford CollegeUniversity of Salford Aquinas College Cheadle & Marple 6 th Form College Stockport College of Further & Higher Education Manchester Metropolitan University City College Manchester Greater Manchester Aimhigher & Open University of the North West Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce & Manchester Solutions Greater Manchester Open College Network Manchester College of Arts & Technology Manchester Enterprises Manchester: knowledge Capital NHS North West Royal Northern College of Music University of Manchester Xaverian College Also included are: Foundation Degrees Forward NW Government Office North West Greater Manchester Learning & Skills Council North West Development Agency Open University North West GMSA membership by main site location

7. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 GMSAGMSA LLN JISC HLSP NWLLNS Aimhigher FdF LSC / NWDA Understanding the Territory

8. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 OUR VISION To be a vibrant and effective alliance of Greater Manchester universities, colleges and other stakeholders, promoting progression into higher education by adding value through working in partnership.

9. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 Strategic Priorities 2006-2009 Progression routes into and through HE that are relevant & communicated clearly to learners and employers Partnerships between providers of higher level learning programmes and employers / networks Provision that is relevant to current and forecast employment and higher skills needs, and delivered in a way that is accessible to vocational learners

10. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 Research Evaluation & Dissemination Cross Cutting Theme F&PS Creative & DM ICT Construction Regeneration Health & SC Retail / Logist. Land Based Sector Development Groups (SDGs) IAG & Learner Support Progression through Collaborative Working Curriculum Infrastructure New Vocational Learning Core Linked Themes Leadership, Management & Enterprise

11. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 Finance & PS Creative Industries Health & Social Care ICT Sector Development Groups GMSA Management Board GMSA Council Construction/ Built Environment Retail & Logistics Land Based Regeneration Steering Group Champions

12. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 Partner Institutions Engagement at different levels: Council and Steering Group Management Board Champions and Sector Groups

13. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 Guiding Principles Celebrate our diversity Understand and respect each other and each others working cultures –No poor relations – we all offer different but equally valuable contributions to the partnership Play to our strengths Agree areas for collaboration Mutual TRUST and UNDERSTANDING between GM Providers (HEIs, FECs, WBL providers) is critical to our success

14. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 Budget for Sector Development Groups as main delivery vehicle for themes. Funding for SDG lead Membership from HEIs, FECs, Aimhigher, SSCs & WBL Providers Creates a communication forum

15. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 Funding for a post in each member institution, depending on size, to allow allocation of an Institutional Champion.

16. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 Collaborative not competitive! Work together on: Working groups Development activities Appointment panels

17. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 PROGRESSION

18. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 OUR MISSION for PROGRESSION! ‘we would expect LLNs to develop progression agreements that adhere to the following principles: they support learners' legitimate expectation to progress from specific programmes or institutions to other programmes or institutions, and establish the commitment of institutions to meet those expectations they are negotiated to make credit transfer a reality they are developed on a network-wide basis, with all the institutions that form part of the LLN.’ (HEFCE)

19. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 Progression Agreements Development Group produced: ‘Progression Agreement Scheme’ Turning the ‘Scheme’ into reality Communication of concept Quick Guide Website and FAQs Agreement Template pathways2he.co.uk

20. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 Define Learner Constituency Identify Key Feeders and Map to GM HE Provision Agree Target Awards in terms of Numbers Progressing Task Groups Identify Details Final signed Agreement Involve Champions Identify other Needs e.g. new provision

21. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 Understanding the Data

22. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 Understanding the Data

23. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 Understanding the Data

24. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 Understanding the Data Allows identification of meaningful progression opportunities Ability to reach verbal agreement in Sector Development Groups Begin the process of institutional agreement Leading to signed agreement

25. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 Progression Agreement SUBJECT AREA: Built Environment – BTEC National Diploma into HE This Progression Agreement is between: MANCAT Salford College Stockport College Tameside College Wigan and Leigh College University of Bolton University Centre, Oldham University of Salford

26. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 Progression Agreements Completion of ‘sector-wide’ agreements e.g. Built Environment: Potential 250 Level 3 learners – 7 Providers - to 3 HEIs -with up to 30 programmes all with guaranteed interview. ICT: Potential 500 Level 3 learners – 12 Providers – to 4 Receivers with 6 programmes all with guaranteed interview.

27. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 Progression Agreements Development Agreements should become ‘living’ documents Should not appear to restrict options Network-wide Should reflect equal access as A’ levels Publicised through web

28. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 Progression Agreements Issues BarriersExisting Experience Technical Language used Process of gaining approval Partnerships Competition Areas of interest Institutional Committee structures Level of authority required Admissions Understanding of processes Central v. devolved systems Cultural Effects on autonomy Quality/standards Guarantees What can be guaranteed Litigation

29. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 Key Messages Key Messages Recruits not conscripts Involve the institutions at every stage Pilot in staged approach Communication, Communication, Communication!

30. Rick Crowshaw GMSA September 2007 For further information please see our website: www.gmsa.ac.uk