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1. Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network
The Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network (GMLPN) is a community of colleges and private
training providers established to represent its Members’ interests and work on behalf of those skills
providers. The network is growing with almost 80 members working with thousands of employers
and educating tens of thousands of learners.
Our combined College and Skills Providers are delivering over £1b of skills and training activity.
The Network’s ambition is to secure a more effective alignment of the skills system to support
Greater Manchester’s economic opportunities, as well as the demands and needs of employers,
individuals and communities. In achieving this ambition we are committed to working alongside
colleges and skills providers to raise the overall capacity, capability and responsiveness of the skills
system in Greater Manchester. By doing this we aim to enhance the positive contribution which
skills are making to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.
We also seek to add value by seizing commercial opportunities on behalf of our collective
membership. The Board and the GMPLN team have negotiated several agreements which bring cost
saving and other benefits to the advantage of our members.
In addition to colleges and skills providers we work with the Local Enterprise Partnership and its sub-
group the Skills and Employment Partnership and with local authorities and the New Economy. In
partnership with the Chamber of Commerce we have recently launched the Skills Gateway Service.
This joint venture is designed to promote the benefits of investing in skills to employers and to make
it easier for businesses to find the right solution to their skill needs.
GMLPN are involved in delivering a number of projects which are designed to support us in achieving
our objectives. To do this we have secured funding from several sources including ESF and the
Greater Manchester City Deal. These projects together form a programme of activity and a platform
to influence the development and implementation of skills policies across the national and Greater
Manchester skills arena.
The activities are specifically designed to increase the number of learners, raise the overall standard
and level of skills and to promote collaboration and joint working amongst training providers so that
the skills system delivers better outcomes for young people, adults and employers.
If you wish to obtain further information about GMLPN:
Andy Fawcett or Anne Gornall
E-mail: andy.f@gmlpn.co.uk anne.g@gmlpn.co.uk
Tel: 07801 927629 07909 612946
Richard Nash – Development Manager
E-mail: Richard.n@gmlpn.co.uk
Tel: 07787 291982

2. The Provider Development Programme (Impact)
The Provider Development Programme is a programme of support and capacity building for skills
providers to position themselves in the fast developing employer–led skills system. The programme
will enable providers to:
 more effectively create demand from employers for skills
 more effectively meet this demand
 develop an approach that demonstrates the IMPACT of an employer’s investment in
learning.
The programme is funded under the current ESF Skills Support for the Workforce (SSfW) programme
and the providers delivering that programme, led by The Manchester College, are the priority group.
The premise of this programme is that key staff within the provider/college base need to be
professionalised when it comes to meeting the needs of their clients – their employers and the
workforce. In short, we need 2 things to make this happen:
1. Providers/colleges need to view employers as their customers. We need to have a whole
organisational approach to this, which means an initial needs analysis focussing on all
aspects of the business but specifically on where staff development across senior
management, middle management, sales, delivery and administration might be beneficial.
2. We need employers to understand that investment in skills has a commercial value – a
Return on Investment. Through this programme we can support providers/colleges to be
confident and able to demonstrate the Return on Investment of their products/solutions.
Feedback from providers thus far has been that we are targeting the right area of need.
The process in brief:
1. Key people within providers and colleges receive a presentation on the concept of the
programme.
2. An initial assessment/self-assessment is undertaken with key staff to identify areas of need,
in relation to how that provider/college meets the needs of employers and the workforce
3. A needs analysis is produced to identify where a provider currently is on the path to
providing an exemplar professional service to employers and the workforce, with the
necessary underpinning infrastructure.
4. A bespoke proposal of support is produced within 2 weeks outlining how we can support a
provider/college needs to become an exemplar/professional organisation. This will include
master-classes, workshops, team development and coaching.
5. The broad areas of tailored support include e.g.
 Developing an employer engagement strategy
 Enhancing the curriculum to meet the needs of employers
 Developing an employer led sales and marketing strategy
If you wish to obtain further information concerning the project please contact :
Richard Nash – Development Manager
E-mail : Richard.n@gmlpn.co.uk
Tel: 07787 291982

3. Greater Manchester Skills Gateway Service
The Skills Gateway Service is collaboration between the GM Chamber of Commerce and GMLPN. It
will link investment in skills to business growth; employers will be the driving force. A Media
Campaign to promote and grow the market demand for an upskilled workforce will be
complemented by a transparent and independent referral service for employers who are seeking
information on training available to them in their sector and location.
The term ‘Gateway’ is an overarching term for the 3 elements:
• An employer entry point
• Access to the Skills Catalogue, a comprehensive database of information on training courses,
eligibility and costing - via skills advisors
• Media promotion to grow the market.
The Skills Gateway offers potential business opportunities to providers by linking them to employer
demand and employer information as well as generic skills marketing.
It offers employers a route to communicate demand for skills and an effective means of meeting
their skills needs for their workforce. The media campaign will drive employers to the Gateway
which will increase the training offer in GM, which will raise the number and standard of qualified
employees in GM – an upskilled workforce will increase the productivity of GM business, in turn
leading to economic growth.
The data gained from employers and training providers will inform the Skills Catalogue, ultimately
identifying best practice and any potential skills gap, enabling direct influence in product
development.
The media campaign will sow the idea of Return on Investment in human capital; demonstrate
success by case studies, facts and figures, employer endorsement; introduce dialogue around the
various reports produced evidencing the need for a skilled workforce in GM.
If you wish to obtain further information of the GM Skills Gateway Service Contacts:
Operations Manager - Angie Took
E-mail: Angie.took@gmskillsgateway.co.uk
Tel: 0161 817 5007

4. The Greater Manchester Employer and Employee Ambassador Programme –
Who best to raise awareness of the benefits of investing in skills to employers and potential learners
than employers and learners themselves?
GMLPN will identify employers and adult learner ambassadors and support them to deliver key
messages on the advantages, the Return on Investment, of skills for organisations and individuals.
The aim is to get employers and adult learners hungry for skills and help stimulate the market. This
is essential for the long term productivity of the Greater Manchester economy. We know from
research conducted over the previous years that the principle reason for the economic productivity
gap between Greater Manchester and other significant conurbations across the country is a lack of
skills.
One solution to help tackle this is to encourage and support existing employers and adult learners to
present to their peers. Moreover, we facilitate and give them the opportunity to present at
employer forums, employer workplaces, employment fairs etc.
The GMLPN has a similar Apprenticeship Ambassador scheme.
The process in brief…
1. The GMLPN identifies suitable employer and adult learner ambassadors
2. The GMLPN responsibility is to support these individuals by ensuring that they are a) giving
the same consistent message during their presentations and b) able to integrate and
articulate their own personal experiences. This will typically consist of outlining the benefits
experienced by both the employer and the adult learner, and identifying and promoting the
positive impact of training on the business.
3. The GMLPN will coordinate opportunities for Ambassador Presentations.
4. Materials and resources will be provided to the Ambassadors at events.
If you wish to obtain further information or are seeking to become an ambassador please contact:
John Doris - Project Manager
E-mail: john.d@gmlpn.co.uk
Tel: 07738 621743
Steph Hodgson – Project Co-ordinator
E-mail: stephanie.h@gmlpn.co.uk
Tel: 07738 621735

5. The Greater Manchester Apprenticeship Ambassador Programme
The concept in brief:
The concept here is simple… who better to sell our Apprenticeships than apprentices?
Our ultimate aim is to get more young people, schools and parents to know about and understand
Apprenticeships. Young people say to us on a regular basis that they were never aware of
Apprenticeships; that they were not told about the opportunities by their school, teachers or
parents. There is a significant drive in Greater Manchester to improve the level of access to
information about Apprenticeships and the Apprenticeship Ambassador scheme is the programme
that is spearheading this drive.
Rather than have representatives of the skills sector presenting about the value of Apprenticeships,
we are supporting current or recently qualified apprentices to present to those who are still in
school. Moreover, we facilitate and give them the opportunity to present to schools, teachers and
parents.
The process in brief…
1. The GMLPN identifies suitable candidates who are either current or recently qualified
apprentices;
2. The GMLPN trains these individuals to make sure that they are a) giving the same consistent
message and b) are able to integrate their own personal experiences – this will typically
consist of outlining what an Apprenticeship is and the benefits experienced by the young
person and their employer;
3. The GMLPN will coordinate opportunities for Ambassador presentations;
4. Materials and resources will be provided to the Ambassadors at events;
If you wish to obtain further information about the Apprenticeship Ambassador Programme
please contact:
Matt Leigh – Programme Manager
E-mail: matthew.l@gmlpn.co.uk
Tel: 07530 075650
Steph Hodgson – Project Co-ordinator
E-mail: Stephanie.h@gmlpn.co.uk
Tel: 07738 621735

6. Have A Go Project
The aim of the Skills Show Experience is to deliver a series of high profile local skills events for 14-25
year olds through a partnership based approach involving, providers, schools, employers, key
partners and supported by independent careers advice, delivered by the National Careers Service
(NCS) that raises the profile of vocational learning and careers including apprenticeships.
The events aim to replicate the Have a Go elements of the national Skills Show by organising local
events. A wide range of activities take place with those attending given the opportunity to try their
hand (and mind) at a number of activities which replicate real occupations. These exciting activities
which embrace everything from manufacturing & robotics to the medical and service sectors are
designed to inspire young people, parents, schools and teachers by giving attendees practical hands
on experience of vocational skills.
GMLPN is responsible for the quality of the Have a Go activities; ensuring branding and
communications guidelines are adhered to; working with Local Authorities and schools to maximise
attendance and also administering the overall budget and project administration.
During 2014 the project will deliver eight major events, each one, supported by a range of skills
providers, colleges, schools, local authorities and careers specialists. Employers are also actively
involved. Each of those events is planned to attract over 800 young people and parents.
In addition we will also be delivering twenty smaller events across Greater Manchester.
If you wish to obtain further information about the Have a Go programme please contact:
Matt Leigh – Programme Manager
E-mail: matthew.l@gmlpn.co.uk
Tel: 07530 075650
Carol Garton – Project Co-ordinator
E-mail: carol.g@gmlpn.co.uk
Tel: 07854 726690

7. Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network Partnership with Pearson Work Based Learning
The GMLPN has, on behalf of members negotiated a number of commercial agreements.
Recognising that awarding body fees are a very significant area of expenditure the network was
delighted to enter into an agreement with Pearson.
Our arrangement with Pearson offers significant cost savings of up to 25% on Pearson qualifications
and resources.
Key Account Support
In addition Pearson, through their key account customer support service, offer an enhanced added
value that brings greater efficiency, improved services and improved quality outcomes and success
rates to GMLPN members.
Sector intelligence…
Network members also have access to unparalleled intelligence on skills policy, direction of travel for
our sector, labour market intelligence, tools and resources. Pearson also provide a range of bespoke
events covering issues such as administration, quality assurance and the introduction of new or
revised qualifications/standards.
Demonstrating the value of skills and learning…
More than this, it is undoubtedly true that Pearson is a significant player in the skills arena and they
are actively involved in supporting the efforts of the GMLPN to reduce the Greater Manchester
productivity gap by increasing the level and added value of skills provision across Greater
Manchester.
The GMLPN is delighted to be working with Pearson because we share the same ethos of recognising
the contribution of learning and skills to business, individuals and the economy. Here is a video of
what Pearson does http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WKjlDxeaEQ
Celebrating success…
This was demonstrated with Pearson’s headline sponsorship and support of the inaugural Greater
Manchester Skills for Business Awards held on the 3rd
July 2014, the flagship event for our sector in
Greater Manchester. For more information visit www.skillsforbusinessawards.co.uk.
Get involved…
If you want to hear more about our relationship with Pearson and would like to be involved, please
contact Richard Nash, Network Manager on 07787 291 982 / Richard.n@gmlpn.co.uk

8. Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network Partnership with Office Depot
Tangible cost savings…
The GMLPN and its members have significant buying power and we have utilised this strength to
build a relationship with Office Depot. Under our agreement with Office Depot savings of 15-30%
have been made on the cost of office products and business solutions.
What our members are saying…
“We did a full cost analysis of our top 20 ordered items in comparison to the 2 stationery providers
that we use and found that we would get a 39% saving with Office Depot. This amazed us as we had
been using local suppliers for a long time and had spent a long time negotiating the prices down by
playing suppliers off each other – so we thought we had a great deal. Add to that the online ordering
system, quick delivery and range of products…Office Depot blew other suppliers out of the water.”
Carl Johnson, GMLPN member.
Key account support…
Through Office Depot’s key account customer support, you will have unparalleled levels of support
to help you make the right decision when it comes to choosing office products, furniture, supplies
etc.
Get involved…
If you want to hear more about our relationship with Office Depot and would like to be involved,
please contact Richard Nash, Network Manager on 07787 291 982 / Richard.n@gmlpn.co.uk