Member Article

North East Business Link network contract: CORRECTION

Yesterday we ran a story in which we indicated that the Business Link network in the North East is going to be managed by regional development agency One NorthEast and the Learning and Skills Council. In fact, it was the tender process for this £30m contract which was managed by the RDA and the LSC. The contract itself will be managed by the chosen bidder - an organisation called the Coalition of Ambition. This is comprised of the three existing Business Link franchise holders – Business Link for Northumberland, Business Link Tees Valley and Business Link Tyne and Wear, working together with the North East Chamber of Commerce. The Coalition for Ambition, chaired by Paul Callaghan, will manage the five-year Business Link contract from April 2007 to March 2012. It will also be responsible for the regional Skills Brokerage Service, delivered under the Train to Gain brand.The remainder of 2006 and the start of 2007 will represent a transitional period. The regional Train to Gain service will be in place by August 2006, with the new Business Support Service starting by April 2007.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .