Member Article

New name signals new era for professional body

An influential north east professional body has changed its name and launched a new identity and website to reflect a new era for the organisation.

The Tyne, Wear and Northumberland Association of Learning Providers (TWNALP), which represents 46 training providers, has changed its name to Northumbria Learning Providers.

The new name is one of a number of changes happening within the organisation which works closely with government bodies like the Skills Funding Agency to represent the interests of norh east training providers.

Northumbria Learning Providers has launched a new website and subgroups to drive-up industry quality standards and market the body to non-members that could benefit from the collaborative working it offers.

The group, whose members collectively deliver over 10,000 apprenticeships across the region each year, is the largest of its kind in the north of England. Its members include colleges, private training providers, local authorities and voluntary organisations which all work with businesses to up-skill their workforces and also provide training for the unemployed.

Northumbria Learning Providers offers a direct link with funding bodies so that members can clearly understand and interpret how changes in national further education policy affect them. The network also helps members get ahead by sharing best practice and working together on projects and collectively applying for funding.

Chairman, Malcolm Armstrong, who is also managing director of Access Training, said: “Our previous name was a bit of a mouthful and we wanted a more professional, dynamic identity to reflect how serious we are about ensuring our members gain a competitive edge in an increasingly difficult market. But at the same time we also wanted our new identity to show we are a friendly bunch and very approachable.

“The further education sector falls under the remit of two separate government departments which can create overlap and confusion around the raft of new, complex policies that are emerging all the time. Our members appreciate the peer support we can offer around this.”

Northumbria Learning Providers is a confederation of organisations delivering work based learning to young people and adults in Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland.

Members include the North East Chamber of Commerce, Tyne North Training, Zodiac Training, Springboard, Milltech, Life Skills Centres, Rolls Royce, Tyne Metropolitan College, Northumberland Council, Gateshead Council, MPH UK, ITEC North East, NEETA and BL Hairdressing. For details of all members visit the new website at www.northumbrialp.co.uk

Pic:L-R: Northumbria Learning Providers’ treasurer, Denise Wilson, chairman Malcolm Armstrong and vice chair, Susan Briganti

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jill Farmer (Dobson) .