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NELP hits record membership in face of funding cuts

North East Learning Providers (NELP), a confederation of training providers delivering work based learning, has welcomed a record sixtieth member as the organisation grows to combat restrictive funding cuts affecting the sector.

Aspire-igen, which provides careers guidance, employability skills and training in Northumberland and throughout Yorkshire and the Humber, decided to join the network to take advantage of its relationships with funding agencies and to benefit from the training courses it offers.

Claire Parry, delivery manager at aspire-igen, explains: “Although we are very well connected in Northumberland, I was looking to get involved in a group that brings together training providers on a regional level.

“One of the main advantages for us being part of NELP is the information sharing. We all have access to the policies from the funding agencies but being able to discuss them with peers is incredibly useful. Being part of NELP makes all the information that has potential to impact on our organisation, more digestable.

“Also, being able to meet directly with funders, like the Education Funding Agency, through NELP means we can hear about any new developments, straight from the horse’s mouth. If we have any questions, we can usually get answers there and then.

“The training NELP offers was also a big incentive to join. My team are booked on to the upcoming safeguarding training.”

Executive officer at NELP, David Baker, wxplained: “Our membership level is the highest it’s ever been. We now have 60 training providers who all pull together for the benefit of the training sector in the north east and their own organisations. With the training and skills sector being such a changeable landscape right now and facing significant funding cuts, it’s more relevant than ever to be part of a network like ours.”

Members include independent training providers, colleges, employers, local authorities and voluntary organisations that operate within Northumberland, North Tyneside, Newcastle, Gateshead, Durham, Sunderland and South Tyneside. It aims to promote, represent and support its members and the training sector as a whole.

NELP works closely with the training sector’s funding bodies including the Skills Funding Agency and the National Apprenticeship Service. Its members deliver vocational training for hundreds of employers and thousands of learners throughout the north east region.

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