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A strategic framework for Learning Curve for 2005-2007

Introduction

This paper updates the strategic direction of Learning Curve for the next three years. Its purpose is to provide the basis for a shared understanding between trustees and staff as to the purpose of our shared endeavours and a framework for the more detailed business planning that we will do year by year.

Statement of mission and values:
Our current mission and values statement was reviewed in 2003. We believe that the mission statement is still valid and are not proposing any changes.

The Learning Curve Mission Statement:
The Learning Curve aims to be a centre of excellence in:

• Supporting individual and organisational development in the voluntary and community sector.

• Widening access to learning for all our communities.

We aim to achieve this by:

1. Developing, promoting and delivering:

   • Learning and development services for people and organisations in the voluntary and community sector.

   • Innovative and non-traditional approaches to learning - including e-learning - to employers, communities and individuals.

   • Learning for disadvantaged individuals and communities.

2. Developing the capacity of, and providing supportive frameworks for, partners to enable them to contribute to the mission.

Our values are:

• Putting our service users' needs and aspirations at the centre of all we do.

• Promoting equality of opportunity and redressing disadvantages.

• Collaborating and working in partnership with others.

• Adding value by our efforts.

• Being innovative, flexible and responsive.

• Aiming at excellence in all we do.

• Modelling best practice within our organisation and in our dealings with others.

These are our proposed strategic priorities grouped under the main mission headings.

We will continue to be a leader in training and development for the sector and ensure that we can meet all the training needs of the sector, directly or in partnership with others. We will continue to expand our range of programmes and our geographical areas of delivery. We will also ensure the financial viability of our programmes by maximising the income potential through fees while using grants to ensure accessibility.

We will:

• Produce a comprehensive range of training materials and documented training programmes (accredited & non-accredited) for the voluntary and community sector.

• Develop Information, Advice, Guidance and Training Brokerage services - particularly for those employed or volunteering in the voluntary and community sector.

• Offer a full range of both fee-based and subsidised learning and development opportunities for the sector according to need and availability of funding.

• Establish collaborative relationships with other partner organisations, particularly infrastructure organisations

2. Developing, promoting and delivering innovative and non-traditional approaches to learning - including e-learning - to employers, communities and individuals

We will develop flexible and e-learning opportunities for the wider community including employers, particularly where this generates revenue or enhances our capacity for providing training to the voluntary and community sector. We will:

• Diversify and expand the Learndirect customer base .

• Widen our delivery of e-learning to the voluntary sector.

• Promote and support the embedding of basic skills in voluntary sector learning and service delivery.

3. Developing, promoting and delivering learning for disadvantaged individuals and communities

We will work with others to ensure the availability of appropriate and accessible learning for disadvantaged individuals and communities. We will deliver learning directly to disadvantaged groups and individuals where we can make a positive contribution. We will:

• Develop specialist expertise in voluntary sector led community-based learning.

• Provide information and advice on community-based learning.

• Support the LSC and other partners in identifying and meeting the learning needs of disadvantaged communities.

• Develop and promote progression from first-steps learning to accredited learning

• Provide basic skills learning to disadvantaged communities.

• Provide accessible IT and related learning in the community.

We will continue to develop our support for partners to provide community-based learning through the Learning Curve Network. We will work with other partners at a regional level to support the development of regional and sub-regional learning networks. We will continue to build partnerships with other infrastructure organisations. We will:

• Continue to work closely with CVSs and other partner infrastructure organisations in Wiltshire & Swindon.

• Build partnerships with infrastructure organisations in other regional and sub-regional areas in which we operate.

• Grow the range and amount of mainstream and project funding available to Learning Curve Network members.

• Provide specialist services to Learning Network members such as specialist staff, accreditation, MIS and admin, quality, CRB checks etc.

In addition, there are a number of cross-organisational strategic priorities, these relate to ensuring that the organisation works efficiently and effectively and is on a sound financial footing:

• We will make sure that we have well-trained and appropriately skilled staff.

• We will maximise the potential for using staff skills and expertise to generate income and provide quality services.

• We will develop training facilities around the sub-region, in partnership with others as appropriate.

• We will investigate the possibility of acquiring premises on a rent-to-buy basis or similar.

• We will ensure that we have appropriate policies and procedures in place for the whole organisation and that we meet all relevant external quality standards.

• We will develop a diverse funding portfolio and meet the target for unrestricted reserves.

Trustees are asked to consider these recommendations for the Learning Curve strategic framework.

This will then form the basis of the annual business plans. The plan for 2005 will be submitted to Trustees at the September meeting.

Tim Ward
May 2004