The Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) programme was launched in 2001 and set out to improve radically the capacity of the FE sector to deliver specialist work-based learning.
In 2005 the Agenda for Change document outlined how, in order to increase employer investment in workforce development through FE, the next stage of the specialist provider programme would be to focus on employer responsiveness through the introduction of the Quality Mark for employers. In 2006 the FE reform white paper recommended that the Quality Mark development be combined with the re-accreditation of the CoVE programme to create a "new standard" for employer responsiveness and vocational excellence.This "new standard" was developed throughout 2006, in conjunction with employers and sector skills councils. The development work was completed in early 2007 and the new standard was available from June 2007.
Colleges on Greater Merseyside are involved in the following CoVEs:| Title of COVE
|
Lead Organisation
|
Partner Organisations
|
| Automotive Manufacturing
|
Partnership for Learning
|
Blackpool and Fylde College,
Riverside College Halton, St Helens College, West Cheshire College
and Total People Ltd.
|
| Health and Social Care
|
Wirral Metropolitan College
|
Southport College and Alder
Training
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| Performing Arts & Event
Production Industry
|
Knowsley Community College
|
Liverpool Community College
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| Retail
|
Touchstone Learning &
Skills Ltd
|
City College Manchester,
General Physics Ltd and Liverpool Community College
|