3. PARTNERSHIP: A BETTER DEAL FOR LEARNERS Main points of the presentation made by Prof. Christine King, Vice Chancellor, Staffordshire University; Chair, Staffordshire Learning Partnership Professor King spoke of the need to move from competition to coherence and remove the barriers posed by multiple funding streams and learners being perceived as commodities in an out-put driven system. The National Context It is important to start with a strong commitment to: recognising the diversity of organisations all working towards the same goal simplifying the picture building on the best of past practice identifying geographical boundaries making change happen. Principles The principles of the Staffordshire Learning Partnership are to: improve information and guidance. Higher quality information is needed showing pathways through each stage, including steps into and through employment increase access, remembering learners' needs, not providers' systems stimulate demand. There are many yet to reach. It is important to put the relevant provision in place at the right time improve the quality of their products and services, helped by the appropriate use of ICT engage those we are 'losing' at present. In Staffordshire, 19 per cent of 16 to 18-year olds are neither in employment nor study. "gaps and duplication [in learning provision] are one of the biggest issues we have to address. We all know how difficult and sensitive this is. But if we can't, as a partnership, do some serious strategic planning which alters the provision we offer individually, we will not succeed." Prof. Christine King Starting Point In beginning life as a Learning Partnership, the Staffordshire group's starting point was to: establish local learning needs - by understanding who our current and potential customers are eliminate duplication and identify and address gaps in provision - this involved open sharing of information and a willingness to address difficult and sensitive issues that might involve releasing resources to other partners pull together different strands of activity on which the different parties lead. We had to be creative and find linkages between different and complementary programmes develop a strategy for marketing opportunities. We had to find ways of badging activities effectively and communicating with one voice. It does not matter to the learner which organisation the offering is from determine the quality and appropriateness of opportunities. Students deserve the best and quality is a big issue. The Challenge How will the Partnership fit into the new and emerging post-16 arrangements? In Staffordshire we believe we have a new job to do that cannot wait.The challenge is to: press on with our task through this period of change find new ways of inter-acting with the newly-created bodies and strategies seek common funding methodologies to help achieve our aims put learners' needs at the heart of all we do. There is also much to do to include the voluntary sector, trade unions, private sector and the community as equal partners. If we can draw together those strands and play to their combined strengths, we will make a difference. The job has to be done now, it won't wait until 2001. If Learning Partnerships did not exist we would have to invent them. "if it is to be, it is up to us". Prof. Christine King