This is a very special web site because it represents the first Centre of Vocational Excellence for those working in the area of Mental Health and / or Learning Disabilities. Please contact us if you have any comments or suggestions or would like to be involved in the work.

What is the Centre of Vocational Excellence?

The Learning and Skills Council identified a real need for quality training in the area of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities within Hampshire and The Isle of Wight. As a result they invited specific colleges and training providers to become involved and demonstrate why they felt they would be able to become a Centre of Vocational Excellence.

The underpinning aims were to bring together colleges and training providers who already had productive and effective relationships with Employers and were able to demonstrate that they had sound success rates and were innovative in what they did. Becoming a Centre of Vocational Excellence means that the colleges and training providers can develop the work they already do and be innovative. Strong links with employers, voluntary agencies, statutory bodies and other colleges and providers are an essential component of being a Centre of Vocational Excellence. The CoVE is all about meeting the needs of employers and employees and sharing good practice.

The LSC supports the work of the CoVE at all stages by providing financial advice. They also act as a bridge between the CoVE and other agencies.

So what are the real aims of this CoVE?

The focus of the partners, as brought together by the LSC is as follows:

• to increase the supply and choice of good quality learning to meet the significant lack of specialised training available at level 2 and 3 in this sector.
• to assist employers to meet the demands of the care standards act and work towards qualifying 50% of the workforce
• to provide innovative and flexible ways of delivering training
• to disseminate good practice to other partners and trainers
• to increase skill levels in the sector (80% of employees have no qualifications). The sector includes statutory independent, voluntary, community and SME organisations. (30% of these employ less than 5 people).
• the CoVE will work with organisations to provide tailored opportunities to provide training to the voluntary sector. (it is estimated that a third of care for this sector will be delivered by volunteers over the next 10 years).
• to support the successful implementation of the Carers (equal opportunities) Act 2004 which wishes to support carers who work with those with the mental health and / or learning difficulties.
• Local Labour market intelligence indicates that there are at least 2,500 carers in this specialised area that require training.
• Nationally there is an estimated 10,000 shortfall in recruits in the mental health sector.
• The CoVE will train carers working with learning disabilities and mental health clients aged 9 years and upwards.

Who is involved in the CoVE?

There are 3 partners:

South Downs College (Lead partner) ~ Ann Gorecki
Rainer City Training Solent ~ Jacqui Lawrence
Totton College ~ Rosemary Gregory

Each partner brings specific strengths to the CoVE and are working closely together to meet the aims listed above.

For further information about the CoVE and the courses that we offer, contact Ann Gorecki CoVEs Manager:

02392 797979 Ext 425