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NORTHWEST BUSINESS LINK. Peter Redford Northwest Business Link. Review of Business Link Services. Responsibility for BL devolved April 2005 Opportunity to improve alignment to RES Introduction of new national service definition in October 2005 Information, Diagnosis and Brokerage
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NORTHWEST BUSINESS LINK Peter Redford Northwest Business Link
Review of Business Link Services • Responsibility for BL devolved April 2005 • Opportunity to improve alignment to RES • Introduction of new national service definition in October 2005 • Information, Diagnosis and Brokerage • Key changes to old business model
Purpose of the Change • Address Business Link market position: • lack of awareness/understanding • confusion about service offering • Clarify role of Business Link: • Independence of brokerage service and service/product split • Consistency of core service across the region • Increase resources directed to front line service delivery • Improve efficiency and interaction, increased role for private sector partners
NW Business Link Service SERVICE PRINCIPLES - Customer focus - Primary access point for integrated brokerage - Provide a free service with no charging or product/service delivery - Provide an impartial and independent service - Focus on IDB only and broker to public and private sector suppliers - Deliver a consistent, high quality, proactive service
Train to Gain Brokerage Service • Two types of service available to customers. • ONA undertaken – Identifies skills gaps • Fully brokered service - no delivery. • Providers - Contracted by the LSC, public and private sector • Focus on RES Sectors and ‘Hard to Reach’ employers • Funded, partly funded and full cost training provision
Train to Gain ServiceOperation Large organisations +5,000 Employees National Employer Service Train to Gain Universal Service (L1) Targeted Service (L2) c 3,000 businesses Reactive service Proactive service All businesses up to 4,999 employees RES priority sectors and growth organisations All levels of training needs Hard to reach employers Proactive delivery In depth face to face ONA anddiagnostic Ongoing relationship management Re-engagement with the skills agenda • Front line delivery • Web, email, phone • Light touch diagnostic and brokerage • Problem solved at first contact or hand over to targeted service
RES Priority Sectors • Biomedical • Food and Drink • Advanced Engineering • Energy and Environmental • Digital and Creative • Finance & Professional • Plus – Growth Companies key to Sub Regions
Key Changes • Consistent regional service • RES sector focus – specialist expertise • Highly responsive • Service available seven days a week and early evening • Significant investment in knowledge platform • Streamlined service – focus on front line service delivery
Summary • Clear direction for future service • BL position strengthened – Gateway to Business Support and skills • Focus on satisfying customer needs • Significant increase in economic payback for the Service • Business Link operated on business-led principles and organisation basis