Do Steering Groups Work? Dr Caroline Sudworth Science and Higher Education Manager

1. Do Steering Groups Work?Dr Caroline SudworthScience and Higher Education Manager Cogent SSC Ltd

2. The Positive Side….. The Structure and Pre-Meeting Organisation • Small numbers and employer led • 3x employers, 1x Stakeholder, 3x HE staff, 1x NWUA • The agenda (and timing of the meeting) were agreed well in advance and kept to a regular interval • 2 hrs over lunchtime • Additional employer meetings were also held in between the Steering group meetings at their premises At the Steering Group Meeting…. • Used to go through the “Product” • Active feedback sought there and then • Clear informed discussions were used to provide project direction • HE administrative issues were minimised • Expectations for project were summarised for next meeting

3. The Positive Side….. Follow up • The minutes were sent out within the week • Follow up meetings with the employers were used to take forward the “nitty gritty” of the product • The product was trialled a number of ways Marketing the product • Through the steering group within the employer members • With the stakeholder for wider regional and national distribution • Clear and concise – useable information for other employers • What is included – concise information to lead to supporting website and a HE contact email • Cost • Delivery

4. What did the Steering Group Members Say? • HE Perspective • Employer Perspective • Stakeholder Perspective

5. HE Views • The choice of Industrial Partners was crucial to the success: No conflict of interest • Regular dialogue and good communication links established with members • MMU team made several site visits to the Industrial Partners • The format/agenda of the SGMs were kept simple, i.e. • progress made • future planning (short-term and long-term) • the meetings were always arranged well in advance running in the middle of the day for a maximum of 2 hours (over a working buffet lunch) • In addition, the “nitty gritty” of the quarterly claims including quite a bit of bureaucracy etc. was kept completely separate • Separate progress meetings were held (between the Academic Lead and the NWUA Advisor) to discuss these matters • No dominant individuals • A pleasure to work as a member of this Steering Group - Michael Cole, MMU • The choice and level of engagement of the partner organisations • Obvious commitment to the project from all parties - Paul Schofield, MMU

6. Employer Views • Contacts were already well known to the university • Not too demanding in time for the company representatives (I linked the meetings to other business in Manchester) • The university quickly focused on learning areas that were of benefit to (most of) the companies • There weren't any strong personalities that dominated the meetings - John Wilcox, Technical Talent Development Manager, Exova • Good communication and open discussion • Atmosphere was friendly, and everyone participated • It helped that we had already worked with the university and knew the team • The steering group was essential, as it led us to what courses were wanted and what the content should be • Without the steering group the HLSP Project would not have worked - Neil Donoon, EDF Energy • The timings and frequency of the meetings were good • We didn't get bogged down in the fine details which I have seen in other Steering groups • We focussed on the issues and questions that actually need sorting - Jane Ghosh, Hanson Cement

7. Stakeholder Views • Well organised, in advance, and at a convenient time • Relaxed and welcoming atmosphere • The product was always shown via the web portal that employers would use • Marketing and dissemination to wider audience discussed once the product was in a form ready to go live – points taken on board by HE partners and there is follow up work planned • Administrative burden kept away from employers – they need to know how it will work for them only, not how the HE administration system works! - Caroline Sudworth, Cogent SSC • The meetings were relaxed and welcoming and you felt you were able to express your opinions • Membership was quite small in comparison to others and by nature ensured that no group member was overlooked • Members were actively engaged with the pilot exercises and had access to the online resource • Meetings were dynamic in terms of the project team demonstrated the development of the provision on screen - Charlie Ellis, NWUA

8. In summary… • It was demonstrated that you don’t need a large steering group for discussions to be productive • Build on well established employer links • Strong personalities – be wary! • Focus on the product • Leave the administrative burdens to one side • I liked the buffet lunch! • A very positive experience…..