The Western Training Provider Network was formally established as a company in 2004 to enable training and education providers in the West of England to meet regularly to share opportunities, best practice, collaborate and build relationships as a Network with the regions key stakeholders. 

​

The majority of our members deliver a broad range of training and education programmes including Post 16 courses (A levels, vocational courses), Apprenticeships, Foundation Learning, Traineeships, short funded courses, Higher Education and commercial training. However, membership also includes local third sector organisations and is available to other organisations who support those that deliver training and education.

​

The purpose of the WTPN is:

• To provide a single, credible organisation to represent and promote high quality, accessible education and training for the benefit of learners and employers in the West of England area.

• To support providers who are delivering education and training programmes in response to employers’ and learner needs, to help them deliver and improve quality

• To enable members to network, share best practice, tools and resources amongst WTPN members so that efficiency gains are achieved and a more joined up approach is delivered.

• To ensure, through partnership, that learners in the West of England area are given equal opportunity to participate, progress and achieve within high quality FE/HE centre based and Work-based Learning/Work-related Learning, based on an informed choice.

• To ensure through collaboration, information and advice, that young people leaving school have awareness of the full range of career and education options open to them to ensure effective transition to further skills, qualifications and career opportunities

• To develop the regions Apprenticeship offer, improve quality, align it with employer needs and achieve growth in the number of applicants and employers taking up this option for employment and existing staff development 

 

Members meet quarterly to network and form partnerships, discuss quality and funding opportunities, invite local and National speakers in that can improve systems and delivery and share best practice. The Network wins bids and then manages members to collaborate and deliver a range of Govt initiatives such as Skills fairs and careers events, education of the Prevent agenda etc.

​

The network runs workshops for members to develop best practice and runs an information dissemination email system and newsletter to ensure the network is kept up to date with the latest news and initiatives.

​

​

​

​

Members of the WTPN board also represent the network on the following key regional groups:

• LEP Skills Board

• LEP Employability Group

• NEET Operational Group – Bristol CC

• Banes and S.Glos Skills groups

• LEP Devolution of Skills – Operational Group

• LEP Apprenticeship Provider Group

• Bristol CC Learning City – Lfw Strategic Group (PEBL, The Works, Education and Capital Strategy, Employment & Skills Strategy)

• Bristol and Regional CEIAG best practice working group

 

Our associate partners are the following regional organisations:

• The West of England Local Enterprise Partnership

• Business West (Skills West)

• Bristol City Council

• North Somerset Council

• Bath and North East Council

• South Gloucs Council

 

If you would like to contact the network and discuss membership or have any other questions, please get in touch with

Alex Richards, WTPN Operations Director, by contacting here.

​

​