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Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVE)
CoVE networks - Specialist Development Groups
The LSN are facilitating Specialist Development Groups (SDGs) on behalf of the LSC. SDGs are for CoVE providers who will be invited to the groups once they are accepted onto the programme.
The reports on the work of the SDGs can be accessed through the following links:
SDG Groups in 2005 - 2006 are:
Table 1: Specialist Development Groups (SDGs) in 2005 - 2006
| Specialist Development Groups (SDGs) |
| Business and Management |
| Catering |
| Childcare |
| Construction Building Services |
| Construction Crafts |
| Creative Industries |
| Engineering Group 1 |
| Engineering Group 2 |
| Financial Services |
| Food Technology |
| Hair and Beauty Therapy |
| Health and Care |
| ICT |
| Land-based |
| Logistics |
| Retail |
| Sport and Leisure |
| Tourism |
The overall aims and objectives for these groups are given below but within this framework each group will determine the main focus for their activities for the year.
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Aims and Objectives 2005-2006
CoVE Specialist Development Groups (SDGs) will continue with support from LSN funded by their contract with the LSC. SDG groups are for CoVE centres but all CoVEs are expected to involve other providers delivering in their specialist areas. This may be done nationally or regionally and we would expect different models to develop which are appropriate for the specialist areas and which can contribute to our knowledge and understanding of good practice.
CoVEs will have received information about the dates for these meetings and, before each meeting, the named contact will receive registration documents. The main contact for each CoVE is responsible for passing on registration information to other partners in the CoVE. If CoVEs have not received this information they should contact us.
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Regional Work
For the past two years the LSN has facilitated Regional Networks on behalf of the LSC. Regional Networks were for ALL providers and drew on the expertise of CoVEs and other providers to facilitate development work on key themes including employer engagement, staff training and upskilling, progression and on aspects of the delivery of level 3 skills in identified vocational areas. In 2003 – 2004 three workshops were held in each of the nine English regions.
For 2004 – 2005 money was delegated by national LSC to the regions with the aim of tailoring the CoVE dissemination to best meet the regional needs. Therefore, LSDA were not responsible for planning and organising the regional networks but were available for LSC regions to use if they preferred. Three regions did use LSDA to plan and facilitate activities.
The West Midlands region decided that a series of one-to-one mentoring programmes would best meet their regional needs. This mentoring programme was open to CoVEs and non-CoVEs. A copy of the 
report can be accessed here.
In the South West CoVEs and non-CoVEs worked with the Sector Skills Councils and the LSC in the region to identify ways of implementing their Sector Skills Agreements, and a group of CoVEs participated in group mentoring around subjects relevant to the region.
In the North East Construction CoVEs and providers are working with employers, the Regional Development Agency, LSC and the Sector Skills Council to create a one-stop shop ensuring there is adequacy and sufficiency of construction and built environment level 3 provision across the region.
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The CoVE Network at March 2006
The CoVE network can be viewed by:
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