Education and training services

Tender description

The Education and Training Foundation have awarded a contract for the first year of a 3-year governance development framework. The DfE funded Governance Development Framework (GDF) aimed to develop the skills of both new and existing board members and, where appropriate, clerks/company secretaries in Further Education and Sixth Form Colleges. Some elements were also applicable to other types of FE provider. The GDF provided a structured yet flexible approach to learning for board members and clerks/company secretaries either as they began their roles or for experienced members of governing bodies and governance professionals to develop to become more specialised and add substantial value to the organisations and students which they serve. A contract has been awarded for a governance development programme. Aims of the governance development framework include: — providing a comprehensive and structured approach to board member induction and their ongoing development, — ensuring board members are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to fulfil their responsibilities, — ensuring clerks/company secretaries are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide high quality support for governance to their organisation, — developing the necessary skills and behaviours so that boards operate effectively, and board members can provide support and challenge to senior leaders and the wider organisation, — supporting board members to draw on their previous experience to add value to the wider board, — providing a diagnostic assessment, utilising a skills audit, for board members to build relevant learning plans. An essential element of this programme focussed on creating a highly engaging and high impact programme. Whilst there was a high level of content to be covered, consideration was given to how the content was presented in a meaningful, engaging and accessible way.