Who We Are

Progress South Central is the Lifelong Learning Network for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey and focuses on the needs of the learner and the employer, encompasses a breadth of provision and mission within its partner institutions, represents the voices of further and higher education equally; and delivers clear benefits to the region that could not be achieved by individual institutions.

It seeks primarily to:

• address those barriers to progression for vocational learners into and within higher education that might be removed by a better understanding of, and greater responsiveness to the needs of learners and employers, and improved communications and co-operation between institutions in the region.
• support institutions in the region to design and deliver provision which meets the needs of both learners and employers in the context of lifelong learning, through the sharing of effective and innovative practice, the brokering of relationships with regional partners, and the provision of opportunities for development.

We are funded until July 2011 by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).

What kinds of things do we do?

• Funding for curriculum development
• Development of Progression Agreements to support students
• Pre-sessional and bridging courses to support progression
• Events for employers, college and university staff, guidance workers
• Information materials for students and staff
• Mentoring for students
• Staff development

What other organisations do we work with?

• Employers
• Employer organisations including Sector Skills Councils and Chambers of Commerce
• Guidance services including Nextstep and Connexions
• Learning and Skills Councils
• Employment and Skills Boards
• Train to Gain
• Schools
• Local authorities
• SEEDA (South East England Development Agency)
• fdf (foundation degree forward)
• Aimhigher
• National Aprenticeships Service