Welcome to the Northern Skills Network

“To contribute to the improvement of education & skills across the North of England through advocacy, engagement and action”

The Northern Skills Network 2023 Event Calendar

Purpose and Objectives

“To contribute to the improvement of education & skills across the north of England through advocacy, engagement and action.”

About NSN

The NSN is a company limited by guarantee which is owned by its members on behalf of the nine provider networks spread across the north of England.

 The company’s primary purpose is to promote & represent the interests of its member networks. In addition, the company aims to ultimately be a single voice for skills across the North of England.

The Northern Skills Network Ltd (NSN) is a not-for-profit organisation and Its aim is to represent training and education providers from all persuasions across the north of England and promote the value of vocational and technical education, especially apprenticeships, to employers and other important stakeholders. Its members consist the nine providers networks across the north including: North East, Tees Valley, Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Greater Merseyside, West Yorkshire, Sheffield City Region and Cheshire and Warrington.

 In all NSN represents over 300 providers, ranging from FE Colleges, Independent training Providers, Universities, Local Authorities and 3rd sector charitable organisations.

 As the name implies, NSN is both aligned to and supports the Northern Powerhouse agenda and is passionate, through its members, to play its part in increasing the productivity and prosperity of the north through increasing the skill levels of both young people entering work for the first time and existing employees within the workforce.

The Northern Skills Network key priorities

NSN needs to be able to demonstrate the significance of and impact that its member networks have within the skills marketplace e.g. number of providers, number of learners engaged with, number of apprentices trained etc.

Collectively NSN needs to raise its visibility and presence (regionally and sub-regionally) through having a clear message with a distinctive vision, mission and brand (the ‘offer’) that aligns with and supports the government’s NP strategy.

Communicate NSN members’ key role in helping deliver the aspirations of both the LEP’s and NP’s emerging industrial strategy.

Put the case for greater investment (the ‘ask’) into member networks, in order to ensure that the NP retains a responsive, vibrant, and high-quality FE & Skills supply chain.adipiscing elit. 

8 Networks, 1 Agenda

To enhance the skills system across the north of England

Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network

Yorkshire Learning Providers

Greater Merseyside Learning Providers Federation

Lancashire Work Based Learning Forum

North East Learning Providers

South Yorkshire Provider Network

Cumbria Work Based Learning Provider

Cheshire and Warrington Network

For any enquiries please email

chair@northernskillsnetwork.co.uk