NSN Members

The Northern Skills network is a partnership of 8 local networks across the North of England. 

Collectively we represent and support over 300 training organisations and sector stakeholders including –

Independent training providers

Colleges (General & 6th Form)

Universities

Community Learning & charities

Local Authorities

Careers Services

Awarding Organisations

Our combined ESFA allocation (based on 18/19 stats) is over £800million across the North & Our aim is to ensure our network members are supported to deliver a high-quality skills system in the North of England. 

The Northern networks include...

Greater Merseyside Learning Providers Federation (GMLPF) is a non-profit organisation that champions and supports nearly 70 Merseyside skills and education providers.

GMLPF is one of the largest networks of its kind in the country. We work with stakeholders such as the SFA, EFA, NAS, Connexions and North West Providers Network, providing a single voice for our members and promoting their services to employers, schools, parents and young people. We support the continual improvement of our members’ standards to benefit the individuals, communities and businesses in Liverpool City Region.

Yorkshire Learning Providers operates the single largest employment and skills network in the Yorkshire region and works locally, regionally and nationally to bring members the latest updates, developments, advice and guidance on FE, skills, LEP and stakeholder business.

YLP is actively involved in lobbying locally and nationally to ensure that members voices are heard. Alex Miles, YLP MD, is a board member of the Leeds City Region Skills network, a member of the LEP Employment & Skills Board and the AELP strategic group – which ensures policy discussions and decisions are made with members involvement and priorities at the heart of the agenda.  YLP are passionate about and dedicated to developing a high-quality skills system across Yorkshire & the North of England.

The Lancashire Work-Based Learning Executive Forum (LWBLEF) is committed to supporting its members to provide the highest quality of Work-Based learning opportunities to young people and adults within the workforce to the benefit of employers and the wider society in Lancashire. Our intention is to continue establishing Work Based Learning as a valid and recognised route of choice including Higher Education and continued career progression.

The Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network has over 100 employment and skills providers operating across the Greater Manchester region. GMLPN was established in 2006 and strives to improve the employment and skills system by working alongside our members and partners. Working with our members and partners, our ambition is to build a high quality skills system in Greater Manchester aligned in support of the Greater Manchester’s Work and Skills Strategy and in particular the needs of employers, individuals and communities.”

North East Learning Providers (NELP) is a confederation of 30 organisations delivering work-based learning to young people and adults across the North East Local Authority areas. 

We offer:

  • A strong and united voice on issues that are important to the sector
  • Direct contact with government bodies i.e. ESFA, DWP, NE LEP, Ofsted
  • Peer support on all aspects of work within our sector, including inspections
  • Collaborative funding and working opportunities
  • Funded/sponsored training courses for Members’ staff
  • Access to a Members’ website, database and notice board
  • Signposting of employers to Member organisations
  • Meetings, focus groups and events
  • A dedicated executive working on Members’ behalf.

The South Yorkshire Provider Network is one of the largest networks of Further Education (FE)Colleges, Skills and  Employability providers in the country. We are the preferred network of the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), our network has gained a strong voice on issues such as devolution and the development of skills and employability provision across the area.

The Cumbria Work Based Learning Provider Forum is a membership group made up of Education, Employment & Skills providers operating in Cumbria, Including those from the Independent sector, FE Colleges, Employer Providers, HE Institutions and Local Authorities.

Some of the key objectives of the Forum are:

  • To ensure the provider voice in delivering the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP) skills priorities, set by employers.
  • To carry out research and provide intelligence on the reasons for skills trends in Cumbria to inform the CLEP.
  • To provide a collective means of representation and lobbying for further education and skills providers.
  • To provide an interface with the local authority, schools, academics and other key organisations and agencies eg NSN, AELP.