If you are an FE learning provider, Business Interchange placements are an opportunity for you to:

• Develop partnerships with business which can increase awareness of FE provision and encourage active participation in course design and delivery
• Identify local employer training needs or skills gaps, which can inform the design of bespoke training or modification of the curriculum
• Share good practice with colleagues and counterparts within the FE sector
• Improve the motivation of learners and their readiness for a career in their chosen sector through better learning delivery
• Reflect changing business needs within the curriculum.

A programme called ‘Lecturers into Industry’ which uses a similar interchange model is already running successfully in Northern Ireland. For more information about ‘Lecturers into Industry’ please visit www.lsdani.org.uk/programmes/lec/.

Funding
All learning providers will receive funding towards the costs associated with participating in these pilots. This will be arranged locally through a dedicated 'Business Interchange' advisor (funding).

Opportunities
Pilots for the Industry Awareness placement and the short exchange will take place between October 2007 and March 2008. The short and vocational placement pilots will begin between January and March 2008 and the sabbatical pilot will be available to start in September 2008. Places are limited, so please register your interest as soon as possible.

Next steps
If you are a learning provider and would like to find out more about Business Interchange and how to apply please visit www.takeeducationfurther.org.

If you require further information please email the project team or call the Business Interchange helpline 0845 602 5291.