Collaborative Approaches to 14-19 Provision - Communities and ...

14-19 PATHFINDERS: THE SECOND YEAR501. In relation to funding courses away from home institutions the principle is thatfunding should follow the learner, with some remaining with 'home' institutions, althoughthe proportions remain matters for debate. At 14-16 some courses have been supportedthrough the Increased Flexibility programme while some activities currently being pilotedare funded through the Pathfinder or other sources or involve roughly equal exchanges ofstudents.502. Thus while in many respects collaboration is well-honed in the Pathfinder andPartnership there are aspects of staffing, travel and funding which, as in other Pathfinders,remain to be placed on a firm footing.503. Within this Pathfinder there was an absence of strong articulation with thelocal labour market and with employers. There was little evidence that curriculumdevelopment was being informed by labour market information or knowledge of localskills gaps. Within the Pathfinder this was accounted for by reference to the nature of thelocal economy. There was limited involvement of training providers in the Pathfinder.The work-based learning route remains undeveloped with little focus on modernapprenticeships. It is recognised within the Pathfinder that development is needed withinthis area and an appointment has been made to develop employer and business links.148