Signing of Fife Voluntary Sector Training Partnership Agreement

Following on from the success of the ESF Training Projects ‘Modernising the Voluntary Sector in Fife - Learning Together’, and ‘Developing a Skilled Workforce for the Voluntary Sector in Fife’, CVS Fife, in Partnership with the Adam Smith College and the Volunteer Centre Fife, are now funded to offer training to the voluntary sector under the ‘Skills for Scotland Project’, which is part funded by the ESF. The emphasis of this project is to offer training routes leading towards accredited qualifications. These new courses leading to accreditation will benefit both the individuals accessing the training and the voluntary organisations concerned.

Although the 'Skills for Scotland' project commenced on 1st June, 2008, the formal signing ceremony for the Partnership did not take place until 5th September, 2008. This was held at CVS Fife's Buckhaven Office and the three way Partnership Agreement involving CVS Fife, the Volunteer Centre Fife and Adam Smith College, was signed off by (L-R) Robert Bell, Chair of CVS Fife, Prime Minister Gordon Brown in his capacity as Chancellor of the Adam Smith College and Roger Coates, Chair of the Volunteer Centre Fife. Fife Council is also associated with this Training Project and delivers a range of training courses on behalf of the Partnership, mainly through the Social Work Service.

Skills for Scotland

"Skills For Scotland" is a multi-agency project supported by the European Social Fund, the aim of which is to provide appropriate, affordable and accessible training to Fife's voluntary sector workforce. It addresses higher level management and technical training, professional development and core skills. By increasing the skill levels across the workforce, the project aims to assist organisations to adopt a more enterprising approach to service delivery, to become more competitive, to play a more significant role in the delivery of public services, to address the needs of service users more effectively and efficiently and to enhance the employability of individual employees. The project is delivered by a Consortium which includes:

• CVS Fife
• The Adam Smith College, Fife
• Volunteer Centre Fife
• Fife Council

While topics covered by the project will be in keeping with the aims and objectives described above, the consortium is interested to learn of other specific learning and training needs within Fife's voluntary sector in order that these can be highlighted and addressed through other channels. In addition, access to specialised, individual training can be secured through Adam Smith College and other members of the consortium. Please see details at the end of this programme for further information. Volunteer Centre Fife can offer tailored training in relation to volunteer management issues.

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Sandra Bruce, Training Project Learning Services Co-ordinator
CVS Fife, 23-27 Randolph Street, Buckhaven, Fife KY8 1AT
T: 01592 567001 - E: sandra.bruce@cvsfife.org

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