Market Research (9c)

Aim: Carry out market research with employers to include surveys on Level 3 through to workforce learning and training outside Higher Education Institutions and Further Education Colleges.

SWLLN consultants, Ian Sherriff, Dr Greg Borne and Helen May have been, in 2007-08,  undertaking detailed research through questionnaires and face-to-face meetings with over 4000 Parish Counsellors and Clerks in Devon. The goal is to ascertain their learning needs as more and more government policy involves delivery at the parish level and through the voluntary sector. A very large database is being constructed by Helen May and this should yield rich insights when the analysis phase commences shortly.

This background and experience led to the OneCornwall team approaching Ian Sherriff with a proposal to replicate the work done in Devon. After several exploratory meetings, a Heads of Agreement has been signed by the SWLLN Director, Belinda Payne, and the team are engaging with the 209 Cornish Town and Parish Councils and the OneCornwall team itself. The agreed action plan entails detailed research of current skills, knowledge and attributes, and thus perceived training and education needs.

The outcomes are being placed in a large scale database and analysis will take place in the next academic year. As a result, the SWLLN will be in position to broker the required training programmes with educational institutions in the Duchy.This research and training needs analysis will, of course, be available across the other counties contained within the SWLLN sub-region.