Aims

• Contribute to the objectives of the IAG Partnership both locally and nationally in taking IAG into the workplace in the West of England with particular focus on reaching those most in need of information, advice and/or guidance on learning and work
• Establish models, arguments and methods of engaging different types of employer to varying degrees and levels in establishing a quality IAG service
• Produce valuable information on overcoming obstacles and objections to IAG in the workplace
• Develop business arguments for providing IAG services in the workplace
• Disseminate information to all interested bodies and parties as approved by the IAG Forum

Objectives

• Identifying organisations who may have employees with basic skills needs considering industries, sectors, geographic location and likely workforce composition
• Identifying individual SMEs or groups of SMEs with employees who might benefit from an IAG service
• Responding to all expressions of interest in training and development, IAG, Matrix or IiP by organisations
• Including among participating employers: a local authority; a healthcare trust; a large private sector employer and a small to medium size enterprise, each employing a significant number of individuals who may be considered as being within local and national priority client groups for IAG Partnerships
• Seeking to engage employers who: have a national profile or are regarded as a ‘household name’; or have or are currently seeking IiP accreditation; or currently provide or wish to provide an IAG service
• Consulting with participating employers to determine in what ways they feel IAG might best add value to their workforce development activity    
• Carefully examining the situations, organisational cultures and differing business goals of participating employers to explore further ways in which IAG might improve or assist internal Projects and activities
• Determining an individual plan and timetable for each participating employer considering their aims, objectives and organisational realities
• Ensuring the quality of all proposed IAG services by ensuring appropriate levels of training for delivery staff and by applying the matrix standard as a set of guidelines to best practice
• Gaining the agreement of at least one participating employer in pursuing full Matrix accreditation
• Gaining the agreement of at least one participating employer in linking Matrix accreditation to IiP accreditation at a strategic level

Implementation

• Approach those organisations that have expressed an interest in IAG and those to whom referral has been gained
• Seek further referrals
• Gather information from similar Projects nationally and locally to gain from their experiences and perhaps gain company referrals or advice on focus (i.e. sector or industry)
• Decide on target types and numbers for each of the 4 categories of organisation considering the budgetary constraints and level of support required
• Pursue any further funding options appropriate to achievement of Project and participating employer aims
• Contact target organisations arranging appointments to speak to appropriate decision makers
• Present arguments for the Project as a whole and seek to identify perceptions with regard the potential benefits of IAG
• Augment employer perceptions by suggesting further possible advantages
• Determine the appropriate model for engagement in training delivery staff i.e. NVQ 2, 3 or 4, Learning Representatives or Learning Coaches
• Determine appropriate model for quality assurance i.e. the Matrix as guidelines for best practice, informal accreditation of I&A using Matrix as a template, full accreditation to Matrix or linkage of Matrix with IiP standard
• Arrange preparation and supply of  publicity/promotional materials and signposting and service delivery resources
• Support selection and appointment of delivery staff
• Support training of delivery staff
• Advise on all aspects of implementing the service in line with Matrix elements and performance measures/criteria
• Support all activities, which may assist in securing the delivery of basic skills training for those who need it
• Assist reviews and progress assessment
• Produce reports and case studies to include appropriate measurement of performance of the service provided in terms of numbers helped and individual improvements and success stories

Outcomes

• Four significant employers engaged with IAG and case studies written up focusing on the business benefit to the organisations
• Recommendations on the appropriate implementation of part of the Matrix standard with employers who are unable or unwilling to engage with the full Matrix accreditation process
• A model of how to support employers who wish to engage with the Matrix standards integrated with IiP standards
• Promotional, signposting and resource materials for employers on IAG services

Protocols and policies

• Visit all organisations expressing an interest in the Project
• Whilst ensuring that decision makers have strategic authority, as far as is possible, try to encourage the involvement of delivery staff at the earliest stage of discussions possible to incorporate their views and experience
• Review the plan regularly to augment, modify or amend details in 2.4 and 2.5
• Ensure watertight recording of leads, appointments, dialogue with and requests from participating employers, important contacts and Project Steering Committee