Introduction
Cogent SSC Ltd (Cogent), one of 25 sector Skills Councils, received its
five year licence from the Secretary of State for Education and Skills
in January 2004. It has a broad and challenging strategic remit
across the sector for which it is responsible.
The concept of Associates is an important one for the further
development and sustainability of Cogent. This paper explains how
it is proposed to accelerate rapidly the establishment and
implementation of the proposed network, building on recruitment that
has already taken place.
If you would like to be considered for the Cogent Associate Pool, please click here to download the application form and return to Neville Gall, Cogent SSC Ltd, Unit 5, Mandarin Court, Centre Park, Warrington, WA1 1GG. Alternatively complete and submit an online version of the application form.
What is an Associate?
An Associate is an individual (or possibly a partnership of individuals
or private limited company) providing essential services to Cogent
which are not available internally.
Subject to sensible “de minimis” provisions (somebody doing an
occasional hour or two of freelance editing would not be an appropriate
candidate) it is envisaged that all external consultants will, over
time, be invited to become Cogent Associates.
Associates will offer one or more specialist skills such as (for example):
• Skills Research and Specialist Writing
• Facilitation and Training
• Cross Sector (e.g. Skills for Life)
• Industry Specific initiatives, e.g. industry technical training
• Funding Procurement
• Accountancy and Financial Modelling
• National Occupational Standards, Qualification Development or Further Education Qualifications
• Competence Assurance
• Staff Development and HR Management
Associates will almost always work on a self employed basis as opposed
to fixed-term contract work. This will help ensure costs are
properly budgeted and allocated against specific projects.
Funding
As implied above, Associates will only be employed on a self-funding
basis. This may come from publicly funded projects or
“Commercial” activities, in the latter case strictly on the basis of
approved business plans.
In some instances Associates might work on a “contingency” basis - i.e.
with their payment tied to a particular outcome which in itself
provides income to Cogent.
Benefits of being a Cogent Associate
We expect Cogent Associates will apply to join the Network because of
the potential it offers for additional work but we believe that the
concept offers a good deal more besides - for example:
• “Preferred Supplier” status i.e. if one or more Associate has the
skills and knowledge to undertake a particular piece of work no attempt
will be made to look elsewhere for a supplier UNLESS the conditions of
the funding contract compel us to tender
• wider publicity and shared network contacts within an evolving, government recognised, brand
• a potential UK wide marketplace - and perhaps beyond!
• access to a dynamic, co-ordinated network of individual specialists
which over time will form part of the Cogent “extended family” and
provide a shared bank of information and expertise
• receiving recommendations from Cogent to our customers
• sharing project activity that might be too large for individual consultants
• regular CPD updates and an annual Associates conference
• opportunities for personal and professional development
• bringing projects to us where our status as a Sector Skills Council
can assist in winning funding (financial incentive implied).
Quality assurance
Further work is being undertaken in this vital area but processes will include:
• careful recruitment procedures, with references taken up in all cases
• independent evaluation to be integral to all projects proposals,
with a detailed review of the results against agreed criteria
• the possible recruitment of a quality practitioner associate to advise in more detail.
Holding out
Associates will represent themselves as being a Consultant to Cogent.
Although clearly not members of staff they will be at their most
effective as ambassadors for us if they are properly informed about our
vision, mission strategy and objectives plus at least some detail on
our overall activities at any one time (see Communications below).
Contractual arrangements
On appointment an Associate will be asked to enter into a single,
generic contract (available on application) which sets out the terms
and conditions of his or her appointment (where possible including
remuneration rates although these may vary from one assignment to
another and be in part linked to performance/outcomes).
Certain underlying terms are also contained in this contract such as:
• office costs to be included in remuneration rates and not charged as extras
• travel and subsistence paid at the same rates as Cogent staff
• payments by milestone outcome subject to the satisfaction of the designated Cogent project manager
• clarity on the VAT and self employed status of the Associate.
Annexes to the generic contract will be added on a project by project
basis to confirm explicit details of the work to be done by the
Associate and particular terms attached thereto. Again, a model
template is now available.
Culture and Communications
We shall aim to:
• embed an Associate culture within Cogent so that internal staff are
just as comfortable working with an Associate in appropriate
circumstances as any other colleague
• encourage Associates to bring forward project proposals to Cogent (financial incentives to be discussed)
• include news of the work of Associates in e-bulletins, of which they will automatically be on the circulation list
• develop and maintain an Extranet for Associates
Management and co-ordination
Neville Gall, Human Resources Manager is co-ordinating the recruitment
and management of the network of Associates. Neville’s
responsibilities include contractual arrangements and the review of
quality assurance mechanisms.
The deployment of Associates on specific project work lies with individual Cogent Team Leaders and budget holders.
Recruitment
Initially recruiting by means of the Cogent network, we plan to advertise more widely during the first half of 2006.
Potential Associates are invited to get in touch with Neville Gall
(contact details below). We will then supply a Capability Questionnaire
which should be returned when completed with an up to date CV or
company brochure.
These documents will be evaluated and, where relevant, an interview
arranged. At this interview contractual arrangements and project
possibilities will be discussed in more detail - and if all goes well
references taken up.
This will then give Cogent all the information needed to offer work to Associates as projects become available.
Associates will be appointed to individual projects by individual Cogent Team Leaders as indicated above.
More information
Please e-mail Neville Gall [email protected] or ring him on 01224 787820 (direct line)
Footnote: Bringing work to Cogent
Associates may, from time to time, wish to suggest new projects which
will always be welcome when in line with Cogent vision and objectives.
Any Associates wishing to put forward suggestions should please get in touch with Neville Gall in the first instance.
|
