Association of Colleges

For two years, FE Sussex – the consortium company of the 12 post-16 colleges in Sussex – has pursued a highly proactive strategy of reducing the costs of examinations and assessments. As a consortium, their annual spend on assessment services is in excess of £5 million – a considerable sum. Their cost reduction strategy has already cut this by more than £250,000 and they’re ahead of their target for a 10 per cent reduction by the end of 2011.

Cost reduction manifests itself in two forms – cash discounts/rebates and increases in service levels. At first sight, the former appear to be most attractive, but in practice the latter are equally important; these have reduced College administration time, removed frustrations and provided opportunities for continuing professional development and sponsorship of College activities.

Two major vocational awarding bodies are well aware that the sands have shifted. They have responded to the initiative with alacrity, are responsive, accessible and keen to work with FE Sussex.

The strategic agreements that have been signed with these awarding bodies are partnership agreements. They do not take all and give nothing – they have the strategic ability to target business and spend to ensure they receive best value. They are also available to assist awarding bodies when they require rapid access to curriculum issues in colleges or other advice.

FE Sussex are now beginning the next phase of their examinations procurement strategy – how they can strategically target their business to ensure best value for money.

The future will be very different from today – requiring boards to tender in the same way as any other supplier is but one example of how they intend to drive the business and provide best value for their colleges.

If you’d like to know more please contact the AoC Procurement Development Team.
 

---

Read more Success Stories