North East Regional Development Agencies

The three RDAs in the North East established a joint approach to investment and development called Northern Way. Addressing the enterprise agenda is a key priority and together the RDAs felt that investing in young people was the most important area to invest in. They wanted expert consultancy support to shape the programme, gain advocacy to the approach, develop the financial and operating environment for the programme and brief delivery partners.

We drew together KSA's experience of facilitating 14-19 strategies in the north east, evaluating enterprise in Higher Education in developing the enterprise consultancy strategy for Northumberland, and in working with Education Business Partnership on enterprise and work based learning to shape and then agree with Northern Way an outline strategy for the programme. We work with the three RDAs, EBLOs, schools and other partners to understand how delivery mechanisms might work in each area then created a working plan and conceptual model for the programme which was widely consulted and refined. The key was to take an approach which be stretching for schools in developing the enterprise agenda whilst at the same time be enterprising and attractive in its approach - the goal was to engage 100 schools in each region. Once the concept was robust we worked with partners to shaped delivery and funding strategies, scope the programme evaluation, brief delivery partners on the operation of project protocols and provided an advisory helpline for schools giving advice and assistance in preparing proposals.

The 4.3m investment programme has been specified and activated. Demand to participate from schools significantly exceeded expectations. Northern Way RDAs are delighted with the shape and delivery of the programme.