Working with FE Business has been an engaging, supportive and rightly challenging process from the beginning. They supported us with an analysis of the range and effectiveness of existing employer engagement activity, as well as providing a roadmap for future development. This was a key element in our strategic vision and mission.
Harnessing existing strengths and expertise of staff, they provided a considered and informed business plan with key milestones to achieve future development and growth through employer engagement
They trained staff to understand the opportunities in the external environment, and the college’s fit with these and even more importantly supported us to ensure how the college could resource itself to capitalise on these opportunities.
Mark and Omar have a very personable and flexible approach, with a solution focus. This was evident from supporting the college in appointment of new staff to also participating with Board in their own training and development. I would certainly recommend their services.
Mike Gaston, Principal & Chief Executive, South Downs College
FE Business are experts in their field, providing succinct, straightforward but comprehensive analysis of employer engagement growth opportunities for the College. With the clearly identified route map and action plan provided, the college is well placed to accelerate growth in this area building on existing strong relationships which offer a foundation for success. Omar and Mark are easy to work with, clearly understand the challenging and ever changing FE business development context and are able to make clear recommendations about how organisations can meet the challenges presented.
Janet Bywater, Head of Business Innovation & Enterprise, Barking & Dagenham College
“FE Business delivered fantastic training to our team, with staff commenting that it was the best staff CPD they had ever had. The team were engaged with the message and came out of the training really positive. This started the culture change we needed. Omar and Mark have also supported our management team to drive NCN business to business into the future, ensuring we are business ready and putting our customers at the forefront of everything we do. We look forward to undertaking more work with Mark and Omar”.
Jade Whitemore, Head of Business Development and Kevin Smith, Head of Apprenticeships at NCN Business to Business
Omar is an exceptional trainer who really knows how to engage his audience. Obviously very well informed regarding issues surrounding an ever more competitive FE landscape, he made the training both relevant and original. We would recommend FE Business’s training solutions to any like-minded sales team looking to stay ahead of their competitors.
James Norris, Assistant Principal, Commercial, Walsall College
We have been working with Mark and Omar for a number of months now on a range of projects. They have been incredibly responsive and flexible in all of the challenges we have set them. We began working on formal sales and employer responsive training for our employer team and quickly identified that we had some further work to do with our curriculum teams. We have found Mark & Omar to be professional, knowledgeable and resourceful in helping us meet our development and training needs.
In addition to designing and delivering training programmes they have also participated in Board strategy days and are currently working on a competitor and LMI analysis for our locality/sector. It’s such a relief to find a service that can extend the resource and expertise of our senior team – I cannot recommend Mark and Omar highly enough.
Ashley McCaul, CEO, Skills for Growth.
Working with FE Business was a pleasure. They quickly got to grips with a complex brief, working well with internal and external stakeholders to deliver high-quality work on time. They clearly understand the intersection of FE colleges and business, and we’d be happy to recommend them to other providers.
Matthew Brown, Vice Principal Strategy & Resources, Huntingdonshire Regional College
It was a pleasure working with Mark and Omar of FE Business on a feasibility report to identify ways, means and opportunities for diversifying our income streams. FE Business were adept at getting under the skin of the College and identifying our needs. The project was therefore well scoped and they were careful to keep us informed of progress and able to keep within time (and budget!). The final report has been thought provoking and, as it had set out to, prompted much internal debate between and amongst both staff and Governors – a very useful tool in kick-starting the process.
Nick Rampley, Vice Principal Finance & Resources, Morley College.
FE Business successfully developed the work based learning area of work at the college. They have put in place and embedded a structure for the delivery of Apprenticeships and full cost provision. London Churchill College thank them for this valuable contribution.
They demonstrated strategic responsibility for the planning, co-ordination and oversight of the future work of the College (WBL), providing a vision of a 21st century college through a powerful combination of clear direction and communication.
Paul Townsley, Director of Vocational Education and Partnerships, London Churchill College.
Creating an Employer Responsive Service workshop
“Trainers were very knowledgeable and spoke from experience”
Business Development Manager
“Really supportive, built people’s confidence, definitely encouraging a cross-organisation team”.
Head of Training Delivery
“Enjoyed both days, brought the teams together and made us appreciate what we all contribute”.
Learner Recruitment officer
“Very engaging trainers with evident strong knowledge in this field. Very effective in building relationships and collaboration across the organisation”.
Curriculum Manager
“The trainers were very approachable and engaged all of us throughout the course and showed they valued the contribution of each individual. The programme was effective and exhilarating, making me feel that we can each make a difference”
Tutor/Assessor
“Helped me to re-focus and to look at my strengths and weaknesses. The trainers were very good at bringing the group together.”
Curriculum Team Leader
“The trainers were very engaging, friendly and informative. They brought out the best in everyone. Going forward, the outcomes we developed will have lasting positive effects”.
Learner Services Manager
“The trainers were approachable, clear and engaging. The programme gave us a great platform to share ideas and address issues”.
Head of Traineeships
“Enjoyed both days, opened my eyes to roles within the organisation and their needs”.
Business Trainer/Assessor
Sales and Business Development Skills workshop
“The trainers were extremely knowledgeable, credible and engaging in delivering a high quality course”.
Senior Business Development Manager
“Engaging topics delivered with passion and knowledge which made it all very enjoyable and the key learning points were clearly communicated and understood”.
Business Development Manager
“Both trainers were excellent today! They opened our eyes to a number of different ways of selling to employers. Brilliant course!”.
Apprenticeship Administrator
“Very engaging, the pace and intensity was exactly right – this course will definitely help me in my business development role in terms of transferable skills”.
Business Development Manager
“Very motivational and engaging, will definitely apply what I have learnt today going forward”.
Commercial Administrator
“Excellent! Would highly recommend this course, both trainers were from our sector and clearly understood our roles. The course was very good and I have a learnt a range of valuable skills I will implement in my role”.
Business Development Manager