Paul Mitchell is working with the Sussex Learning Network on the development of the forthcoming Learning Opportunities in South East website (an expansion, across nine counties, of the exisiting Learning Opportunities in the South East service). Paul has previously worked with SLN on the development of online resources designed to promote foundation degrees, HNDs and HNCs.

He brings to his role a wealth of experience in the field of government-funded training and a comprehensive knowledge of local organisations and employers.

Paul graduated in business studies and ran his own apprenticeship training company, the Training Consortium, for 15 years, collaborating with a range of organisations and training providers in Sussex. After a period as Enterprise Director at Sussex Downs College he set up his own consultancy in 2001.

With his business background and his extensive experience of working with the public sector, Paul is able to understand the perspectives of both employers and training providers. He said: “I am a commercial person in a public arena. That means I can communicate well with employers, helping them to unravel the jargon and to find out what’s available for them. But, after many years of working with training providers, I can also talk to them constructively and understand their problems and challenges.”

Paul’s recent activities have included work with East Sussex local education authority, Sussex Enterprise, Sussex Careers, Aimhigher, Connexions, the Brighton & Hove Learning Partnership, and the Sussex Council of Training Providers (SCTP).

Paul’s first major role in his work with SLN was project managing the development of the Foundation Degrees in Sussex website for SCTP. The site, which was originally an AimHigher initiative, is now managed by SLN and is an integral part of the network’s activities.

“Through the website, potential students and employers can access information on over 50 foundation degrees and a range of HNC/HND courses available in Sussex. The site explains how foundation degrees work, where they are available and how to make enquiries or enrol.

Paul is convinced that the project was very worthwhile. “I believe the site could make a really valuable contribution to helping people access foundation degrees. It has already helped to raise the profile of these degrees and it is an important vehicle for colleges and universities to reach out to non-traditional learners. We need to market foundation degrees as effectively as possible so that people can find out what’s on offer and take advantage of the opportunities available,“ he said.

He has established an excellent working relationship with SLN since its inception two years ago. “It’s a good team at SLN and we work very well together. We are on the same wavelength about our aims and objectives and share a belief in the enormous potential benefits of what we are trying to do to significant numbers of non-traditional learners.“