Higher Level Skills Pathfinder
The overall aims of the North West Pathfinder are:
- Increase demand from employers for short training courses for their staff or freelancers.
- Increase employer engagement with skills provision in Universities.
- Increase the capacity of universities to respond to employer demand for higher level skills and embed up-to-date short course culture in universities.
- Test the level of investment employers are prepared to contribute for development and delivery of this type of course.
Overall the pathfinder is managed by the North West University Association. The creative and media category managed by the four relevant skills councils (Skillset for media, Skillfast for fashion, E -skills for digital and Creative and Cultural Skills). The four councils have developed a prospectus for funding for their specific area of skills, to view this document please click here 
North West Statistics and Higher Level Skills needs in the audio visual skills sector
The pathfinder is funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for three years from 1st October 2006 till 30th September 2009.
The total budget for the pathfinder is £4m of which £542,000 has been allocated for Digital, Creative and Media Industries.
The pathfinder will ensure that activity is employer-led through sector panels. These panels are comprised Sector Skills Councils, Cluster reps (IE Arts Council) and the Learning and Skills Councils creative lead. They will bring together the intelligence and research of these bodies on employer needs and gaps in current provision. The panel will then commission the development of short courses and will not approve funding for proposals, which do not clearly demonstrate how they are employer led.
If you are an employer or university interested in getting involved in the development of courses please contact David McCall Skillset Regional Manager for the North West.
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