Learning Partnership West trains and supports people into work in partnership with public, private and voluntary sector organisations across the West of England and nationally.

LPW delivers a number of courses, services and products for individuals and groups including families, schools, colleges, training providers and local authorities. Our primary aim is to train and support people into work.

Our courses, services and products include:

– Accredited qualifications: From the National Open College Network (NOCN) and the Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network (ASDAN) and the Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (CoPE)
– Choices: Alternative education provision for vulnerable young people with multiple difficulties
– Connexions: Targeted support for people aged 13-19 (up to 25 for those with learning difficulties and disabilities) not in education, employment or training in the B&NES, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
– Targeted Support: Targeted support for vulnerable young people in Bristol
– Family Support: Support to re-engage families and create positive progression for young people
– DiscoverMe: A range of personality profiles to help young people and adults learn more about themselves for use throughout their lives

We report directly to local authorities and central government. Our reputation is as the modern face of public sector delivery of low-cost, high-quality services and we have a proven track record of outcome-based payment by results contracts.

A Community Interest Company (CIC)
LPW has been a local authority controlled CIC since August 2011. We are run by a Board of Directors including local authority directors and members and representatives from local business and community members. These include Business West and JobCentre Plus.

CICs are companies with special additional features, created for people who want to conduct a business or other activity for community benefit rather than for private advantage. This is achieved by a ‘community interest test’ and ‘asset lock’ which ensures that the CIC is established for community purposes and that all assets and profits are dedicated to these purposes. Registration of a company as a CIC is approved by the regulator who also has a continuing monitoring and enforcement role.