At the NEC last week many items were discussed and I include some of them for your information.

Most important was the discussion on the Construction Skills (CS) Contract which for many Colleges is resulting in a decline in funding.

Members attending Road Shows put on by CS are often led to believe that following negotiations BACH has agreed the contract at a National level. This is not the case. As you know the AoC are the body that meet with CS and at these meetings they receive the proposals about the next contract. BACH is invited to participate in this process. It has become clear that neither the AoC nor BACH ‘negotiates’ the contract. Both parties comment on the offer but the final decision is taken by Construction Skills on what they include in the contract. Contracts are then sent out to individual colleges who decide to sign or not. The AoC do advise Principals on the discussions. BACH is now reviewing its position and will be seeking a better understanding with the AoC on the status of the meetings with CS and how it can improve communication on the implications for Apprentices.

Where CS continue to give the impression to Members that BACH nationally has negotiated and agreed the contract Members should let the Business Manager know.

I am delighted to inform you that the NEC has endorsed the recommendation that Paul Monroe be appointed as the new Business Manager. Paul was the Head of Department at York College and will take over the role from Mike Drake. Paul will be at the National Conference where you will have the chance to meet him. He intends to start as soon as his diary allows and I am sure that you would want to join me in congratulating him on his appointment.

Mike will be a tough act to follow and for those attending the National Conference, we will have the opportunity of formally thanking Mike for the tremendous contribution he has made to the furtherance of BACH’s objectives.

At the NEC Paul Brown led a session on the next stage of the Development Plan. The outline issues were discussed by all members of the NEC and it was agreed to hold an away day and with the support of a professional facilitator produce the first draft of a plan which can then be sent out to members for comment. It is our intention to produce a final version for approval by the AGM in November 2010.

The web site was also discussed and initial feedback indicates that it has great potential. One of the first tasks for the new Business Manager will be to populate the various sections and to ensure that it is kept up to date. Over the coming months passwords will be sent out to give access to the Members only area. It is also planned to arrange an alert message system to ensure that you are informed about important issues facing you and the Association.

The NEC agreed to invest in the production of Marketing and Publicity material. A small budget was agreed and work is underway to identify, through tender, a design and print company who can produce high quality material. It is intended to have an Exhibition Board and leaflets available as soon as is reasonable.

BACH is meeting Summitt Skills on the 1 March 2010 and the NEC was asked to identify issues which we could raise with them. If you would like the Officers to raise matters with Summitt Skills on your behalf please let you’re Regional Chair or any of the Officers know.

The NEC discussed the upheaval taking place in FE as a result of the changes in the arrangements for funding. It was agreed that there are serious implications for Construction Departments and BACH should raise these nationally on behalf of Members. If you have any concerns and want BACH to bring them to the attention of MPs, Government Departments, Awarding/Funding or other Bodies then do let us know.

I look forward to seeing you at the National Conference which promises to be a great event.

Ray