News

Topss North East, social work's key training body, is expanding its new learning resource centre networks for social workers and students.

The move will allow easier access to information about local training and career development.

Following a similar initiative by Topss East Midlands, Topss North East is launching a one-stop shop network in January with £200,000 of funding. "We hope that this will pull all the information and advice on work-based learning into one hub in the North East," said Bob Little, regional development officer for Topss North East. "Instead of having to track down 15 different people or organisations you now only have to go to one place to find out what you want."

Audrey Harmer, social services training and workforce development officer at Middlesbrough Council, has been appointed as the centre's network manager. "The resource service will help the whole social work sector by providing support in workforce planning, together with practical assistance for work-based learning," she said.

Four employers' alliances organised by regions in the North East have been created to provide information on recruitment and retention and work-based learning. Little hopes that ties between universities and employers will be strengthened by the scheme, which goes live on 4 January 2005.