The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) in their document Developing the role of School Support staff proposed the development of support staff training and qualifications in relation to three broad career progression routes.
Supporting pupils and teachers in

• The teaching and learning process
• Behaviour and guidance
• Administration and organisation

This CoVE made up of partners will focus on the first route of pedagogy on training and development opportunities at level 3 and above for teaching assistants, Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs) and technicians who support teaching and learning within the class situation. This unique CoVE will build relationships between employers i.e. Local Education Authorities (LEAs) and schools, and also providers to focus on the upskilling of new entrants and existing employees and will build on the strengths and expertise of each partner within the pedagogical route.
All training will be work based and will work towards raising standards in schools thus meeting the economic needs of both local and national agendas and contribute towards Section 133 of the National Workforce Remodelling Agenda which looks at appropriately trained support staff taking on extra tasks to enable teachers to concentrate on teaching.
Partners will enhance their provision through working with employers on curriculum development, on site training and developing local strategies to further improve the effectiveness of delivery.
The Government 10 year strategy for Childcare incorporating the requirements of Every Child Matters, Time for Standards( Reforming the school Workforce) and Developing the role of School Support staff identifies the need to

• improve the quality and status of early years and childcare workers
• have clearer and more accessible progression routes for the existing workforce
• have a new qualification and career structure for school support staff

Support staff can, with appropriate induction and training, make a powerful contribution to the life of the school and the core task of raising standards of achievement and an integrated workforce will contribute to the Government agenda for school improvement by focusing on upskilling the school workforce.