Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVE)

The Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) programme was launched in 2001 and set out to improve radically the capacity of the FE sector to deliver specialist work-based learning. The LSC launched the programme with 16 Pathfinder CoVEs in September 2001 and more than 400 centres had achieved CoVE status by January 2006, exceeding our target to establish 400 by March 2006. At the LSC we recognise that the CoVE programme has only succeeded because of the hard work and commitment shown by provider staff in delivering the changes that have already taken place.

In 2005 the Agenda for Change document outlined how, in order to increase employer investment in workforce development through FE, the next stage of the specialist provider programme would be to focus on employer responsiveness through the introduction of the Quality Mark for employers. In 2006 the FE reform white paper recommended that the Quality Mark development be combined with the re-accreditation of the CoVE programme to create a “new standard” for employer responsiveness and vocational excellence.

This “new standard” was developed throughout 2006, in conjunction with employers and sector skills councils, and with the help of 68 CoVE and non-CoVE providers. The development work was completed in early 2007 and the new standard was available from June 2007.

CoVE network list - (171kb)