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College Newsletter - Congress 2007Welcome to the Congress 2007 edition of the Co-operative College Newsletter. We Value Your ViewsIn this issue we are, once again, asking for your feedback about Co-operative Learning Matters so that we can develop our newsletter to best meet your interests. Please take a few moments to complete a short feedback form. EditorialThe Co-operative College vision is: This Congress edition of Learning Matters provides evidence of the remarkable progress the College has made towards its vision. National Co-operative Archive Designated as an Outstanding CollectionThe National Co-operative Archive has received a notable accolade, with the award of Designated status for the collections. New Learning for Members and DirectorsThe College continues to develop elected members and directors at all levels in the co-operative movement including worker co-operatives and in social enterprises. We are highly hopeful that new initiatives will enable us to remove one or two of the barriers smaller organisations face in access to our training, and that we can, in the process, strengthen partnerships with co-operative bodies in the regions and nations, and with worker co-operatives, co-operative consortia and housing co-operatives. Young Co-operatives and the Co-operative College Link UpYoung Co-operatives and the Co-operative College have agreed arrangements for closer collaboration to promote ethical models of co-operative enterprise in schools with funding support from the Co-operative Fund. Great Learning Opportunities from the Co-operative College Without Leaving the Comfort of Your Own Home!It’s not always easy for elected Members and Directors to attend face-to-face training workshops regularly. Very often this is because Members and Directors have other responsibilities and commitments such as caring for family or full time employment. Women in ManagementIn 2006 the Co-operative College secured funding to carry out a research project designed to identify the obstacles to women making progress in co-operatives and social enterprises. The study revealed that whilst some of the obstacles to progress could be addressed through training for women, there were other obstacles, which stemmed from the structure and culture of organisations, and would need to be addressed in different ways. Development for Funeral ProfessionalsTwo years of hard work by the College, co-operative movement and Edexcel have seen the new vocational qualifications launched. To date Funeralcare, Midlands, Midcounties and Plymouth and South West co-operative societies have developed assessors and started candidates on the new standards. IT, Computers, Podcasts, and E-learningThe College continues to offer a wide range of computer applications and systems training covering the full Microsoft Office suite including, Word, Excel, Access, Publisher and PowerPoint at Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced levels. Our approach is to work with groups of up to eight people, in our well equipped IT suite in Manchester, so that Tutors can tailor training and focus clearly on the training needs of individuals. Learning for LeadersThe first half of 2007 has seen the College deliver its first Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Executive Diploma in Strategic Management. Participants attended this programme from the NHS and co-operative movement and it was delivered over three weekends. The feedback received was excellent and we are now planning the next course to commence in September. African ConnectionsEthiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. Food and Development:
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