Rob Bendelow, LSIS head of procurement, explained how LSIS has shifted the delivery of its improvement support services to a regional model.

"We are committed to embracing the sector wherever possible," he said.

"For the first time, we have offered programme contracts on a region-by-region basis, and opened the door to smaller, localised organisations capable of truly making a difference in their area."

Each tender demanded that a minimum of 60 per cent delivery be undertaken by sector providers. In fact the overall sector involvement figure is around 70 per cent, and the LSIS also claims that the restriction of management fees to just 10 per cent of budgets delivers greater value for money than in the past.

One of LSIS’s larger programmes to benefit from this new, in-sector, regional approach is Skills and Employer Responsiveness, which the LSIS describes as "aiming to improve the service offered to employers by equipping providers with the skills and expertise to tailor learning to employers’ current needs".

The lead contractor will work closely with a number of organisations around the nine government office regions in England to achieve its goals. The Association of Learning Providers (ALP) and The 157 Group work with the West and East Midlands, and Eastern England; CfBT with the North West, North East, Yorkshire and Humberside, and the South East; London Capital Colleges with London; and the National Skills Academy for Financial Services with the South West.

LSIS chief executive Dr David Collins stressed the importance of cost reduction following the reduction in LSIS’s budget this year of £80m.

"This was challenging for the tenderers but it is essential we squeeze out every possible pound for the frontline delivery of our programmes," he said.

"We are grateful to the whole supplier market for their bids which involved frontline delivery - to the lead bidders for recruiting such a wide spread of learning providers and practitioners, and to the providers for being prepared to release some of their most talented staff members to support LSIS programme delivery."

The news is yet another example of how the sector as a whole continues to adapt to the needs of providers, learners and employers in the present financial climate. Such innovation is always worthy of praise and the adoption of a more regional approach, together with a focus on reduced costs, chimes well with the government’s Big Society programme.

"The present circumstances and pressure on the public purse dominate our news bulletins," Dr Collins continued.

"Here at LSIS, we are committed to supporting the learning and skills sector by getting excellent value for money."

Nathan Brown