In spite of the changes taking place all around it Walsall EBP is continuing to provide its normal high quality service to all of its partners.

The changes include:

• At the end of March 2001 Walsall Training and Enterprise Council, along with the three other Black Country TECs, ceased trading to be replaced by one Local Learning and Skills Council (LLSC) for the Black Country.
• The LLSCs have a wide-ranging remit covering the whole of the Post 16 educational and training agenda including:
  • school sixth forms
  • further education
  • training
  but excluding higher education.
• As part of the changes which brought about the Learning and Skills Council, the way in which education business partnerships are funded has also changed. Walsall EBP along with Dudley, Wolverhampton and Sandwell EBPs have formed the Black Country Education Business Links Consortium to act as the contracting body under the new arrangements.
• With the final closure of Walsall TEC, at the end of June 2001, Townend House will cease to be available as a home for Walsall EBP and we are looking for new premises. We will of course inform all of our partners of our new location details nearer the time. For ease of contact it is intended to retain the same telephone, e-mail and Web site details.