The Business to Business market
The FE sector is NEC's largest market with a strong base of regular repeat customers. As well as supplying materials to colleges in the sector, NEC provides more complete solutions, particularly with their CoNECt2 offering. 'CoNECt2 is a franchising arrangement between colleges and the National Extension College. CoNECt2 members purchase specialist distance learning materials and tutor support from NEC, to widen the choice of delivery modes within their local recruitment area.' This allows colleges in the FE sector to provide 'a cost-effective way to extend the range of courses on offer'; and give learners more flexible access to learning without the need to recruit, train and manage distance learning tutors. Members also have access to the CoNECt2 Community Space ? a private online area containing information and resources for the programme and discussion forums. The area is being developed for the exchange and compilation of student data required by the Learning and Skills Council.
The CoNECt2 scheme has been in operation since 1994 with over 8,000 students participating and covers GCSEs, A Levels and vocational and professional qualifications. The colleges always recruit learners directly and students are in first instance registered with college; the latter drawing down the funding.
Through its FlexiStudyTM scheme, NEC provides materials and know-how for colleges offering open learning with their own tutorial support. FlexiStudyTM members have access to their own online area, which provides news of curriculum updates and discussion forums.
In addition, schools are a growing market for NEC's courses (eg A levels) and, according to Gillian Moore, Director of NEC's Study Programmes, they are currently 'working with over 50 schools who have enrolled more than 400 students with us. We are also working with a number of Local Education Authorities to help provide learning programmes for students who are outside of mainstream education.' Again, they offer schools an opportunity to extend their access to the widest range of subjects and to provide resources for independent learning.
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