Surviving the College Merger Patrick Cox Learning Centres

Surviving the College Merger Patrick Cox, Learning Centres Manager patrick. cox@cambria. ac. uk

Geography & Profile • WG Review of FE provision • Flintshire Denbighshire Wrexham • 8, 000 FT 25, 000 PT 1, 600 staff FE WBL Professional

In the beginning… • Deeside College – medium FE provider based in Flintshire • Main focus – Engineering, Construction, Sport, Child Care

Merger Process Type 2 Merger – Phase 1 • Welsh College of Horticulture LMS / Brown Issue Major Stock Revision Plan/Design New Build Staffing Increase

Merger Process Type 2 Merger – Phase 2 • Coleg Llysfasi Time line 2009 WCo. H 2011 Coleg Llysfasi

2013 Yale College Type 1 Merger – Phase 3 • New name and branding • Schedule of meetings prior to merger • Learning Centre visits & ideas exchange • Release of Management Structure

Release of New Management Structure! Move from Quality and Learner Support > IT and Library Services What’s in a name ? Learning Zone Learning Centre Library Study Centre LRC Library

Immediate Priorities for the Joint Library Service • LMS - negotiation and identify potential issues (bar codes) site information, categories • e-resources (inc JISC Collections) • Athens & access arrangements • Plan joint web platform Also…new Reprographics Contract, Print Control System, MIS etc….

Post merger – Thinking time and Planning • Joint marketing – Implement and launch ITLS

Post merger – Thinking time and Planning Joint activities to encourage team work • National Blood Transfusion Service - cross site promotion and coordination • Health and Wellbeing events – with WG Health Library and Bangor University. Very well attended by curriculum

Post merger – Thinking time and Planning Joint activities to encourage team work SID 2014 – Major drive and significant opportunity to promote cross college approach. Activities planned at all sites with SID content, roll play video, pledge and survey

Further Joint Development • Pilot new SAR format with Quality Manager Excellent Development Plan Clear Priorities and Actions • Team working on joint ventures - Stock Selection & Acquisition • E & D Team - Organising events per calendar month • Marketing / Social Media team • Joint training day planned for Admin week: Essential Digital Literacy and Digital Citizenship for the 21 st Century Learning Professional

Sharing Information and Roles • Chair of N Wales Library Training Group • New Finance System – Individual Cost Centres • New HR Systems • Further Resource Development

Surviving the College Merger…. Hints and Tips! • Don’t expect all to fall into place at one • Review and plan integration of e-resources • If planning LMS – buy in the expertise and training – and allow time • Select key areas for joint team working • Develop Service SAR/Action Plan with target dates • Maintain separate cost centres

Patrick Cox Learning Centres Manager Patrick. cox@cambria. ac. uk