(Friday 7^th April 2000)

The next VSTU one-day conference is being organised jointly with One Voice Tees Valley (formerly TCVS). This is to address the issue of individuals and organisations continuously improving through development and training - Succeeding Through Lifelong Learning. John Bennett, Chief Executive of Tees Valley Training and Enterprise Council, opens the conference and Paul McGee, Chair of One Voice Tees Valley and Chief Officer of the Teesside WEA, closes the conference with a keynote address entitled "Who listens to the learners?" In addition participants will be able to choose to attend three workshops addressing key issues of workforce development and workplace learning from the following six workshops: -

• The Challenge of the Employment Service in the New Millennium,

• Learning in the 21^st century - what all organisations should know? Learning North East

• Developing Learning Organisations.

• European Funding 2000-2006

• Providing a Route to Accreditation - TROCN

What contribution will the Voluntary Sector make to help develop the strategy of the Small Business Service?

The arrangements which will exist from April 2001 when the TECs are wound up and replaced by Learning Skills Council and Small Business Services will be examined.