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A new and broadly-based National Training Organisation (NTO) for the cultural sector has been proposed by Resource: the Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries, with a view to streamlining present structure under which six separate NTOs, known as the Impact group, represent the training agenda of the cultural industries. Core funding for the members of the Impact group is currently granted from a range of sources, including £194,000 from Resource to the Cultural Heritage National Training Organisation (CHNTO). Describing current arrangements determining the governance, funding and remit of NTOs as ?unsustainable? and inhibiting the delivery of their objectives, Chief Executive Neville Mackay has announced that Resource is to withdraw from direct core funding of CHNTO by April 2002. Instead, Resource will re-focus those funds on developmental and project work, though it will work with CHNTO to develop appropriate transitional arrangements that ensure the continuation of core functions until a new structure can be developed.
Core funding for the members of the Impact group is currently granted from a range of sources, including £194,000 from Resource to the Cultural Heritage National Training Organisation (CHNTO). Describing current arrangements determining the governance, funding and remit of NTOs as ?unsustainable? and inhibiting the delivery of their objectives, Chief Executive Neville Mackay has announced that Resource is to withdraw from direct core funding of CHNTO by April 2002. Instead, Resource will re-focus those funds on developmental and project work, though it will work with CHNTO to develop appropriate transitional arrangements that ensure the continuation of core functions until a new structure can be developed.

The announcement has been made in response to the Department for Education and Employment?s (DfEE) consultation paper, ?Building a Stronger Network : developing the role of the National Training Organisations?. In its response to the consultation, Resource emphasises its commitment to the existence of a strong and effective network of NTOs, but demands greater clarity about their central purpose, and the establishment of more sustainable funding arrangements to underpin their work. According to Resource, the relationship between the NTOs and DfEE agendas needs to be clarified, and there should be closer collaboration between the NTOs and Resource. In announcing changes to its funding arrangements for CHNTO, Resource hopes to put pressure on the DfEE to take greater responsibility for the core funding of the NTOs, leaving other agencies to support project funding related to their own agendas. Peter Windsor, Workforce Development Advisor for Resource, said ?There is widespread acknowledgement that the present funding structure is simply not working. The NTOs are under-appreciated because they face heavy demands and are under funded. Creating fewer, but larger and better-resourced NTOs which are core funded by the DfEE would go some way to addressing the problems.?