The Consortium launches new services to support schools

May 13, 2011 - PRLog -- Educational Supplier of the Year, The Consortium, has launched a new range of services designed to help schools provide safe and affordable premises.

The Consortium Services have been developed in response to the increasing legislative and financial pressures being faced by leadership teams. Amongst schools’ greatest concerns are the complexity and extent of statutory compliance, health and safety, and legal responsibilities. Managing rising energy and food costs is also challenging, particularly with the tough budget pressures many areas of education are experiencing this year.

The Consortium will help schools manage these issues by providing, in conjunction with their key partners from areas such as telecoms, utilities, food and property management, a choice of services to support plan, create and operate better and safer learning environments more cost-effectively.

The services will include support with managing statutory compliance and health and safety so schools can feel confident about meeting their responsibilities in owning, occupying and operating their premises. The Consortium Services also offer bespoke premises development planning, project management and procurement services to support the successful delivery of building projects.

Getting best value from school budgets is at the heart of what The Consortium Services offers so there are new services from energy, telecoms and food providers so schools can be sure they are getting the best value from their expenditure.

Traditionally these services would have been procured centrally at Local Authority level, however many schools are now finding themselves with the opportunity to manage their own procurement for the first time, sourcing services from their choice of commercial companies.

The Consortium is known for providing cost-effective solutions that are easy to access and simple to order, as well as delivering excellent customer service so schools can have confidence that they can go to a known and trusted supplier even if they have not sourced these services for themselves before.

Simon Leggett, Sales and Marketing Director at The Consortium commented: “We are taking an all encompassing approach to not only the provision of products but also services to offer schools more choice. This will allow them to focus on their educational priorities and not spending unnecessary time managing their supply chain”.

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The Consortium is a national procurement and fulfilment business based in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, focussed on meeting the needs of its many customers in the Social Care, Education, Early Years and Training Sectors. It is the UK’s largest independent education supplier. With 40 years experience, the company offers a one-stop shop to over 25,000 customers in the UK. The Consortium procures goods from ethical, sustainable sources and has taken positive action to reduce the amount of packaging in their deliveries; some of which are now made by electrically powered goods vehicles.

• Winner: Education Resources Supplier of the Year Award 2010 & 2011
• Finalist: European Supply Chain Awards 2010
• Identified by The Sunday Times Best Companies Survey 2011 as ‘One to Watch’
• Winner: Wiltshire Business Award for Customer and Staff Care 2009
• Member of the UN global compact – www.unglobalcompact.org
• has ISO14001 environment management systems and standards