Acas stands for Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service. Acas aim to improve organisations and working life through better employment relations. Acas help with employment relations by supplying up-to-date information, independent advice and high quality training, and working with employers and employees to solve problems and improve performance. Although largely funded by the Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS), Acas is a non-departmental body, governed by an independent Council. This allows Acas to be independent, impartial and confidential. Founded in 1975, Acas have over 30 years' experience of working with people in organisations of every size and type.

Action with Communities in Rural England is the national umbrella body of the Rural Community Action Network (RCAN), which operates at national, regional and local level in support of rural communities across the country. ACRE aim to promote a healthy, vibrant and sustainable rural community sector that is well connected to policy and decision-makers who play a part in delivering this aim. ACRE’s organisational vision is to provide a rural community development centre of expertise that is extensively used by policy makers and practitioners.

Adult Learners’ Week is the UK’s largest and longest running learning campaign. Held each May, it encourages thousands of adults, whatever their age and background, to give learning a go. Adult Learners’ Week will take place from 15-21 May 2010.

The Alliance is an organisation comprising all 25 licensed UK Sector Skills Councils (SSCs), the employer-driven organisations that together articulate the voice of the employers of around 90% of the UK's workforce on skills issues. Its core purpose is to: act as the collective voice of the SSCs, promote understanding of the role of SSCs within the skills system across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, co-ordinate policy positions and strategic work on skills with stakeholders across the four home nations and to help build the performance capability of the SSCs to ensure they continue to work effectively on the employer-driven skills agenda

Asset Skills is the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for facilities management, housing, property, planning, cleaning and parking. Asset Skills work with business, public and professional bodies and learning providers to ensure the training employers need is available to meet their current and future skills requirements.

ACEVO is the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations and are the leading voice for chief executives in the third sector. With over 2,000 members nationwide, ACEVO support, develop, connect and represent third sector’s leaders. ACEVO offer a variety of services to their members including access to a wide range of professional publications, free help lines covering areas such as HR, fundraising and accountancy and discounted special services from management consultancy services.

The IMI is the professional association for individuals working in the motor industry, The Institute is the Sector Skills Council for the automotive retail industry and the governing body for the Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) scheme.

The British Association of Settlements and Social Action Centres (bassac) is is a membership body for key community organisations. Bassac's vision is for neighbourhoods in which people can thrive and fulfil their potential, whoever they are and wherever they live. Bassac's mission is to harness the power of working collectively. Through forming and leading partnerships we will allow our members to release the power of community voices and achieve social justice in their neighbourhoods.

Resources for adult learners, parents, teachers and school students covering topics such as revision, spelling, ICT, homework, classroom resources, science and languages. Interactive resources are offered alongside learning subjects such as gardening to suit all.

Becta is the government agency leading the national drive to ensure the effective and innovative use of technology throughout learning. Becta's role is to ensure that technology is used at its best in the British education system. Becta work to make sure technology is used effectively – maximising the gains to our teachers and learners. Becta also work to make sure technology is used efficiently – so that they achieve the greatest benefits for the least cost, and save money for the system. Becta work mainly with the Government departments within DCSF (Department for Children Schools and Families) and BIS (Business innovation and Skills)

Every Year the Big Lottery Fund gives out millions of pounds to good causes. Their money goes to community groups and to projects that improve health, education and the environment.

Birchwood Access and Training Centre currently deliver accredited learning of English, Maths, ICT from first steps to ECDL Advanced. Birchwood Access and Training Centre are a delivery partner for the Skills for Jobs, which encompasses such things as Confidence, motivation, job search and application forms to name a few. Other services such as Community Larder, Citizens Advice Bureau and Family Support Officers are available.

Established in 1862, Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln enjoys a long-standing reputation as an independent Anglican higher education institution. Situated on a beautiful campus in the heart of uphill Lincoln, Bishop Grosseteste University College offer high quality courses at foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate level, in addition to a variety of opportunities for professional development.

Boston College has been providing high quality further education and training to local students over the age of 16 yrs. During the last ten years, it has expanded this provision to reach students from over 20 countries around the world, and to provide courses up to and including degree level. More recently, the Pathfinder scheme has enabled 14-25 year olds to attend Boston College to experience vocational courses.

Businessballs is a free ethical learning and development resource for people and organizations. Businessballs materials are free to use for anyone in education, personal development, management, leadership and organizational development (for example teachers, trainers and lecturers) within your own materials. For these purposes you can print, copy, cut and paste or adapt the materials from this website. For this usage please show the appropriate copyright, website source and disclaimer details relating to the material(s) in question.

BusinessLink.gov.uk provide instant access to clear, simple and trustworthy information. The site has been developed in partnership with subject experts within government and relevant business support organisations to help organisations to comply with regulations and improve their performance. There are also over 600 guides offering practical advice for business on all aspects of business. Organisations can also access local advice and support online, by phone and face-to-face from regional Business Link operators across England.

The Cabinet Office sits at the very centre of government and, together with the Treasury, provides the ‘head office’ of government. The Cabinet Office has an overarching purpose of Making government work better. The Department has three core functions that enable it to achieve this overarching purpose: Supporting the Prime Minister – to define and deliver the Government's objectives. Supporting the Cabinet – to drive the coherence, quality and delivery of policy and operations across departments. Strengthening the Civil Service – to ensure the civil service is organised effectively and has the capability in terms of skills, values and leadership to deliver the Government's objectives.

The Central Office of Information (COI) is the Government's centre of excellence for marketing and communications. COI works with government departments and the public sector to produce information campaigns on issues that affect the lives of every citizen - from health and education to benefits, rights and welfare. COI provides consultancy, procurement and project management in every area of communications and strives to achieve best value for government in each of its service groups.

CG Partnership is a training consultancy based in Market Rasen, Lincolnshire. CG Partnership specialises in innovative community-based projects that are concerned with widening participation in learning. Many of CG Partnership’s projects have sought to develop rural provision in adult education and training. CG Partnership also work on a consultancy basis to a wide range of organisations.

The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) is a registered charity that works to create greater value for charities and social enterprise. CAF do this by transforming the way donations are made and the way charitable funds are managed. CAF also help shape the charitable sector through their research and events.