BIDDING PROSPECTUS FOR NEW EMPLOYER FUNDING FOR TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIPS

Developments in England

The UK Commission for Employment and Skills launched its bidding Prospectus for Employer Ownership of Skills on Tuesday 07 February 2012.

Previous Huckfield briefings on Employer Ownership Pilots have appeared here since Wednesday 07 December 2011.

The Bidding_Timetable and details of Briefing Sessions are shown below.

In The Prospectus launched on Tuesday 07 February 2012 employers will be invited to bid under a new £250 million Government fund which will provide funding directly to them for investment in training which they require. Learners and apprentices to benefit under this programme will start in September 2012.

Promotional events will be held in nine English cities during February and March. Applications should be submitted by April 2012. The Programme will be promoted and taken forward with the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) with scoring and appraisal carried out inhouse by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills Above all, the Coalition Government seeks innovative solutions to deliver training and skills development.

This is a rapidly developing situation and as developments unfold, further Huckfield briefings will be posted about new funding for employer involvement in design and delivery of skills and qualifications. 

Bidding Timetable

The Prospectus for Employer Ownership of Skills on page 11 shows the bidding timetable:

  • Webinar taking place throughout March and April 2012
  • Full application form and guidance published towards the end of February 2012
  • Deadline for employer registration – 13 April 2012
  • Deadline for submission of full applications 26 – April 2012
  • Decisions and applicant feedback – June/July 2012
  • Delivery to commence August 2012 onwards


Briefing Sessions

The Prospectus for Employer Ownership of Skills on page 11 shows the timetable for Briefing Sessions. Potential Bidders can register online to attend Employer Ownership Briefing Sessions, which are from 0800 till 1000 as follows:

  • Manchester – Tuesday 06 March 2012
  • London Wednesday – 07 March 2012
  • Birmingham Wednesday – 14 March 2012
  • Leeds Thursday – 15 March 2012
  • Sheffield Wednesday – 21 March 2012
  • Bristol Tuesday – 27 March 2012
  • Newcastle Wednesday – 28 March 2012
  • Nottingham Tuesday – 03 April 2012
  • Liverpool Wednesday – 04 April 2012

Developments in Scotland

A series of reports in Scotland have called for greater involvement of employers in the design and delivery of skills.

UK Commission for Employment and Skills “Review of Employment and Skills”(Scotland)

In July 2011 the United Kingdom Commission for Employment and Skills published its “Review of Employment and Skills” in Scotland.

On page 25 under “Customer Focus: What is the Challenge”,  the Report said:

“…………… Although there is evidence of customer involvement in design and delivery of provision in the skills system, and employer involvement in co-design of services for large-scale recruitment, this is not a regular and consistent feature across the whole range of employment and skills services.

“Review of Post-16 Education and Vocational Training in Scotland”

In August 2011, on page 71 Willy Roe’s Report recommends the creation of Business Education Networks at local level:

“At the level of each local authority (or combination of local authorities) there should be established a Business-Education Network to co-ordinate and extend the wide range of connections that exist (or will be created in the coming years) between businesses, schools, colleges, and training providers. Some places in Scotland already have a vehicle of this kind. The Networks should be co-funded from the private and public sectors”.

“Preparing Learners in Scotland’s Colleges for Employment or Further Study”  

“Preparing Learners in Scotland’s Colleges for Employment or Further Study” August 2011 is an aspect report on provision in Scotland’s Colleges by HM Inspectors on behalf of the Scottish Funding Council. The Report says on page 17:

“However, in many subject areas in many colleges, advisory groups are not effective in bringing employers and programme teams together for the benefit of the college, employers and learners”.

“Putting Learners at the Centre: Delivering our Ambitions for Post-16 Education” 

Following this, the Scottish Government’s “Putting Learners at the Centre: Delivering our Ambitions for Post-16 Education published in September 2011 on page 32 said:

“We will improve this situation, where necessary looking at radically alternative models which put employers in the driving seat”

Further Developments

Further developments as they occur will be posted in future Huckfield briefings.