Wales Union Learning Fund Prospectus 2013-2016

September 2012

Wales Union Learning FundProspectus 2013–2016Skills and Employment:Working with Unions

Digital ISBN 978 0 7504 7896 0

© Crown copyright 2012

WG16172

Foreword

2013–16 WULF DeliveryIt’s time to light up the unionised workforce in Wales

Union-led Learning is a key part of the Welsh Government’s ‘Programme for Government’. We believe that learning can change lives and, by improving Welsh skills for employment, can ultimately lead to a strong and vibrant Wales.

Raising the skills of the Welsh workforce is vital if we are to prosper as a nation and trade unions are playing a vital part in this process by making learning a fundamental part of their core business.

The Wales TUC plays a pivotal role in making WULF and other aspects of union-led learning a success. This Wales TUC and Welsh Government partnership is crucial to the success of union-led learning and WULF.

Since the launch of WULF in 1999, WULF projects have assisted in a wide range of learning, working with individuals, employers, learning providers and many others.

During the lifetime of WULF, there have been many innovative and imaginative projects, ranging from learning centres in workplaces to delivering language learning to migrant workers in Wales. To date WULF has assisted 166 projects with nearly £13m provided by the Welsh Government.

Wales TUC and DfES officials have been working together to strengthen the alignment of current and new WULF projects within Welsh Government policy and programmes aimed at improving essential skills in the workplace. This has included the agreement of focussed objectives, targets and referral processes.

We must all commit to expanding on these achievements through a continuation of this joined up approach.

We look forward to receiving bids from a wide range of unions, both small and large, and to working with many of you to achieve still greater success through WULF projects, over the months and years ahead.

Jeff Cuthbert AM Deputy Minister for Skills, Welsh Government

Martin MansfieldGeneral Secretary, Wales TUC Cymru

Jeff Cuthbert AM Martin Mansfield

Wales Union Learning Fund

2013–16 WULF Delivery

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1. The Aims and Objectives of the Wales Union Learning Fund

The Wales Union Learning Fund (WULF) aims to identify and implement learning opportunities in the workplace in order to ensure that employees have the skills required to carry out their work to the best of their ability. Through the establishment and operation of a diverse range of WULF projects across all sectors and regions in Wales, Trade Unions are providing a key contribution to the achievement of the Welsh Government’s workforce development objectives as outlined in the Programme for Government: http://wales.gov.uk/about/programmeforgovernment/?lang=en

The key aims of the Fund are to:

• raisetheskillsoftheworkforceby supporting trade union led learning activity, in partnership with employers and others, which focuses on addressing essential skills issues in the workplace and leads to progression onto mainstream learning programmes such as Essential Skills in the Workplace;

• increasethetake-upoflearningby non-traditional learners; and overcome barriers to learning arising from structural, personal, occupational or work-based factors.

WULF’s specific objectives are to:

• increasetradeunions’capacitytopromote learning. This is not only about providing new facilities and materials, but also about developing an integrated and systematic long-term approach to promoting learning centred around essential skills;

• developinnovativewaysofencouraging learning. This includes developing new or different ways of promoting the benefits of addressing essential skills issues and encouraging further learning through agreements with local providers. Using case studies to identify and promote good practice to the wider workforce is desirable;

• provideadditionaladvice,guidanceand support for learners. This can be provided in partnership with employers and should add to the existing range of support services;

• widenparticipation.Breakdownbarriers to learning in the workplace by supporting interventions which focus on equality of opportunity, reducing social exclusion, and engaging non-traditional learners;

• significantlyimproveessentialskillsinthe workforce for example by providing opportunities for employees to learn at all levels in a relevant and flexible way, for example by promoting uptake of the ‘Essential Skills in the Workplace” programme, by developing and/or providing appropriate learning in the workplace that meets the needs of the learner.

• formpartof,andaddvalueto,aunion’s strategy for learning;

• supportandfostereffectivepartnership activity between employers, other trades unions, essential skills learning providers, Sector Skills Councils and community based organisations in order to encourage more people into learning;

• createsustainabilitybylinkingwithessential skills providers to encourage the continuation of learning beyond the initial WULF learning period. This will require

Prospectus 2013– 2016

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the commitment and agreement of key partners such as participating employers, ESIW providers and other unions.

This prospectus invites bids for the 2013 round of the Wales Union Learning Fund

2. A Strategic Approach

Evaluation of previous WULF activity has highlighted its positive impact on workforce development in Wales. This prospectus invites proposals that build on that foundation by giving priority to projects which:

• supportandencourageessentialskills learning and in particular the ‘Essential Skills in the Workplace’ programme;

• provideopportunitiesforemployeesto develop their skills and progress to further learning within the Essential Skills Wales framework;

• demonstrateeffectivesupportforspecific employment sectors and work with the appropriate Sector Skills Councils to identify and address need and to break down barriers to learning in the workplace.

3. What can be Funded and for How Long?

The usual lifespan of each WULF project will be 36 months. However, in exceptional circumstances, trade unions can bid to run a project over 24 months if the benefit of a shorter project can be demonstrated. All funding is allocated on a needs based and is dependant on the Welsh Government national budget approval yearly.

Projects can start on or after 1st April 2013 but must be completed by the following dates:

• 24monthprojectsby31st March 2015

•36monthprojectsby31st March 2016

The maximum funding available for each project is as follows:

•24monthprojects£125,000

•36monthprojects£200,000

The Welsh Government will consider WULF proposals that meet the aims and objectives set out above. Projects should form part of a wider union strategy for learning that develops new approaches to learning in the workplace or spread best practice. Please note that WULF proposals should focus on addressing essential skills in the workplace and cannot be used to support higher education.

All projects must clearly demonstrate an element of joint working with partners (see criteria). Support is not available for projects, which focus on unions’ negotiating or bargaining role with employers, membership recruitment, the training of Union Representatives (including Union Learning Representatives), careers advice and guidance, or for projects which replace employer-funded training.

WULF funding may be used for non-formal and informal learning, including provision that results in qualifications and provision that is not qualifications-based providing the focus of the training is essential skills.



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Consideration should be given to quality and value for money when submitting a WULF proposal.

Leisure orientated courses and their learning outcomes must be linked to the aims and objectives of the project.

Once an application has been approved, prior agreement must be sought from the Welsh Government if there is any doubt over whether a particular learning activity is eligible for WULF funding within the agreed project outcomes.

Where applications involve the supply of new or improved facilities (capital expenditure), such as the hire of learning centres or IT equipment, it will be necessary to demonstrate that this is directly linked to the delivery of learning. If equipment is to be purchased, this shall be limited to a maximum of 10% of the total value of the proposal and the proposal should explain how this will be used during the life of the project and after the project ends

Examples of activities eligible for WULF funding include:

• supportingthecostoflearningprovision such as the development of new courses, buying-in learning provision and the travel costs of learners, where these costs are not covered by other means, including other publicly funded provision;

• salariesofprojectstaffandassociatedcosts for the duration of the contract, providing these align with staff undertaking a similar role within the organisation;

• marketing,publicityanddissemination linked to the promotion of essential skills training;

• settingupandequippingoflearning centres; and

• developingstrategiesforunion-led learning), developing new approaches to learning or consolidating and spreading best practice.

4. Eligibility and Responsibilities of Applicants

Any certificated trade union with members based in Wales, whether or not it is affiliated to the Trades Union Congress is eligible to apply for WULF funding. Applications are particularly welcome from trade unions working in partnership with others for example, employers and/or education and training providers. All partnership working will be considered including working with organisations such as Local Authorities, voluntary and community-based organisations and Sector Skills Councils.

Applications must include a letter of support from each partner detailing their commitment and contribution to the project. Applications must show that projects can be successfully completed within the time frames outlined in paragraph 3 above. It is the responsibility of each applicant to ensure that the terms and conditions and eligibility requirements pertaining to the use of WULF funding are understood prior to signing the grant agreement. The Welsh Government will undertake regular monitoring of grant


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agreements to ensure compliance with programme requirements and financial probity.

All WULF Projects are expected to identify and respond to demands for learning. As a result, each project will be expected to conduct a Learning Needs Analysis within the first year of the project to clearly demonstrate the need for learning. If a Learning Needs Analysis has already been carried out, it should be submitted with the application as evidence of need.

Budgetsshouldbedetailedandasaccurateas possible and the Welsh Government will monitor spend closely to ensure delivery is on track, especially in the first year of a project. Any unspent funding cannot be carried forward from one financial year to the next except in exceptional circumstances and only with the explicit consent of the Welsh Government.

If applicants anticipate that they are unable to spend the agreed amount of funding made available to a project in any financial year (by the final claim date in that financial year), then the Welsh Government should be notified of this by 31 October in the relevant financial year. The Welsh Government will contact project applicants at this time to discuss spend against budget and identify potential underspend and/or proposed changes to contract. Advice and support is available throughout the duration of the project from Wales TUC Learning Services.

5. Support

All new Project Managers who have not attended the accredited Project Management course delivered by Wales TUC will be expected to attend this course at their earliest convenience. Project Workers and key Union Learning Representatives may also attend this course if places are available.

Each new project will be required to discuss and agree an appropriate support package with the Wales TUC (Service Level Agreement).

Each new project will be expected to work in partnership with the Essential Skills in the Workplace, business engagement framework throughpartnershipwithMenteraBusness

6. How will the Money be Allocated?

This is a discretionary grant scheme approved by Welsh Ministers and administered by Welsh Government officials on their behalf.

In administering the grant, advice will be sought from the WULF Assessment Panel which is made up of nominees from the Wales TUC,CBIandDfES.

Applications will be considered and assessed by the Panel against the criteria in this prospectus. The panel will give due consideration to under-represented sectors and prevailing economic conditions when evaluating evidence of need. The Panel will then make recommendations to the Deputy Minister for Skills for consideration and approval.



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7. Additionality

Additional support for learning is available from a number of other sources including Welsh Government-funded programmes and those funded by the European Social Fund further advice and support can be obtained from Welsh Government and Wales TUC Learning Services if required.

8. What Criteria will be used in Assessing Applications?

When drafting bids, applicants should not assume that the WULF Assessment Panel has any prior knowledge of their sector, business or, any learning activity carried out by trade unions.

Applicants should consider commercial sensitivity, data protection, health and safety, etc when family or community learning is proposed within a workplace.

The value of each application will be assessed against the criteria set out below.

Each criterion carries a weighted score, details of which can be found below and on the WULF application form.

a) Evidence of need (a maximum of 25 points)

Applications must show the evidence that has been used as the basis for the project bid. This might include a profile of learning and skills needs of project target groups; surveys of employees and employers; learning needs assessments; the vulnerability of employment

within target groups; intelligence from Sector Skills Councils; other research such as that undertaken by academics, the Welsh Government etc;

b) Valid objectives with clear measurable targets and expected outcomes (a maximum of 10 points)

Applications must contain Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Related (SMART) targets, objectives and outcomes. Applicants must state clearly what it is their project intends to achieve and what activity will be undertaken in order to meet the objectives and targets including softer, qualitative targets. Applications should show how learning outcomes have or will be identified.

c) Widening participation and breaking down barriers to learning in the workplace (a maximum of 10 points)

For example a focus on equality of opportunities, social exclusion, vulnerable or atypical workers and non-traditional learners. WULF gives priority to projects that widen access to lifelong learning for people in Wales irrespective of their background or current personal circumstances.

d) Forming part of, and adding value to a Union’s own strategy for learning (a maximum of 5 points)

If your Union does not have a strategy for learning you may wish to say something about how your project might help to develop such a strategy.


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e) Contribution towards the Programme for Government agenda in respect of addressing essential skills in the workplace (a maximum of 25 points)

Will proposals significantly improve essential skills in the workforce (e.g. does it support the Essential Skills in the Workplace Programme), and/or demonstrate effective support for specific employment sectors?

f) Promoting Partnership (a maximum of 10 points)

Does it demonstrate effective partnership, for example with employers, other trades unions, learning providers, Sector Skills Councils and community based organisations, in an effort to maximise the education and training opportunities available?

Please note that partners who are named in the bid must provide a letter of support outlining their commitment to the project. These letters must be attached to the bid at the time of submission to the Wales TUC.

g) Sustainability (a maximum of 5 points)

Does it demonstrate potential to create and support a learning culture beyond the project period? Applications should indicate how trades union policies, systems, working practices and future resource planning (including staffing) will evolve to help sustain learning activities and services.

h) Project Planning and Management (a maximum of 5 points)

Is the project timetable detailed and realistic? Does it contain key milestones e.g. appointment of project staff, completion of Learning Needs Analyses, launch date, course dates etc? Forecasting outcomes provides the basis for planning your project and measuring its progress against objectives and targets. Forecasting outcomes should also be related to forecasting the spending

profile of the project. Does the project demonstrate effective mechanisms for project management? Applications must show how the project will be managed and how outcomes are going to be achieved. Refer for example to the role of steering groups, Project Managers and Project Workers.

Applicants must also demonstrate how their project will be linked to and supported by their wider union infrastructure and/or, linked to other project partners and schemes.

i) Monitoring and Evaluation Arrangements (a maximum of 5 points)

Does it demonstrate effective mechanisms for monitoring and either internal or external evaluation? Set out what arrangements will be put in place to monitor and evaluate the project. Applications should cover what information will be collected, who will collect it, how it will be collected, when it will be collected, how it will be reported back and how the findings will inform future delivery.

Please note that the Project Manager will be responsible for completing:

• anannualreviewoftheproject;

• theprojectEvaluationReport.Thisreport will replace the final project progress report and must be submitted within one month of the project completion date.



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The Wales TUC can provide templates for both of these reports.

The WULF Assessment Panel will score each application against the above criteria. The Panel may give due consideration to under-represented sectors and prevailing economic conditions when assessing evidence of need.

9. The Application Process

All applications must be made on the WULF application form provided. They should be made by one eligible organisation and signed by an appropriate senior official within the organisation.

N.B. Only applications submitted on the WULF Application Form will be accepted.

The Wales TUC Learning Services team can provide advice and support to trade unions considering applying for a grant from the Wales Union Learning Fund.

For further information on submitting an application please contact the Wales TUC at the address shown below.

10. How Payment will be made to Successful Applicants

Payment of grant will be made quarterly in arrears upon receipt of an accurate and complete claim accompanied by a copy of paid third party invoices and a progress report. It is recommended that a Project Manager is appointed to ensure that the

project is kept on track and that grant claims are submitted on time. The Welsh Government must be consulted over any changes to project timings, outcomes, activities or patterns of expenditure.

11. What are the Deadlines?

Applications must be submitted by 31 October 2012.

Approved Projects can start on or after 1st April 2013 but must be completed by the following dates:



Please send an electronic copy and a signed hard copy of the completed application form (with one copy of all accompanying information e.g. letters of support) to:

Katrina Wood, Project Worker Wales TUC Learning Services Transport House 1 Cathedral Road Cardiff CF11 9SD

Tel: 029 2034 7010 Mobile: 07799414843 Fax: 029 2022 1940 E-mail: [email protected]

Prospectus 2011 – 2014

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12. What Happens Next?

The WULF Assessment Panel will meet to discuss and assess project applications in November 2012.

Applicants will receive feedback by the end of January 2013 to notify them of the outcome of their application and this will set out any further points for clarification or negotiation.

Grant Agreements will be issued as soon as final negotiations are complete.



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Helpful Links and Possible Partners

Wales TUC Learning Services: Tel: 029 2034 7010www.wtuclearn.org.uk

Wales TUC: www.tuc.org.uk/tuc/regions_info_wales.cfm

Ufi Cymru / Learndirect:www.ufi.com/home2 www.learndirect.co.uk/wales-eng/www.learndirect.co.uk/wales-cym/

Careers Wales:www.careerswales.com/adults/serverphp? show=nav.2206

Alliance of Sector Skills Councils:www.sscalliance.org/home/[email protected]: 029 2044 4135

ReAct:www.careerswales.com(Look under – ‘Adults’ – ‘Help and Support’ – Facing Redundancy’)

Skills Growth Wales:http://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/foremployers/proactskillsgrowthwales/?lang=enTel: 0845 60 661 60

Job Centre Plus:www.direct.gov.uk

Niace Dysgu Cymru:www.niacedc.org.uk

Learning and Skills Observatory Wales:www.learningobservatory.com

Documents

Wales Union Learning Fund Prospectus 2013-2016