Welcome

The Skills Funding Agency’srole in ESF

Presented by Tony Skeel

• How we have been working

• What we have funded

• Points to note on transition

• The policy messages

Overview

• Regional Co-financing Plans

• National procurement

• Working on a large footprint– Regional contracts – the ‘old’ south west– Local authorities, or multiples of LAs

• National Specifications – with local variation

• A consistent approach to contract management – – Managing performance– Audit– Performance data – Publicity

How we have been working

Priority 1 – Extending employment opportunities

• Activities for NEETs 14-19– 7 contracts up to end of 2013, currently procuring up to July 2015.

• Skills Support for the Unemployed– 3 contracts up to end of July 2015.

• Community Grants– A single contract up to the end of 2013, planning further

procurement up to end July 2015.

What we have funded

Priority 2 – Developing a Skilled and Adaptable Workforce

• Skills Support for Redundancy– 2 contracts up to end of July 2015.

• Workplace Learning– A single contract up to end July 2015.

• Skills Support for the Workplace– Contracts based on LEP priorities and procured on LEP footprints– 2 strands – the core programme and the Local Response Fund

What we have funded

• The Skills Funding Agency will have an ESF Co-financed programme until end July 2015

• No clarity yet on the roles across government in relation to the the new programme

• Procurement on Skills Support for the Workforce specifically worked with LEP priorities

• Managing expectations and supporting a legacy

Points to note on

transition

• Preliminary Guidance to LEPs and the technical annex

• Rigour and Responsiveness

• Structural funds allocations confirmed

• The Comprehensive Spending Review 2015/16– £500m from BIS to LEPs - £330m capital and £170m revenue

The policy messages