Visit ncfe.org.uk Call Contents. Section 1 SFA funding 2. Section 2 OLASS 3

Transcription

1 SFA funding a handy summary for June 2016

2 1 Contents Section 1 SFA funding 2 Section 2 OLASS 3 Section 3 Unemployed and local flexibility 3 Section 4 Eligibility principles 4 Section 5 Advanced Learner Loans 5 Section 6 Legal entitlements 6 Section 7 Community learning 6 Section 8 Apprenticeships 6 Section 9 European Social Fund (ESF) 6 Section 10 Learners eligible for Adult Education funding and funding entitlements 7

3 2 Section 1 SFA funding The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) is planning changes to the way that adult learning is funded in order to provide the basis for a simpler, more responsive adult education system. In a nutshell, the SFA is seeking to transfer control of the Adult Education Budget (AEB) to local government areas through devolution agreements. The principal purpose of the Adult Education Budget is to engage adults and provide the skills and learning they need to equip them for work, an apprenticeship or further learning (Adult Education Budget: Changing Context and Arrangements for 2016 to 2017, SFA) The main funding lines for are as follows: (EFA funded) Apprenticeships ESF Adult Education Budget (represented in the table below) Advanced Learner Loans Legal Entitlement Local Flexibilities Community Learning Levels 4-6 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 Entry Advanced Learner Loans Advanced Learner Loans Local Flexibility Local Flexibility Legal Entitlement to first full Level 2 or 3 Legal Entitlement to English and Maths

4 3 Section 2 OLASS This funding line will be the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice. The SFA are working with the Ministry of Justice and Department of Business, Innovation and Skills to finalise arrangements for OLASS provision for We ll share the arrangements once we have them. Section 3 Unemployed and local flexibility Unemployed learners will now access funding through local flexibility. Local flexibility recognises that local areas, colleges and training organisations are best placed to decide on the most appropriate type of training provision to meet local needs. It may or may not include qualifications but qualifications must be on the Regulated Qualification Framework.

5 4 Section 4 Eligibility principles Qualification must be available in England and for public funding this means they must be flagged on the Register as available for public funding. UK visa requirements qualification must not link to UK visa requirements. Vendor qualifications qualifications must not be linked to a specific employer. Licence to practice qualifications must not link to statutory employer requirements unless a national concession has been agreed. The following qualifications are available to specific groups of learners (unemployed) through local flexibility: fork-lift truck, food hygiene, health and safety and first aid at work. Appropriate content qualification should not be used to recognise activity that might already be part of the learner s experience, or is better delivered as a non-qualification bearing activity ie: work experience college or other learning or training induction self-improvement or self-confidence - if a qualification supports independent living skills, it should focus on progression in education and work.

6 5 Section 5 Advanced Learner Loans These are intended to help people aged 19+ to undertake vocational, technical and professional qualifications at Levels 3, 4, 5 and 6. Loans provide a source of fee support for learners. To be designated for Advanced Learner Loans, qualifications must support the following outcomes: progression to and through higherlevel technical and professional education and skills direct entry to a specific job role continuing professional development in an occupation upskilling or reskilling in an occupational area. The SFA is very keen for the Advanced Learner Loans offer to support: Government s Industrial Strategies and Industrial Partnerships Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects individuals wishing to take higher level skills (including digital skills). For qualifications to be eligible they must: be a minimum of 150 GLH or 15 credits in size be recognised or supported by professional bodies, employers or Higher Education for progression purposes.

7 6 Section 6 Legal entitlements Qualifications included in legal entitlements include: Vocational and general qualifications 16 to 23 core offer Tech Levels, Applied Generals, A-levels, AS-levels, Access to HE, Technical Certificates, GCSEs A limited number of other technical or professional qualifications from the RQF English and Maths English and Maths core offer GCSE English and Maths, Functional Skills in English and Maths In addition, a limited number of other stepping stone English and Maths qualifications from the RQF (including Free Standing Maths) For qualifications to be eligible they must be: available in England available for learners aged 19 and over. Section 7 Community learning Some colleges and training organisations may use part of their AEB to continue delivering their existing Community learning activity. Section 8 Apprenticeships Apprenticeships have their own funding rules and are funded outside of the AEB. Section 9 European Social Fund (ESF) This does not fall within the AEB and has its own funding line. ESF also funds standalone unit provision.

8 7 Section 10 Learners eligible for Adult Education funding and funding entitlements The SFA has provided a summary of funding contributions for specific age groups as follows: Provision year olds 24+ Unemployed 24+ Other English and maths up to and including Level 2 Learning to progress to Level 2 Level 2 (first and full) Level 3 (first and full) Loan funded (previously achieved Level 3 or above) Loan funded Loan funded Levels 4, 5 and 6 Loan funded Loan funded Loan funded Learning aims up to and including Level 2, where the learner has already achieved at Level 2 or above (unemployed) Traineeship (including 24 year olds) N/A N/A ESOL up to and including Level 2 (unemployed)