Archive for July, 2011
The Data Service – LIS – Learner Information Suite 19.01 Beta Version
Posted by Graham in Skills Sector on July 31, 2011
The Data Service has now published the LIS 19.01 Beta V1.05 for learning providers and software suppliers/writers. This is now available to download from the LIS 19.01 Beta version webpage.This release is still in development and is available for all LIS users to download. We encourage users to report issues found in using the Beta release by sending an email to lis19betaqueries@thedataservice.org.uk. Further information can be found in the Beta Release Guide.
Read more via The Data Service – Services – Data Collection – Software – LIS – Learner Information Suite 19.01 Beta Version.
Skills Funding Agency – Financial Management and Control Evaluation (FMCE)
Posted by Graham in Skills Sector on July 31, 2011
The SFA has published the following on its website relating to Financial Management and Control Evaluation…
The submission deadline for both the short and the full Financial Management and Control Evaluation return is 30 November 2011.
Providers should complete their Financial Management and Control Evaluation (FMCE) return electronically and once approved, the FMCE return should be uploaded to the Provider Gateway in the Provider Financial Managment (PFM) – FMCE folder within PFM reports on the Provider Gateway…….
Read the rest of this article via Skills Funding Agency – Providers – Financial information and guidance – Financial assurance – Financial Management and Control Evaluation – Financial Management and Control Evaluation.
LSIS Policy Update 8 – 29 July 2011
Posted by Graham in Skills Sector on July 31, 2011
LSIS has published its latest Policy Update – Highlights from this edition include:
- David Cameron announces support for 10,000 Higher Apprenticeships;
- Details of the Hughes Report on access to higher education;
- Swindon and Wiltshire joins local enterprise partnership network;
- Details of proposed changes to the teacher disciplinary and induction regulations;
- £10 million fund for charities and social enterprises to ‘kick start’ Big Society public services; and
- Details of funding to boost innovation and the role of the voluntary sector in health and social care.
This and previous issues of the Policy Update are available to download from our website
FE Week – Thousands of apprentices face uncertainty as training provider goes bust
Posted by Graham in Skills Sector on July 29, 2011
LSECT has published the following on 29th Jul y 2011……
Around 140 staff have lost their jobs after a major subcontractor for one of the country’s largest further education and enterprises, Newcastle College Group (NCG), suddenly went into administration this month.
Staff say they knew nothing of Ethical Skills Training’s (EST) financial predicament until it was sprung upon them by chief executive Elaine Barrett. EST’s demise has also left thousands of apprentices facing uncertainty.
Read the rest of this article via Thousands of apprentices face uncertainty as training provider goes bust | FE Week.
AELP | Topics | The AELP 2011 National Conference – presentation slides
Posted by Graham in Skills Sector on July 29, 2011
This has just appeared on the AELP website.
The AELP 2011 National Conference has passed and to view presentation slides please click on the downloadable files below. Both plenary and workshop presentations are available for your review, from both Day 1 and Day 2.
Video Interviews
As the media sponsor for the Association of Employment and Learning Providers’ (AELP) flagship 2011 conference, FE News brings you the highlights from both days. To view the and listen to some of the key speakers of the two day conference, including John Hayes and Chris Grayling, Ministers for Skills and Employment, respectively, to head the government’s presence; plus the respective heads of the Skills Funding Agency, the Young People’s Learning Agency and the National Apprenticeship Service, and many more, click on the link below.
Please click on the following link to a RSS feed of all of the video interviews shot of all speakers attending the conference, by Fe News, the media sponsor.
http://www.fenews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_rd_rss&id=5
You can access the download page for all the presentations via AELP | Topics | The AELP 2011 National Conference – presentation slides.
The Information Authority – Guidance on learner transfers due to Minimum Contract Levels
Posted by Graham in Skills Sector on July 27, 2011
The information authority has published guidance on the process to be followed for the transfer of learner records for providers holding contracts in 2010/11 with the Skills Funding Agency who will no longer hold contracts in 2011/12, specifically those becoming sub-contractors or those merging with other contract holding providers in 2011/12.
The process has been agreed by the Data Service and the information authority and is in two parts: the first for the 2010/11 contract holding provider, and the second for the provider becoming the new contract holder in 2011/12.
The guidance is available on the ILR Guidance Documents for 2011/12 page, at http://www.theia.org.uk/ilr/ilrdocuments/201112_guidance.htm.
See the original article via The Information Authority – News – Data Updates – Guidance on learner transfers due to Minimum Contract Levels.
FE News – 157 Group publishes policy paper to free up adult qualifications system
Posted by Graham in Skills Sector on July 26, 2011
25 July 2011
The 157 Group of 27 large and regionally influential colleges has published a policy paper as part of calls to free up the qualifications system for adult learners.
Called Adult further education – the unfinished revolution, the policy paper sets out proposals aimed to enable greater choice and flexibility.
Read the rest of this article via 157 Group publishes policy paper to free up adult qualifications system – FE News.
BIS – Skills projects will boost growth across the economy
Posted by Graham in Skills Sector on July 26, 2011
18 July 2011
Business Secretary Vince Cable has announced Government backing for employer led projects to deliver the skills for growth in sectors ranging from healthcare to nuclear manufacturing.
Following the first round of applications to the £50m Growth and Innovation Fund, innovative proposals to deliver world class training in seven leading industries have been selected for further development.
Read more via Skills projects will boost growth across the economy | News | BIS.
The Engineer – Cameron announces fund to support higher apprenticeships
Posted by Graham in Skills Sector on July 25, 2011
22 July 2011
Prime minster David Cameron today announced details of a £25m fund aimed at supporting up to 10,000 advanced and higher apprenticeships.
According to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the Higher Apprenticeships Fund will support the expansion of apprenticeships up to degree equivalent in companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, where there is unmet demand for the higher-level skills.
Industry representatives — including those from advanced manufacturing, information technology and engineering — are now being invited to bid for the fund, which will be delivered via the National Apprenticeship Service. The new apprenticeships will commence from October 2011.
‘The Higher Apprenticeships Fund is a crucial step towards placing vocational learning on a par with academic study, giving bright youngsters the opportunity to work with and build the most dynamic firms in the country,’ said business secretary Vince Cable.
The £25m for the Higher Apprenticeships Fund is part of a package of additional investment in apprenticeships totalling £180m, announced in this year’s budget.
The fund will reportedly build on support offered to business via the Growth and Innovation Fund and the Growth Review, which are designed to target government support on companies and sectors that will benefit most from additional investment in skills training.
‘Apprenticeships make good business sense for young people and employers,’ said Nigel Whitehead, BAE Systems’ group managing director. ‘The advanced training offered by higher apprenticeships will help the UK meet its skills requirements over the next decade.’
via Cameron announces fund to support higher apprenticeships | News | The Engineer.
Skills Sector Update 