Colleges and training providers are being asked how prepared they are for Brexit by the Education and Skills Funding Agency.
The latest update from the agency, published today, asks FE providers to complete a survey on their level of “readiness and confidence” ahead of the UK’s planned departure from the EU.
“The results from these surveys will be used to determine what further advice sectors may need from government to support their preparations ahead of 31 October,” its introduction reads.
Questions cover whether providers have informed students and staff from the EU about the immigration arrangements after Brexit in the event of a deal or a no deal, and arrangements for all EU and non-EU migrants from 2021.
The ESFA also wants to know if FE providers have advised prospective and current students “how they can find more information about their eligibility for funding and places in relation to academic year 2019 to 2020 and 2020 to 2021”.
It also asks whether providers have contacted food suppliers to make sure they are planning for the potential impacts of a no deal Brexit by ensuring their secondary suppliers are prepared and plans are in place to adapt menus.
“As a priority, the department would be grateful if providers could arrange for an appropriate person to complete the short survey by Friday 27 September,” the ESFA said.
The Department for Education put out advice for FE and apprenticeship providers earlier this year which said EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens who qualify for the EU Settlement Scheme would remain eligible for funding for FE courses and apprenticeships in England after Brexit.
It also said the UK could only continue to participate in the European Social Fund programmes until their closure if the UK left with a deal.
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