Forty six colleges will receive Enhanced Renewal Grants, the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) has announced.

The additional funding, worth up to £2 million per college, is part of a new two year Capital Programme launched by the Government in September.

Geoff Russell, chief executive of the SFA, said: “The Government’s willingness to make this additional investment is an indication of the crucial role that Further Education colleges can play in providing skills training to regenerate local communities and the economy.

“The standard of bids received was extremely high and we are pleased that some of the most innovative projects have been chosen with the result that more young people, adults and employers will benefit from up-to-date, inspirational learning facilities.”

The grants are part of a £100 million programme announced by skills minister John Hayes as part of the ‘New Challenges, New Chances’ report, published in August.

Nineteen additional applications are unlikely to be funded by the SFA, despite meeting the appropriate quality standards.

The SFA says some, or all of these bids could be accepted though if additional funds are made available.

A press release from the SFA states: “BIS and the Agency are considering possible additional funding options which might allow the projects to be funded.

“These colleges will be advised by the end of January 2012.

All 252 FE colleges were given a £100,000 Renewal Grant as part of the Capital Programme in November.

Colleges received the money provided they could put forward twice the allocated amount for a project considered “appropriate” by the SFA.

The ‘Enhanced Renewal Grant and Renewal Grant Phase 2, Application Guidance and Information Version 5’ states: “Colleges will have to confirm that the works will deliver clear benefits in terms of
improved condition of the college estate, benefits to learners, particularly learners with learning difficulties and disabilities and impact on urban and rural regeneration and that funding from the Agency can be drawn down and spent by 31 March 2012.”

The Enhanced Renewal Grant increases the funding to up to £2 mllion, although colleges will still need to supply twice the allocation to proceed with a project.

Colleges which have received an Enhanced Renewal Grant must complete the project by September 2013, and be operational by the start of the 2013/14 academic year.

The successful colleges include:

Barking and Dagenham College
Bexley College
Blackburn College
Boston College
Calderdale College
Cambridge Regional College
Canterbury College
Carlisle College
Chelmsford College
Chesterfield College
City of Bristol College
College of West Anglia
Cornwall College
Derby College
East Berkshire College
East Riding College
Filton College
Guildford College of Further and Higher Education
Hopwood Hall
Huntingdonshire Regional College
Leeds City College
Newcastle College
Northbrook College Sussex
Norton Radstock College
Norwich City College of F and HE
PETROC
Rotherham College of Arts and Technology
Salford City College
SEEVIC
Shrewsbury College of Arts & Technology
South Leicestershire College
South Staffordshire College
South Tyneside College
Stockport College
Stoke on Trent College
Telford College of Arts and Technology
Thanet College
The Bournemouth and Poole College
The Oldham College
Trafford College
Waltham Forest College
Warwickshire College
West Nottinghamshire College
Weston College
Wigan and Leigh College
Wirral Metropolitan College

The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) will become an Executive Agency following a review of its status.

Skills minister John Hayes, who announced a review of the Agency and its Chief Executive on November 1, said the change is consistent with the government’s commitment to improve transparency and accountability of public services.

By definition, the move means the Agency can deliver government services, but can not set policy. Legal powers rest with the Secretary of State, but they will be delegated to the Agency for day-to-day purposes.

However, it will mean no changes to the Agency’s staff, responsibility or functions.

A statement from the minister read: “The review has concluded that the existing arrangement of a statutory post holder should be replaced with a more traditional Executive Agency model.”

He went on to say it would provide “clarity and focus to the work of the Agency” and ensure “that skills and apprenticeship programmes are delivered within an overarching strategic framework” which is set by government.

The minister said: “The SFA will continue to play a vital role in funding the education and skills training that our country needs to tackle the very real challenges that lie ahead; and the outcome of this review reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to building on the strength of the further education system, whilst ensuring rigorous accountability structures are in place.”

“We will bring forward legislation for this change as and when Parliamentary time allows.”

In response, the Agency said it welcomed the outcome of the review.

A spokesperson said: “The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) will continue to sit within the SFA, and to lead on the delivery of the apprenticeship programme, with the Agency providing a financial management and contracting service.”

The spokesperson added: “The change in status to an Executive Agency does not imply any change to the functions, responsibilities or staffing structures of the SFA or NAS.

“The SFA and the NAS will work closely with BIS to make the implementation of this policy decision as smooth as possible, and we will continue to work closely together during this period to improve the operational effectiveness of all three organisations.”

An organisation whose apprenticeship programmes were placed under review has launched a new delivery model.

The De Vere Academy of Hospitality has launched their new apprenticeship programme, which will last a minimum of 12 months – a measure set out by skills minister John Hayes on Monday.

The firm says all apprentices will be in full employment with the De Vere group or its partners, following the successful completion of a short Access to Apprenticeships phase to prepare candidates to commence their apprenticeship.

It follows consultation with the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), as previously reported by FE Week, to redesign the academy’s apprenticeship programme to fit new apprenticeship standards.

Simon Waugh, NAS chief executive, said: “We are confident that the new delivery model proposed by De Vere, which provides young people with a minimum of 12 months programme, meets the comprehensive quality standards for Apprenticeship announced today, as well as continuing to meet the specific needs of employers in the sector and young people wanting to work in hospitality.

“Working in partnership with De Vere we will help small employers to access the recently announced wage incentive and engage in the Apprenticeship programme.”

The new De Vere Apprenticeship programme will formally launch on February 1.

Kellie Rixon, managing director at De Vere Academy said: “At a time of increasing youth unemployment, the De Vere Academy now has an even more robust structure that will allow more and more young people to become stars in the UK catering, hospitality, and service sectors, and we look forward to continue working closely with all of our valued partners who support us in our joint initiative.

“We are grateful for this further collaboration, support, and development being undertaken with NAS and we look forward to the continued strength of our relationship.”

Update: Response from NAS to a series of questions from FE Week

What will the Access to Apprenticeship entail?

Access to Apprenticeships were launched in August 2011, they are designed to provide help and support for young people aged 16-24 who need that extra boost in moving into employment as an apprentice. It is recognised that there are young people who have all the ambition and passion demanded by an Apprenticeship, but who need an opportunity to demonstrate to employers their commitment to work and study to the standards required. Access to Apprenticeships will give them this chance. Further information: http://apprenticeships.org.uk/Partners/Policy/AccesstoApprenticeships.aspx

The De Vere programme supports young people, the majority of whom would not otherwise be in education, employment and training into a career into the hospitality sector. The four week Access element of their overall Apprenticeship programme will provide the young people with foundation work skills to ensure they are ready for employment in the sector and to move on to an Apprenticeship programme.

What qualification will the learners receive after completing the phase?

Young people on Access to Apprenticeships do not receive a separate qualification.

Access to Apprenticeships can be up to a maximum of six months. Every participant will be a prospective apprentice from the start, and we expect to see everyone progressing into a full Apprenticeship, employed and paid, as quickly as possible.  The presumption is that most young people will only be on Access to Apprenticeships for 3 months – some might take less time, others more. There is an absolute maximum duration of 6 months.

What percentage of learners do you expect to progress onto the full apprenticeship programme?

The expectation is that the majority of young people who start on the Access pathway will progress onto paid employment with De Vere and other employers in the sector and that they will complete their Apprenticeship.

Do Access to Apprenticeships count towards apprenticeship figures?

A participant on Access to Apprenticeships will not be categorised or counted as an ‘apprentice’ but they will work towards the elements of an Apprenticeship framework for up to a maximum of 6 months before moving to a full Apprenticeship with a contract of employment. They will count as an apprentice at the end of the Access pathway once they move into paid/contracted employment.

The majority of the time on Access will be spent in the workplace, where young people can prove their employability and aptitude to prospective employers. It is known that practical ‘hands-on’ learning works best to unlock potential and motivation, and this model will help more young people develop and demonstrate the skills and knowledge employers look for in apprentices and valued members of staff. The number of hours spent on Access to Apprenticeship is expected to be the same as those on a full Apprenticeship (30 hours a week or more).

How are they funded?

There is no new money to deliver Access to Apprenticeships. The budgets allocated to Apprenticeship providers will be utilised to deliver the Access pathway. Access to Apprenticeships is delivered by providers who offer the full Apprenticeship programme.

Operational Delivery

Further operational delivery information on how providers will be able to deliver this pathway and record participants onto the Individualised Learner Record (ILR) are outlined
in the Apprenticeship Funding Requirements 2011/12 and the technical ILR reporting document below.

View/download
the Access to Apprenticeships ILR reporting technical document (PDF) »

View/download
the Q&As document regarding Access to Apprenticeships (PDF)