Correspondence

ESFA Update further education: 24 May 2023

Published 24 May 2023

Applies to England

1. Action: 16 to 19 tuition fund 2023 to 2024 claim form

The 16 to 19 tuition fund 2023 to 2024 opt in/out digital form is now live.

The deadline for your submission is 11:59pm this Friday 26 May 2023.

We’ve published guidance to access and help you complete the form.

2. Information: updated college financial benchmarking tool and college accounts dataset

We have published an updated college financial benchmarking tool with data from further education and sixth-form colleges’ 2021 to 2022 finance records, submitted to the ESFA up to 30 April 2023. The tool allows colleges to compare their performance with others in the sector.

We have also published the college accounts dataset for 2021 to 2022 based on the finance records.

3. Information: ESFA adult education budget (AEB) funding and performance management rules 2023 to 2024

We’ve published version 2 of the AEB funding rules for 2023 to 2024. The rules apply to all providers of education and training who receive AEB funding from ESFA.

A full breakdown of the changes is included in the ‘What’s New?’ section of the rules. We have:

• clarified how we will integrate the core elements of the traineeship programme for learners aged 19 to 24, including work experience
• confirmed that the HGV offer has been extended for the 2023 to 2024 academic year
• added additional residency criteria to ensure compliance with legislation updates
• provided full details on the innovation fund
• removed the restriction on funding for workplace learning
• clarified how to confirm the eligibility of a learning aim for FCFJ

We’d like to draw your attention to one change which will be of interest to apprenticeship providers and individuals planning to undertake an apprenticeship.

We removed the funding restrictions for individuals planning to undertake an apprenticeship. This means that providers can now use AEB funding for individuals preparing for an apprenticeship. This will especially help learners to make progress towards GCSE grade 4 or equivalent in English and maths as part of their legal entitlement prior to commencing an apprenticeship.

The rules pertaining to those undertaking an apprenticeship remain.

4. Information: advanced learner loans funding and performance management rules version 2 2023 to 2024

We have published version 2 of the advanced learner loans funding and performance management rules 2023 to 2024.

The main change from version 1, published in March 2023 is the inclusion of the performance management rules for 2023 to 2024.

The rules apply to all providers of education and training holding a loan facility condition and loans bursary fund agreement with ESFA.

5. Information: changes to the end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) registration and selection process

From the 1 August 2023, when an organisation receives recognition for a standard from Ofqual or the Office for Students (OfS) they will automatically be placed onto the list of approved EPAOs.  DfE will merge this list with the Register of Apprenticeship Training providers (ROATP) and rename it the ‘apprenticeship providers and assessment register’ (APAR).

New organisations will still need to create an account on the apprenticeship service to confirm their place on the register, but they will no longer have to undertake two application processes.  Maintenance of the register will be undertaken automatically through data exchanges between the regulators and the awarding bodies, and we are now developing that process.

Although DfE are merging the ROATP with the new APAR the application process for providers and supporting providers will remain the same.

Both Ofqual and OfS are fully supportive of these changes and are working alongside DfE to implement them.

From the 1 August 2023 apprenticeship providers will be responsible for choosing the EPAO for an employer unless the employer wishes to continue to select the EPAO themselves.

Further information and guidance on both changes for employers, providers and EPAOs will be made in the next few weeks.

6. Information: Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF)

DfE has launched the Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) Stage 1 Expression of Interest (EOI) today. The funding guidance is available on GOV.UK, and the two-part application form is available through the Jaggaer portal.

There must only be one EOI application per Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) area which must be submitted by an eligible lead applicant on behalf of the provider collaboration by Tuesday 20 June.

A virtual provider support event will be held on Tuesday 6th June for prospective applicants to ask any questions they may have about the process. Details about how to join the event are available in Jaggaer. You can register to use Jaggaer online.

7. Information: Skills Bootcamps Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS)

The Department for Education has published an updated Prior Information Notice (PIN) inviting suppliers to apply for a place on the DPS so they can bid for call off competition(s) for any of the categories below:

• Digital
• Sales, Marketing & Procurement (for digital marketing and IT technical sales)
• Construction and the Built Environment
• Engineering and Manufacturing
• Business and Administration (for project management roles that would support the categories above)
• Transport and Logistics (for HGV driving and Transport Managers)
• Education and Early Years (for Early Years Educators)
• Creative & Design (for screen, live and video game production skills)

Tentative call off competition tender publication date is 29th June 2023. We strongly advise suppliers to submit an application by 5th June 2023. Applications to the DPS may take up to 30 working days to process.

Only suppliers who have successfully applied and qualified onto the DPS can compete in call off competitions.

We will also be holding Q&A sessions on the DPS Selection Questionnaire and an additional session for suppliers who are interested in submitting a bid, particularly in Early Years or Creative & Design. More information on these sessions can be found in the Prior Information Notice (PIN).

Please forward this update to any suppliers or training providers who may be interested in delivering Skills Bootcamps so that they can sign up to the DPS.

Once you’re registered, search for ‘6955_Local Skills Improvement Fund 2023-25’.

8. Information: opportunity to join the IfATE board

Recruitment has opened for a non-executive board member to join the board of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE).

The position is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in the future of apprenticeships and skills training, as IfATE works to transform and improve the skills system by putting employers at its heart.

IfATE supports employers to develop, approve, review and revise apprenticeships and technical qualifications, which is the best way of driving up quality and making sure all training meets the economy’s skills needs. Apprentices from all backgrounds also benefit because they can be confident they are learning skills businesses really value.

Recruitment will close at 9am on 12 June. Find out more and apply on the government website.

Read more about the role on the IfATE website.