EBulletin

Forthcoming Events

11th August 2010
NTN Awayday -
Please be aware NTN will be closed all day

18th August 2010
Response to Redundancy Subcontractor Meeting
Pleasley Landmarks 10am - 12.30pm

15 September 2010
Network Meeting - Edwinstowe House 9.15am - 12.30pm

Skills Funding Agency - Update - issue 15

Update – Issue 15

In this issue:

• Imprisonment for fraud
• Future scenarios letter to Chairs of college governing bodies
• ACTOR to replace the QPF
• Sixth form college childcare scheme changes
• Employer Responsive – large employer rate factor and MOD provision
• Exceptional Additional Learning Support (eALS)
• Skills Funding Agency website

Click here to open Update – Issue 15, our primary communication channel for colleges and training organisations.

If you have any feedback please get in touch by emailing: update@skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk

Create July Update

Afternoon Colleagues,

Please see attached July 2010 opportunities for you to consider for the ongoing development of your organisation;  

• 2010 / 2011 Course Prices and Dates Now Available

Unlike some providers CreateLtd. are always happy to be upfront about our course prices to assist busy managers toarrange training they need, quickly and at an affordable price.  Attached is a PDF of our 2010 /2011 consortium courses scheduled at college.  As always there is much more we offer so please ask if there is something more you are interested in, either at college or on site!
Example prices:                NEBOSH Diploma  £1975.00 + VAT
                                                NEBOSH Certificate £595.00 +VAT
                                                CMI Level 5 Certificate in Management and Leadership £395.00 + VAT
                                                CIEH level 2 Food Safety Certificate £65.00 + VAT
                                                ITSAR Fork Lift Truck training £400.00 + VAT (5 days)
                                                HACCP (critical point risk assessment) £75.00 + VAT

For a full list of all courses available and prices, please click here.

• Employee Benefits Package

At a time when staff moral may help with a little boost, Create are announcing some additional services you may like to access.   Through collaboration with Greenway Ltd., our customers can now access a FREE Employee Benefits review service which can include special offers and money saving discounts on such things as gym membership, restaurants, holidays to name a few as well as access to preferential terms on a range of financial products including private medical, home and car insurance as well as car leasing schemes.
Over the next few months we hope to be promoting more services but for a head start please click here to access the Greenway site and get the necessary contact details.   

• Funding Safe For Apprenticeships

With all the latest news being about cuts its reassuring to see Apprenticeship funding remaining a priority for the coalition government. Apprenticeships could make your organisation more effective, productive and competitive by addressing your skills gaps directly, even in uncertain economic times.  There are now over 100 different types of Apprenticeships for candidates of 16 to 65, with full or partial funding available for the training. To find out more contact 01909 504500 or click here for more details.

As always, we would be happy to visit you to discuss the available funding and training opportunities no matter how many or few people you may have in mind.  Please give me a call on the number below.   If there is anything else I can help you with please be sure to let me know.
Kind Regards,

Tim Gladman
Employer Engagement Manager
Create Ltd. @ North Nottinghamshire College
Employment Suite, Carlton Road, Worksop, Notts, S81 7HP
(       01909 504719 or 07967 421886
2        01909 504757
*           tgladman@nnc.ac.uk
ü            www.nncreate.co.uk 

Policy Watch

Dear Policy Watch subscriber,

As you may be aware, Policy Watch is now being sent to you by the Pearson Centre for Policy and Learning, part of the worlds largest education company.

We will be officially launching the Pearson Centre for Policy and Learning at a party on the 16th of September, where we would very much like to share with you our first think-piece (on youth employment and apprenticeships) and tell you more about our plans for 2011.

The 6-9pm launch party at the Mall Galleries in the heart of Westminster will be a fantastic opportunity to share food and drinks with those from the world of education policy, and we hope to be joined by a number of Government ministers. As if that were not enough, the Mall Galleries will also be exhibiting paintings and sculptures from the world famous Threadneedle Prize competition.

For a launch party invitation visit this link: http://www.pearsoncpl.com/Launch-invite-16-09-10.pdf

As stated in the invitation, if you would like to join us at this one-off event please RSVP as soon as possible to bookings@pearson.com as places are limited.

Kind regards,

Nick

Nick Linford
__________________________________________________

Head of the Pearson Centre for Policy and Learning
Pearson International

8th Floor, One90 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7BH
T: 020 7190 4065

FE & Skills Newsletter - Friday, 23 July 2010: 31st Edition

In this issue:

• Skills Minister John Hayes launches Skills Strategy and Further Education and Skills Funding System Consultations
• Independent Review of Fees and Co-funding in Further Education published
• ITT Fee Grant Goes Ahead
• Online basics pilot results published

Skills Minister John Hayes launches Skills Strategy and Further Education and Skills Funding System Consultations

Skills Minister John Hayes announced two consultations yesterday. Skills for Sustainable Growth outlines BIS’s vision for skills and explores some key areas where we would like to seek further views and A Simplified Further Education and Skills Funding System and Methodology which seeks views on simplifying the funding system.
Employers, individuals, colleges, training organisations and representative organisations are asked to share their ideas on how they would like skills policy to be set out in the future.
Consultation opened on 22 July 2010 and responses will be received until 14 October 2010.
We would welcome your support in raising awareness of the consultation to encourage response.

Independent Review of Fees and Co-funding in Further Education published

The final report of an Independent Review of Fees and Co-funding in Further Education in England contains recommendations for a series of simple but powerful shifts in funding of education for adults in this country. The Review was undertaken by Christopher N Banks CBE, with representatives of employers, adult learners, colleges, training providers and others with an interest in adult education.
Click here to read more about the review

ITT Fee Grant Goes Ahead

Ministers have confirmed that a non means tested Fee Grant of £400 will be available in 2010/11 to support those teachers, tutors and trainers commencing Diploma level ITT qualifications on a Part Time basis from September 2010. The Institute for Learning (IfL) will be responsible for administering distribution of the grant. More details are included here

Online basics pilot results published

The evaluation of the Online basics pilot is now available to view on the BIS website. The results show that learners found the course useful and interesting, and there is evidence that it has a positive impact on continuing with learning and job prospects. The evaluation can be found here , along with information on funding for Online basics, and how it links to the work of Martha Lane Fox, the Government’s Digital Champion, who launched her Manifesto for a Networked Nation on 12 July.

Look out for next weeks launch of Ambition 2020: World Class Skills and Jobs for the UK (2010)

The UK Commission for Employment and Skills will publish the 2010 edition of Ambition 2020: World Class Skills and Jobs for the UK on Wednesday 28 July. This is the second annual assessment of the progress the UK has made towards becoming a world leader in productivity, employment and skills by 2020. The report provides a sound evidence base for the strategies and policies to fulfil this ambition. The report will be available from the UK Commission website www.ukces.org.uk.

STAR Newsletter

Dear Colleague,
Please find attached the latest edition of the STAR newsletter, featuring some of our key recent projects.
In these difficult economic times, STAR is assisting local authorities to be more efficient and cost-effective in delivering passenger transport and related services. 

Please contact Norman or me to talk about how STAR might assist your organisation.

Kind regards

Clare Waldron
Director
STAR Independent Consultants Ltd
Unit 10, Heritage Centre
Weekday Cross
Nottingham
NG1 1HN

Tel: 0115 958 4325
Mobile: 07867 871405
email: clare@startransport.co.uk
www.startransport.co.uk

Urgent action required for period 12 ILR returns for ER (including POL users)

There are currently a large number of records that will not migrate into the 2010/11 database for the start of period 1. This is of particular importance for POL users. The records will not migrate because they do not meet the new ILR data standards and validation rules for certain fields. POL users must correct the data held in POL before the period 12 return close date.

The following action must be taken before 5 August 2010, the close date for your period 12 return.
Field A44

• All apprenticeship main aims must have either a valid employer number from the EDS system or contain 999999999. All Train to Gain aims must have a valid employer number. Learning aims containing text or an invalid number will be rejected and will not migrate into 2010/11
• To obtain a new employer number you will need to contact Blue Sheep on either 01242 545 346 or by emailing eds@bluesheep.com

Field A22

• If the learning aim is delivered by a partner or sub-contracted provider, you must enter a valid UKPRN number for this provider into field A22. If this field contains an invalid number then the learning aim will be rejected and will not migrate into 2010/11.

Known Validation Issues

• There is a known issue with one of the A44 validation rules (A44_4) that has occurred during migration testing. If you have received notification of this rule violation you will need to check that you have a valid employer number by visiting http://edrs.lsc.gov.uk.
• If you have checked the employer number and it is valid, then you can disregard this error as this is likely to be a validation error on our part. No further action is needed in these cases and this issue should be resolved for migration of period 12 data and the 2010/11 data returns.
• There is a known issue with Rule A04_A14_A16_AD04_1. This rule is incorrectly giving errors in the following circumstance - if the learner started an apprenticeship programme aged 18 and then started one of the learning aims within that programme aged 19+. In this circumstance field L28 does not need to be set to "eligible for enhanced funding". Field L28 should remain coded as 99 99. This will mean that when your data is migrated into the 2010/11 database, new field A69 will be set correctly to code 99.
• Field L28 should only be set to code 15 if the learner has returned to a programme aged 19+ which they had already started aged 16-18 for example after a break in learning.
• Rule A04_A14_A16_AD04_1 will be removed for migration of period 12 data and the 2010/11 data returns.

If you have any queries please contact the Service Desk on 0870 2670001 or email servicedesk@thedataservice.org.uk

Fazia Saleem
Communications and Marketing Manager

Theinformation authority & The Data Service
Cheylesmore House
Quinton Road
Coventry
CV1 2WT

T: 02476 823988
M: 07825 053035
E: fazia.saleem@theia.org.uk

www.theia.org.uk
www.thedataservice.org.uk

Nottinghamshire Economic Development Partnership Board - Economic Development News and Policy Roundup

23 July 2010

This paper seeks to provide the NEDP Board with an overview of key economic policy developments and other significant news in the economic regeneration arena locally, regionally and nationally which may be of interest and support the Board with its strategic discussions and development work. In the interests of brevity this report is therefore not exhaustive.

To read the full paper, please click here.

Using quality audits to drive organisational improvement

The quality of the learning experience can make a significant contribution to success rates, contract performance and inspection grades.  Most providers recognise this and have procedures in place to help maintain quality, including quality audits, designed to help ensure the quality procedures are followed.
Unfortunately most quality audits focus on process compliance and are not as effective as they should be in supporting continuous improvement. The latter is of course an essential ingredient for achieving grade 1 inspection results.
Truly effective quality auditing of the learner journey needs to do far more than ensure process compliance. It needs to be the tool that ensures the quality assurance system is driving and delivering real improvements in the learners’ experience and organisational efficiency. 
Far too many learner journey audits focus on compliance. For example, audits may check that learner progress reviews have taken place at the correct time and that information is provided in all relevant sections but fail to evaluate the quality of the review itself, i.e. the quality of what is recorded and the action to be taken.
Because continuous improvement is pivotal to longer term organisational success and an essential ingredient for grade 1 inspection results, all providers need to be confident that their quality audit system is as effective as possible. This workshop explores and demonstrates how to achieve this.
For whom
This highly interactive workshop has been designed for:

• Quality Managers and Co-ordinators who have limited experience in designing and undertaking learner journey audits that focus on quality rather than compliance
• Staff who aspire, or expect to become Quality Managers and Co-ordinators

The workshop may also be relevant to the needs of experienced Quality Managers and Co-ordinators who are looking to further develop this type of quality audit process in their organisation.
Please note, the content and focus of this workshop is on post 16 vocational learning however previous attendees from the other sectors including schools have found the approaches very transferable but we must emphasise that the workshop does not explore ways to transfer to other sectors

Aims and Objectives
The workshop has been designed to help organisations improve the effectiveness of learner journey quality auditing practices, which will help further enhance the quality of the learners’ learning experience, and organisational performance.
Participants, who complete the workshop, should be able to describe and clearly explain:

• the primary purpose of learner journey process quality audits
• the differences between quality focused and compliance focused audits
• the function of learner journey quality audits, within the wider organisation Quality Management system
• how to ensure that audit outcomes are owned by line managers
• effective auditing methodology
• how to plan audits
• managing audit interviews effectively
• what audit documentation is required to conduct effective audits
• the purpose of an audit schedule

Content
The workshop will look at what learner journey process quality audits should be trying to achieve and what needs they address. The difference between audits that focus on checking things are done and audits which measure the quality of what is done will be explored.
Quality audits are a component of an effective Quality Management System. How they fit within the system linking to other QA activities and how they contribute to continuous improvement will be considered. How audits relate to process performance measurement will be evaluated.
If line managers do not buy into the value of quality audits and take forward the outcomes of such audits, then processes they manage will not improve. This section of the workshop will look at how to ensure that audit outcomes are owned by line managers, through the use of a ‘coaching’ rather than ‘policing’ approach.
In some quarters there is a perception that quality audits are only of documentation. In the workshop we will look at auditing methodology which encompasses both documentation audits and direct process delivery observation audits. Issues related to frequency and approaches to sampling will also be considered. The concept of two tier audits will be reviewed including the value of engaging line managers in such a process and how this approach applies in subcontractor audit contexts.
Like most things in life, if the way we approach tasks and activities lacks effective planning, the outcomes are less likely to be effective. This element of the workshop will look at how to plan audits, what different aspects of an audit process need to be considered and how to apply the Risk Assessment principle effectively.
An important component of an audit is usually meeting with managers to gather information and to discuss the outcomes of the audit. Gathering information effectively can be dependent upon the quality of the questions asked. To that end, this aspect of the workshop will look at how to use different questioning techniques to gather information during an audit interview. In this section we will also consider how to manage discussions about outcomes, particularly where the manager is likely to challenge the outcomes. In relation to which, we will look at how to anticipate and manage people’s reactions when dealing with under-performance issues.
This workshop component will look at the variety of documentation that is necessary to ensure quality audits are managed effectively. This includes the role of such documentation in reducing the subjectivity in the judgements made by auditors.
Staff who manage audits need to be well organised. We will explore how an audit schedule can assist. We will also look at how such a schedule links to an organisation’s Quality Cycle.

Learning will be facilitated through:

• interactive discussions
• presentation of examples of good practice
• group and individual problem solving exercises
• tutor feedback to individuals
• participants’ critical evaluation of their own quality audit processes
• comparative analysis of the quality audit processes demonstrated in the workshop and the processes used by other workshop participants.

Related Quality Assurance Workshops

• Quality Assurance: Evaluating & Developing QA Systems
• Quality Auditing the Learning Journey
• Writing the QA Manual

Certificates of Professional Development.
Formal Certificates of Development will be issued, by post, to participants who complete this workshop. These certificates will detail the key learning aims and the face-to-face learning hours undertaken, enabling participants to update their CPD records and logs accordingly. The workshop also allows time, during the day, for participants to reflect on and record their personal learning development and consider how best to apply the knowledge gained on return to work. This element of the programme is designed to maximise the benefits from attending and enable participants to make better review judgments when recording their CPD activities.

For more information and to book places, click here.

Children & Young People Now's daily bulletin

To view the full dailybulletin, please click here.

PRESS RELEASE  

It’s official:  Access Training is “Good” according to Ofsted

Following a week long inspection at the end of May from the Office for Standards in Education, Access Training is delighted to have been awarded an overall Grade 2 for the effectiveness of its provision.

The Nottingham based company has been providing ‘on the job’ training in the East Midlands for over 25 years and offers qualifications, including apprenticeships, in Animal Care, Childcare, Health & Social Care, Management and for Teaching Assistants.

Inspectors were impressed by the current success rates in apprenticeships and Train to Gain programmes which continue to improve and are now “significantly above the national average”.  Success is measured both by the achievement of the qualification and the length of time taken to achieve. 

Employers’ views were canvassed and Ofsted reports that Access Training “staff work well with employers to provide good training at work that meets the needs of learners and employers”.  Surveys of employers praised the “good standard of communication” and “the speed and helpfulness of responses to queries”.

The safety and welfare of young people and vulnerable adults is high on the agenda at the moment and Access Training is very proud to have achieved a Grade 2 for Safeguarding.  Given the barrage of new initiatives and legislation in this field it is not surprising that such a grade is hard to achieve.

Operations Director, Dawn Gibson, commented, “I feel this is a reward for all our hard work and is a tribute to the professionalism of my staff.  We will be aiming for Outstanding at the next inspection!”

Further Information

Judith Wright
Tel 0115 958 7257
Mob 0791 890 7114
Email: Judith.wright@atem.co.uk

Apprenticeships on Tour comes to town!

Unsure of what to do when you finish school or college this summer? Stuck in a career rut or simply want to be able to work and earn money at the same time as getting some recognised qualifications under your belt?  If you answered yes to any of these questions then maybe it’s time you considered becoming an apprentice. And now’s a good time to find out more because the National Apprenticeship Service’s summer bus tour ‘Apprenticeships on Tour’ is coming to a town near you (insert appropriate locations & dates).

This summer ‘Apprenticeships on Tour’ will be traveling around the East Midlands, fully equipped with internet access and apprenticeships advisors, to talk to you about the type of apprenticeship that would match your skills and interests and how you can jump on the career ladder and start earning straight away. The ‘Apprenticeships on Tour’ team will also be able to help you find employers who are looking for apprentices by using the online Apprenticeship Vacancies Service, where you can search and apply for jobs.

For your further information on where the bus will be, please click here.

How can you get involved in ‘Apprenticeships on Tour?’

The National Apprenticeship Service East Midlands is planning a summer tour to showcase the breadth and benefits of Apprenticeships to young people, parents and carers.

The tour will be visiting over 45 venues across the region this summer and if you’d like to get involved we’d love to hear from you - by working with our partners we can make the tour a real success by increasing awareness and take up of Apprenticeships.  

‘Apprenticeships on Tour’ will use 2 buses specially kitted out with lap tops, internet access, interview rooms, and quiet areas enabling visitors to:

1. Use Apprenticeship vacancies to register, search and apply for jobs
2. Talk to Apprenticeship experts about the types and benefits of Apprenticeships
3. Understand how apprentices are employed and can progress their careers whilst earning.

Promotional Toolkit
To help you promote the tour we’ve:

1. Developed a toolkit comprising of posters, leaflets, logos, ready written text and photos for you to access via the tour page on our website.
2. Distributed over 50 000 timetables through free newspapers across the region
3. Put out pre and post tour releases to appropriate media.
4. Worked with Connexions and other partners to contact young people through their databases, using mailings and text messaging

For marketing queries contact Jane Williams T: 0116 228 1817 / 07979 832 239 E: jane.williams@apprenticeships.gov.uk

Helping out on the Day
With a full timetable we need lots of help staffing the buses - if you’d like to get involved please speak to the NAS contact for your county:
Derbyshire - Tina Howe T: 07976707588 E: tina.howe@apprentcieships.gov.uk
Leicestershire - Liz Allison T: 07747461143 E: Elizabeth.Allison@apprenticeships.gov.uk
Lincolnshire - Jon Poxon T: 07721 499 568 E: Jonathan.Poxon@apprenticeships.gov.uk
Nottinghamshire - Andy Potterton T: 07949058509 E: andrew.potterton@apprenticeships.gov.uk
Northamptonshire - Aubrey Davis T: E 07796 941148: Aubrey.davis@apprentcieships.gov.uk

How do I keep up to date on the tour?
The link to the toolkit and lots of other information is at http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/ApprenticeshipsTour.aspx

For more information on apprenticeships visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Vacancies Online

Please find attached the analysis of young people registered with Connexions Nottinghamshire as unemployed on 30th June 2010, by area, qualification and occupational sector.

Thank you

Liz

 Liz Glover - Opportunities Team Adviser

* Opportunities Team, Education Business Futures, Connexions,
       24-32 Carlton Street, Hockley, Nottingham, NG1 1NN

' Tel; 0115 9926075 / 0845 8508899/Fax; 0115 9581061

:  www.cnxnotts.co.uk / www.sortitonline.com / www.thebridgeblog.co.uk

Nottinghamshire Training Network Case Study

Quality Care Training (QCT) was established in September 2008 to provide Health & Social Care training and assessment in Leicestershire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire. Based in Coalville, the company delivers support in the workplace to care workers and their managers, enabling them to provide
the highest standards of professional care to elderly and disabled clients through structured training and a diverse range of assessment techniques.
QCT’s progressive approach to vocational training enables their clients to take control of their training and achieve successful completion within a cost effective timeframe.

For the full story, please click here.

Nottinghamshire Training Network Case Study

Please find attached a case study that may be of interest to you.

Andrew Sweet was introduced to NTN through our Response to Redundancy contract, and has subsequently progressed onto Train 2 Gain, finding employment with one of our own members, Safety Problem Solutions Ltd.

For the full story, please click here.

Best regards

Toni Langridge
Project Coordinator/Team Leader
Direct Line: 01623 404538
NTN Office: 01623 404341
Mobile: 07977 551187
Fax: 01623 404201
Website: www.ntn-wbl.org.uk

Updated information: Resources + Training

Please have a look at Streetwise, a new youth gangs and weapon crime education resource for frontline practitioners.

"The Programme has proved to be highly effective in engaging young people" ( Youth Justice Board Feb 2010 )

Streetwise is now recognised by the Youth Justice Board as an excellent example of emerging practice. Please see the YJB website, or follow this link for more information http://www.yjb.gov.uk/dep/Default.aspx

We provide a free half day training workshop for organisations who decide to use the resources.

For more information please read attached booklet and flyer.

Kind regards

Mo Sarfraz
Head of Streetwise Education
www.streetwiseinfo.co.uk
saf@streetwiseinfo.co.uk
07903 546921
01484 314815

Skills for Employment

Finalists of E2E learner of the year award at the East Midlands apprenticeship awards 2010 at the Roundhouse Derby

Skills for Employment Team is within the Youth Support Service, Engagement and Enrichment Division

Service Manager – Sara Platt

All students were nominated by the Skills for Employment team at Eastbourne Centre Sutton in Ashfield

Please see attached for full press release.

Meet The NTN Team - Project Co-ordinator/Team Leader.

Hi all

I am a Project Co-ordinator/Team Leader here at NTN and have been in my role for 16 months now. This month it is my turn to do the ‘getting to know me’ section so here goes:               

If you have any queries regarding our Response to Redundancy contract, give me a call on 01623 404341 or email me at toni.langridge@ntn-wbl.org.uk

Kind regards,

Toni Langridge