Minutes
Network Meeting 22 September 2010
Location: LSC Office, Eagle Point, Segensworth
Attendees:
Company / Delegate name / Company / Delegate nameAbove Bar College Ltd / Alison Wheavil / Totton College / Paul Godber
Aspire Learning / Alison Sumpter / Totton College / Chris Herbert
Aspire Learning / Jo Sellars / Totton College / David Thomas
Babcock / Fiona Wadeson
Brockenhurst College / Chris Pates / Apologies
Brockenhurst College / Derek Mather / Waverley Training Services / Pat Pryke
Eastleigh College / Carlton Calver / PETA Ltd / Bob Hiskey
Eastleigh College / Emma Yorworth
Fareham College / Claire Middleton / Guests:
Enham Trust / Linda Matthews / Keits / Jamie Stevenson
Fareport Training Organisation Ltd / Ann Plumbley / Gill Goddard / SEEDA
Fareport Training Organisation Ltd / Mick Reeves / Jenny Lambert / FNTC
Fareport Training Organisation Ltd / Jane Lamer / Pamela Lumsden / LSIS
Fareport Training Organisation Ltd / Theresa Maple / Tony Allen / Skills Funding Agency
Farnborough College of Technology / Mandy France / Rob Corfield / Skills Funding Agency
Highbury College / Maria Dixon / Jonathan Fost / Citi Media
Highbury College / Tom Chance / Rachel Whittington / YPLA
NAS / Ian Smith / Ian Smith / NAS
Paragon Skills / Esther Lochhead
Southampton City College / Martine Pullen
Southampton City College / Sharon Haskell
SETA / Richard Heighington
Sparsholt College / Claire Hare
Sparsholt College / Tim Ponsford
The Isle of Wight College / Fidelma Washington
Agenda Item / Notes / Actions / By whom
Welcome and Introductions / DT welcomed the delegates. There were some new people attending so DT asked the delegates to introduce themselves.
Apologies / Please see table above. Bob Hiskey passed on sincere apologies for his absence.
Minutes of ALPHI Meeting Matters Arising / Review of the Minutes of 23 June 2010.
All actions complete. The Minutes were signed off as a true record.
AS asked if the group wanted the Minutes to continue to be as in depth.
The group said that they would like just the main actions circulated with the more in depth Minutes to be on the website. This was agreed by the members.
Matters arising from the meeting on 23 June 2010
Update on meeting with the YPLA
AS told the group that she, BH and Michelle Pedder (MP) had met with the YPLA a couple of weeks earlier. The meeting was called by YPLA to identify how they could best meet provider’s needs. New regime for reporting against FL causing concerns. M Peddar will have answers to this from YPLA to circulate. YPLA want to have strong relationship with all networks, they have agreed to attend the 14 – 19 Sub Group where issues around contracting and performance can be raised. PP is the Chair of this group with DT, AS also attending so if providers want to feed anything into this group it can be through these people.
Communication will be through ALPSE and through YPLA attendance at network meetings. YPLA knows that people are having issues loading FL starts onto the system. YPLA has offered to support providers who want to make an early FO1 return to give them opportunities to feedback and rectify any issues to make system work for providers. This is not compulsory just an offer as a resource to help providers. Issues and technical issues will be added to an ongoing Q and A. YPLA have limited resources for supporting providers with technical issues this will be disseminated to the network.
Minimum Contract Levels
Slides from the MCV seminar are available. Slides talk about MCV and will apply from August 2011 – will increase incrementally over the 4 years. Slides lay out delivery models and agency processes, and highlight issues and next steps.
Questions remain around what the MCV will be – guesses around the £500,000 mark but will rise incrementally. Mapping has been carried out which identifies that this will have issues for many providers. Lead Contractor will have to hold 51% of overall contract which could be a problem to working together.
DT opened this up to the room and asked for comments.
AS recommended members read the consultation paper on simplification of funding process.
Uncertainty on how ALPHI will be able to support providers. At least 38 SE providers would be affected if it is at the 500k level. / See slides attached
AS has re-circulated the consultation document and response form
Update on ALPSE/ALPSE as a legal entity / ALPSE Council meeting last week, agenda dominated by discussion on becoming a Legal Entity this was ratified by all 5 regional networks. Memorandum and Articles have been drawn up in draft moving forward with legal entity status.
Becoming a legal entity will give substance to any future bids. Up until now ALPSE has been unable to be named in bids.
ALPSE also needs to consider sustainability as it is are no longer getting any funding from stakeholders and partners. Legal entity may be something that ALPHI might want to discuss in the future as the process ALPSE are going through we will provide a template to work against.
Learner Responsive
Looking at difference in 14-19 Agenda, do we still have a remit to be getting onto every 14-19 Group? Hilary Omissi attended who represents sub regional cluster. Her advice was not to lose contact with 14-19 groups at this time. Local Authorities are still responsible for commissioning in terms of what they want and where. Much time was spend on discussing what is required to give as a strategic focus. All became aware that providers are struggling with numbers for FL. The demise of Connexions seems to show low levels of referrals. NEET not being referred, lack of understanding by Connexions around FL offer. What do we need to do to address this? The Group want to formulate a strategy for getting into schools and the new Academies. We need to gain more referrals from schools.
Withdrawal of Clause 35 has been seen on a Local Authority website. NAS have given a statement that Apprenticeships will still be part of the IAG offer. Awaiting clarification from Sue Samson as to whether Clause 35 has been withdrawn.
AS told the group that ALPSE has been successful in a joint bid alongside AOSEC and FE Sussex for a large pot of LSIS funding. At this stage this is an expression of interest - now waiting for opportunities to bid for funds to bring monies into the region which can be used for various aspects of provider development.
NAS Update – Ian Smith / Update from IS
Went through standard presentation – Pd 12 Performance
16 – 18 End of Year Target 16,400 14,249 Actual
19-24 End of Year Target 16,200 Actual 17,748
25+ End of Year Target 3,800 Actual 6,290
All ages End of Year Target 36,400 Actual 38,287
These figures are based on learners residency (post codes)
Hants and IoW 11,380
NAS Marketing Activities
· Following up employers that may have taken on a learner on a L2 and encourage to move to L3.
· Creating campaigns that provider networks can participate in
· Engaging key employers to sponsor Apprenticeship events
· Revisiting lost opportunities
· Encouraging Local Authorities to hold employer breakfast events
· Eshots to unsuccessful AV candidates.
Employer engagement
· AGE 2
· Key Accounts Large Employers (KALE)
· Civil Service Recruitment the recruitment freeze does not apply to graduates and apprentices.
· 100 in 100 Apprenticeship Challenge, this has been done in the SW. Based on getting 100 employers to take on 100 apprentices in 100 days. On 27 October 2010 (8/9 page spread in the Portsmouth News. If successful talking about doing one in Southampton, Brighton and other areas. Marriott have donated a room for the launch.
Frameworks
The following are the most popular frameworks:
· Hampshire - Engineering
· Isle of Wight – Hospitality and Catering
· Portsmouth - Childcare Learning and Development
· Southampton - Customer Service.
AV Update
IS asked that providers update in AV is accurate and reflects what they actually deliver.
Use of AV now contractual very low usage compared to starts. IS said that if leads are not followed through this will effect success rates. NAS will be monitoring providers on their usage of AV. See slides for the targets being set.
Best Practice on AV, IS asked that providers use hyperlinks on their websites to promote current vacancy list to encourage applications. Be specific about additional questions on CV in order to encourage quality applicants.
Prepare candidates prior to interview.
DO NOT reject applications on the grounds of age as this is unlawful and you may be liable for prosecution should a candidate feel they are being discriminated against.
102 current vacancies on system against 19,563 registered candidates.
Learner Services
Working with Local Authorities and schools increasing awareness of Apprenticeships
Connexions
Training has been conducted for Personal Advisers and EBPs
Stand at 16+ Choice evening at St. Vincent’s College
Various IAG events
Working with schools who want to take on apprentices.
Working with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and HE to promote progression from Apprenticeship into HE.
CH asked if there had been any displacement of apprentices through graduates taking on internships – IS said that yes this had been identified. It has also been noticed that many people at 18 who were going to go to university but due to numbers being cut are now applying for Apprenticeships
FW asked if providers could receive any information that is sent out to employers so that they can remain in the loop. IS agreed that he would do this.
Letter will be going out to providers from NAS where it has been identified that there have been early leavers from the AGE 1 Grant. IS asked if providers could let Malcolm Wright know if they are sitting on money that should have been returned.
Fidelma asked that all marketing sent through NAS is copied to providers for reference in case employers mentioned it. / See slides attached
Action – ALL to let Malcolm Wright know if they are sitting on any AGE 1 monies where there have been early leavers.
IS to manage this through NAS.
Update on ALPHI Sub Groups / Employer Responsive
RH said that much of the last meeting had been dominated by discussions around MCVs.
Marketing without money, looking at plans will be for the coming year.
Some issues with qualifications not being funded.
Learner Responsive
DT to take over the Chair of this group.
With changes there are concerns over whether the remit of the group is right. Since meeting with Sue Samson now have a clear remit for this group so it will move forward. First meeting of this group in October when an Action Plan will be developed.
Presentation on ALPHI updated website/Toolkit / Jo Sellars and Jonathan Fost (Webmaster) gave a demonstration of the updated ALPHI website and toolkit. / All to view the site and provide feedback to
Workshops / The delegates then split into 2 workshops:
· Functional Skills which was presented by Jenny Lambert of FNTC
· LSIS – Update on resources available which was presented by Pamela Lumsden of LSIS
The key points from these groups were as follows:
Functional Skills
· Rationale on delivery of Functional Skills. Functional Skills are central to economic success. Links between functional skills and vocational achievement. Functional Skills develop creativity, independent enquiry and problem solving which have not been delivered in schools and which teachers are not trained to deliver.
· Functional Skills offer the opportunity to bring enjoyment back into learning.
· Problems being faced with the delivery of Functional Skills – the level of Functional Skills within frameworks are too hard, this is being reviewed. There is a lack of specialists to deliver Functional Skills.
· Relevance of Functional Skills – whether delivered through taught integrated or stand alone they must be delivered through ‘real life’ scenarios.
· When ‘selling’ functional skills to employers and learners the following words should be used – creativity, independent enquiry and problem solving.
· Maths and English Functional Skills always need to be delivered
· ICT should be included if directly relevant to the occupational role. If it is not it is not required to deliver ICT.
· Excellent resources are available at www.fspsupport.org – this will be transferred to the Excellence Gateway.
Key Skills will be extended until March 2011, after that providers will have no choice but to deliver Functional Skills. Providers need to consider how they are going to deliver Functional Skills. It was identified that most providers are using specialist tutors to deliver Functional Skills but this is not necessary, Assessors and other staff could be trained to deliver Functional Skills. It was suggested that providers should carry out a Skills Check with staff. Staff delivering Functional Skills should have a qualification that is at least at the level they are delivering but preferably one above.
LSIS
· What resources are available
· Identification of how to get fair share of available funding into the region to meet local needs.
· Offer of Organisational Health Checks to carry out an organisational review against organisation’s own agenda.
· Improve Advice Service through self referral
It is important that ALPHI get more proactive about what we need, then to set target and identify how we can access funds.
It was suggested that we should add a Feedback Section on the ALPHI website where ALPHI members can report:
· What we are good at
· Where we are facing issues
· How we can address issues locally
· Establish a Peer Review Group
Hot Topics – workshops will be available over the next few months
· Strategic Business Development – 27th October 2010
· Operational Skills – 24 November 2010
· Managing Contracts Effectively – 25 January 2011 / Action – Aspire to speak to webmaster to get section added where members can feedback.
Action – PL to get flyer to Aspire for dissemination to the network.
ATA Kent / Jamie Stevenson of SEAC gave an update of the SEAC Apprenticeship Training Association.
The ATA can be used by employers who would not traditionally take on apprentices due to – headcount or seasonality of business. Through the ATA the apprentice is employed by SEAC and the employer does not have to employ them.
The ATA works with providers to deliver the frameworks and ‘top slice’ 15% from the provider’s main aim funding. / See slides attached.
Any other Business / Tim Ponsford of Sparsholt College raised that he had received an email from the Economic Development Office at Hampshire County Council. They are setting up a Hampshire Skills and Strategy Group which will have representation from Local Authorities, local Council and voluntary organisations. They would like to invite provider participation. Tim suggested that this should be an ALPHI representative. As the first meeting will be in October – Sparsholt will attend this meeting due to the short lead in time However we feel that a member of the ALPHI Management Group should attend future meetings.
Jane Lamer of Fareport Training raised that she is the ALPHI representative on the 14 – 19 Co-ordinators Group. She was due to attend a meeting where they are looking at her for feedback/input on the 14 – 19 Agenda. In the current climate she is struggling to know what input is required to called on the network for some guidance/ideas on what they would like her to be presenting at this meeting.
AS reminded the network that the ALPSE Conference – Life Outside Funding will be held at the Holiday Inn, Guildford on 5 October 2010. It looks to be an interesting and informative agenda with workshops on:
Maximising Sales Opportunities
Maximising Web Contacts
Ideas on lead and sub contracting contracts
TQS as a principle to becoming more employer focused.
Places can be booked on line using Event Elephant / Action – Management group to decide who should attend Hampshire Skills and Strategy group on behalf of the ALPHI Network
See attached flyer
Finish / Meeting closed at: 13.30
Next Network Meeting / The next Network Meeting will be on 17 November 2010 from 9.30 at the Skills Funding Agency Offices, Little Park Farm Road, Segensworth, Fareham PO15 5TD
UKCES Skills Audit results and Simplification for funding / Workshops were held in the afternoon / Please see slides
Attachments