ACE Program Funding Guidelines & Application Process September 2008 NSW ACE Unit

2 In this presentation - An overview of the 2009:  Conditions of funding  Policy & planning framework for ACE NSW  Funded programs  Application process including updated application forms PLUS  What’s new  Where to get information & assistance

3 Seven ACE Funded Programs  VET Delivery & Support  ACE Language, Literacy & Numeracy (LLN)  Community Program  Equity Program  Skilled Migrant Mentoring Program  Cluster Support  Maintenance of ACE Program (MAP)

4 Conditions of Funding Please ensure that all College Board members are aware of them  Overview Section 1 of Funding Guidelines  Specific to Funding programs Sections 2-8  General Conditions of ACE Funding Attachment C

5 Conditions of funding Funding Guidelines – Section 1 and Attachment C  NSW policy & planning frameworks  NSW policy & planning frameworks (general conditions)  purpose of funding  purpose of funding (specific to program)  eligible organisations  eligible organisations (general + specific to program)  ongoing eligibility  ongoing eligibility (general conditions)  eligible clients  eligible clients (general + specific to program)  accountability & quality record keeping  accountability & quality record keeping (general conditions)  reporting  reporting (general + specific to program)  acquittal of SCH - meeting SCH targets  acquittal of SCH - meeting SCH targets (for most programs)  comply with conditions of funding agreements  comply with conditions of funding agreements (general conditions)  ACE Unit approval for variations in programs  ACE Unit approval for variations in programs (all programs)  VET and VET flagged delivery  VET and VET flagged delivery (all programs delivering courses/qualifications)  2008 validated AVETMISS data to ACE Unit by 30 Jan 09  2008 validated AVETMISS data to ACE Unit by 30 Jan 09 (for most programs)  funding activities completed by end December 2009  funding activities completed by end December 2009 (general conditions)

6 General Funding conditions  Have you complied with the conditions of previous funding received?  Have you met previous SCH targets?  Have you provided validated AVETMISS data for previous funding?  Can you demonstrate capacity to comply with 2009 funding agreement?  Can you demonstrate capacity to remain financially solvent?  Can you continue to meet your legal & organisational obligations?

7 Policy & planning framework for ACE NSW Funding Guidelines – Attachment B  Community Education in New South Wales – A Statement by the NSW Government on Directions for Community Education (2007)  NSW Aboriginal Education and Training Strategy (NSW Department of Education and Training)  Interagency Principles for Child Protection Intervention (NSW Government)  NSW State Plan

8 Policy & planning framework  The Disability Standards for Education 2005  Shaping our future-Australia’s National Strategy for VET  NSW Strategic Plan for VET  Australian Quality Training Framework 2007 (AQTF)  NSW ACE Funding Program Guidelines 2009

9 Acquittal of Student Contact Hour Targets Where an SCH target is set under any ACE Program a funded organisation may be required to repay any funds related to unmet targets Usually funds owed will be deducted from the next funding payment that is due

10 Variations to funded programs ACE Unit approval in writing is required for any changes to funded programs Proposed changes must be discussed with the ACE Unit before implementation

11 Should this course be VET flagged? Reminder – delivery must be VET or VET flagged  If delivering a course that is not nationally recognised it must be VET flagged and  Sufficient evidence must be kept to demonstrate that the course is vocational in intent  See Attachment A for a guide to the evidence required Remember it is the intent of the course that must be vocational not the intention of individual learners

12 In summary….  Conditions of funding apply to all programs  VET program funding is by formula, not by application  Applications required for Programs 3 to 7  Are assessed on specific funding criteria  Due 22 nd October 2008  Funding Guidelines contain details for all programs

13 VET delivery & support Funding Guidelines Section 2  no application process  no application process All other programs by application b y funding model allocation – ANI  ensures allocation to highest need areas  no increase in total $ available  announced in late November  funding agreement and payment depends on submission of validated AVETMISS data

14 VET delivery & support Activities funded:  accredited & VET flagged delivery  general and prevocational programs  pathways to VET Eligible organisations:  ACE RTOs only Non-RTOs apply via Community Program $ for VET flagged delivery

15 Application & Funding Process 1. Information sessions Sept-Oct Applications due 22 nd Oct Allocation notification in late Nov AVETMISS reports in by 30 th Jan Funding agreements signed from Jan First funding payments from Jan 2009 dependent on ACE Unit receipt of 2008 AVETMISS reports 7. Project plans/mid-term reports vary with program 8. Delivery completed by end December AVETMISS reports in by 29 th January 2010 List of key dates will be on NetFirst

16  using drop down menus - yellow cells  includes automatic calculations to minimise possibility of error - pink cells  Green cells – for typing in your information and/or drop down menus  must be ed to the ACE Unit Please don’t send any extra papers – all information should be on the completed application form Application form - MS Excel spreadsheet Funding Guidelines Attachment D revised

17 A separate & customised set of worksheets for each funded program Must be completed  1 Cover Sheet - one only for entire application  Then select from Worksheets 3 to 7, depending on funding program  There are 2 worksheets per funding program  Worksheet..a – ‘Criteria’ oOutline project details & arguments for application, as required by each assessment criteria in the worksheet Help Sheets for Program applications - See NetFirst  Worksheet..b – ‘2009 Proposed’ oDetail training proposed including SCH and dollars

18 Only complete the sheets relevant to the program funding you are applying for ACE LLN Program application Worksheets 3a LLN & 3b LLN Community Programs applications Worksheets 4a & 4b Community For Equity Program applications Worksheets 5a & 5b Equity For Skilled Migrant Mentoring Program applications Worksheets 6a & 6b Skilled Migrant Mentoring Program For Cluster Program applications Worksheets 7a & 7b Cluster For Maintenance of ACE program separate business plan required and is not included in the application form

19 Application form Application form Funding Guidelines Attachment D include target SCH and delivered SCH in Program Worksheet.. a – Criteria at at Question 1 Evidence of any successful previous delivery You are no longer required to provide a separate chart of previous year SCH delivery provide course/qualification name and code only for Worksheet.. b – 2009 Proposed You are no longer required to specify which units of competency/ modules will be delivered in proposed programs,

20 What’s in ACE LLN Funding Guidelines Section 3 Information sheet detailing: Information sheet detailing:  the range of Federal and state funded LLN programs  how to assess for eligibility for each  how to assess for eligibility for each See NetFirstWhy? Eligible clients for ACE LLN funded programs  must not be eligible for federally funded AMEP or LLNP  must not be participating in AMES Skillmax or NSW SMMP To be eligible for funding colleges must demonstrate they have in place a process for determining client eligibility for LLNP and AMEP, Skillmax and SMMP

21 ACE LLN - reminders  Use nominal hours  Only accredited delivery will be funded

22 Community Program Funding Guidelines Section 4  For non-RTOs only  VET flagged delivery  accredited VET delivery in partnering arrangements  delivery costed at: o $7 / SCH - accredited o $5 / SCH - non-accredited

23 What’s in Equity What’s in Equity Funding Guidelines Section 5 Report to be submitted by 1 March 2010  description of funded program - including successful strategies  purpose – to identify & share good practice strategies with other ACE providers

24 Equity Reminders  Programs can be designed for mixed groups  Successful previous delivery is a key criterion for assessment  Funding o is costed at $10 per nominal SCH – can be used for venue, resources, trainer o additional resources may be available, only in exceptional circumstances

25 Skilled Migrant Mentoring Program for 2009 What's new Program is targeted to: A. A. Full-time projects in identified metropolitan areas – $70, 000 per project requiring:   55 employment, work experience and/or Industry mentoring outcomes   plus another 20 with training outcomes B. B. Response projects in rural and regional areas –   $1,300 per employment, work experience and/or mentoring outcomes and   $900 for each one with training outcome   At least 75% of outcomes must be in employment, mentoring &/or work experience C. C. Special projects and industry-specific workshops – funding may be available by EOI during the funding period eg. industry forum

26 Skilled Migrant Mentoring Program for 2009 Skilled Migrant Mentoring Program for 2009 Funding Guidelines Section 6 Program is targeted to 9 full-time projects in metropolitan LGAs Project 1Parramatta (1,777) / Baulkham Hills (1,064) / Holroyd (1,060) Project 2Blacktown (1,671) Project 3Randwick (1,631) / Sydney (1,203) / South Sydney (1,199) Project 4North Sydney (919) / Willoughby (823) / Warringah (537)/Manly(505) Project 5Hornsby (1,328) / Ku-Ring-Gai (687) Project 6Canterbury (949) / Bankstown (389) / Marrickville (553) Project 7Liverpool (702) / Fairfield (203) / Auburn (642) Project 8Strathfield (748) / Ashfield (603) / Burwood (592) / Leichhardt (480) Project 9Hurstville (979) / Rockdale (889) / Sutherland Shire (440)

27 What’s in Cluster Support Funding Guidelines Section 7 reporting  a report on the progress and outcomes of 2009 cluster projects  must be provided by mid-October 2009

28 Cluster Support Priorities for 2009 are activities that: Priorities for 2009 are activities that:  support implementation of Cluster Disability Strategic Plans developed in 2008  promote links between ACE and industry/business and help meet industry/business training needs better  address skills shortages  increase equity groups’ participation in employment  support quality record keeping and data management systems  involve development of business plans and improved governance Successful applicants will have demonstrated successful delivery against their 2008 plan for funded cluster program

29 What’s in Community – Equity - LLN - SMMP - Clusters Worksheet a – example questions related to assessment criteria: Q1: Evidence of any successful previous delivery Q2: Addresses the purpose of the funds – a description of how the proposed program will operate Q3: Identified community need Q4 : Evidence of substantial links with local industry and/or agencies Q5: Proposed delivery plan for 2009 Q6: Training establishes or enhances pathways into further training or employment Q7: Value for money “…the best mix of services to meet the community's needs within available funding the mix of resources that delivers the best possible outcomes to clients.” Good Practice Guide to Grants Administration (2006) NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet

30 Maintenance of ACE Program Funding Guidelines Section 8 Purpose   to continue delivery of VET in communities where an existing ACE organisation ceases to operate or ceases to receive ACE Program funding   to enable eligible ACE organisations to maintain delivery where the demand and need for ACE can be demonstrated   not included in Application Form   talk to ACE Unit Co-coordinator first

31 Further Information available… 1. on NetFirst 2. assistance from ACE Project Officers 3. information sessions for Clusters conducted by ACE Unit on request

32 Further information will be available On NetFirst  ACE Funding Program Guidelines 2009  Application Form  Application Form MS Excel spreadsheet  Key dates in funding process  Funding Criteria Help Sheets - provide quality project description and justification  LLN Program Eligibility Help Sheet - differentiate, assess eligibility, refer, reporting  PowerPoint presentation

33 Further information available Information sessions for Clusters  on request  via either oteleconference oDiscover-e contact Kathryn Couttoupes

34 Assistance ACE PROJECT OFFICERS Further information available Assistance ACE PROJECT OFFICERS ACE Language, Literacy and Numeracy * Kathryn Couttoupes Community Programs * Jan Howard Community Programs * Jan Howard Equity Program * Amber Young * Kathryn Couttoupes Equity Program * Amber Young * Kathryn Couttoupes Cluster Support * Jan Howard Cluster Support * Jan Howard Skilled Migrant Mentoring Program * Rita Fargiorgio Skilled Migrant Mentoring Program * Rita Fargiorgio Data * Jorge Luis Trujillo Data * Jorge Luis Trujillo Submissions ed to * Kristen Deamer Submissions ed to * Kristen Deamer Tel Tel Tel Tel

35 applications to: By COB Friday 22 nd October 2008