Foundation Degree and Work Based Learning Programmes: 3 rd Call Workshop

Agenda 1. The Programme Management Unit 2. Overview of the Programmes 3. Existing projects/ projects in development 4. Funding criteria 5. Funding application process 6. Next steps 7. Q&A

1. The Programme Management Unit Our Remit: Based at the University of Glamorgan, the PMU is responsible for the FD and WBL Programmes for the sector in Wales Responsible for the Programme from Project Idea Form (PIF) stage through to contract and for the life of the projects, until funding comes to an end in August 2015 Manage claims and participant monitoring with partners and WEFO

Programme Management Unit (PMU) Our Structure: Programme Board Programme Management Unit ESF ESG Foundation Degree Programme Manager Finance OfficerProgramme Administrator Quality Assurance Officer Business Engagement Broker Work Based Learning Programme Manager Finance OfficerProgramme Administrator Quality Assurance Officer Business Engagement Broker

2. Overview of Programmes The WBL and FD Programmes have received approval from WEFO under Priority 3 Theme 2 of the ESF programme: Improving skill levels and the adaptability of the (private sector) workforce. The over-arching objective of P3T2 is Skills for the Knowledge Economy: Higher Level skills and Systems for Workforce Development within the Convergence area.

FD & WBL Programmes The Foundation Degree (FD) and Work Based Learning (WBL) Programmes are led by the University of Glamorgan on behalf of the HE sector in Wales. The programmes are supported by the European Social Fund (ESF) —FD will develop and deliver Foundation Degrees equivalent to CQFW level 5 for employed participants within the private sector —WBL will develop a range of WBL bite-sized opportunities at CQFW level 4 and above for learners currently in private sector employment The Programmes will operate in collaboration with business and other appropriate stakeholders which include Further Education and the Sector Skills Councils (SSCs)

FD & WBL Programmes The Foundation Degree Programme Key objectives: Encourage non-traditional part-time progression routes into further and higher learning, life-long learning and work-based learning Offer a practical solution to the dilemma of working or studying for each employed participant undertaking a Foundation Degree. This will ensure that participants get the skills employers require Involve key stakeholders, such as Sector Skills Councils, employers, and FE Institutions in curriculum development and delivery, and will ensure that the skills delivered in each qualification are an asset to the employers in the region Ensure that participants have the skills for increased competitiveness in the labour market, and enable them to develop their personal performance. For many, a Foundation Degree may be the best option when seeking career progression or changing their career

FD & WBL Programmes The Work-Based Learning Programme Key objectives: To offer a practical solution to those in employment who want to gain higher level skills, but are not able to embark on full time education, or are not ready to commit to a qualification such as a degree. To provide a flexible mode of delivery for small chunks of modular learning which will present a progression route for participants to get back into the education arena and gain the skills employers require. To foster employer and employee engagement in learning, through initiatives which promote, recognise and reward good practice. To involve key stakeholders, which include Further Education (FE) and Sector Skills Councils (SSCs), who will ensure that the skills delivered in each qualification are an asset to the employers in the region

CORE/ENABLING Energy Environmental management Telecoms & ICT STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT Bioscience Health (not public sector) Financial services Creative Industries Automotive & Aerospace ECONOMICALLY IMPORTANT Construction Leisure and Tourism Low Carbon Economy Digital Economy Health and Bioscience Advanced Engineering & Manufacturing WAG MAG Priority Sectors Jane Hutt letter (Apr 2009)NLSA John Griffiths letter (Mar 2009)

FD & WBL Programmes Foundation Degree Total Budget: £16.5million Total Outputs: 1330 Total Results: 1064 Employers assisted: 133 Work Based Learning Total Budget: £34million Total Outputs: 7600 Total Results: 5320 Employers assisted: 950 Facts and Figures

FD & WBL Programmes FD Budget Overview (Total £16.5 million)

FD & WBL Programmes FD Outputs Overview (Total 1330) FD Results Overview (Total 1064)

FD & WBL Programmes WBL Budget Overview (Total £34 million)

FD & WBL Programmes WBL Outputs Overview (Total 7600) WBL Results Overview (Total 5320)

3. Existing projects and projects in development Importantly, WBL and FD projects should not duplicate existing activity Project sponsors should try to remain aware of other ESF projects, WAG-funded schemes as well as recently-approved WBL and FD projects

FD & WBL Programmes Pembrokeshire College Energy Management - £693,005 Pembrokeshire College - £617,857 University of Glamorgan Aerospace - £491,657 Coleg Morgannwg - £402,742 UHOVI ICT - £782,334 Merthyr / Gwent / Morgannwg - £112,208 UHOVI Sustainable Construction - £747,005 Merthyr College - £37,938; Gwent College - £204,025; Coleg Morgannwg - £166,163 UHOVI Business Pathways – £1,506,660 Merthyr College - £173,970 Coleg Gwent - £183,499 Bangor University Energy - £497,364 Llandrillo College - £287,788 FD Approved Projects (Contract Issued) FD Approved in Principle Projects

Trinity St David LATERAL - £692,677 Glyndwr University Built Environment - £118,996 Coleg Menai - £12,962 Trinity St David Mentoring our Workforce - £397,565 University of Glamorgan Professional Academy - £2,280,088 Swansea University Bioscience - £3,473,182 UHOVI DEHOV - £3,288,829 UWIC HPWN - £4,675,106 FD & WBL Programmes Bangor University Environmental - £393,741 Glyndwr University Horticulture – 97,684 Coleg Sir Gar - £27,846 Glyndwr University Business & Leisure - £161,291 Coleg Menai - £93,221 UoG CiDS - £916,986 Bangor University Health & Wellbeing - £2,260,607 Swansea University Innovation - £2,304,205 WBL Approved Projects (Contract Issued) WBL Approved in Principle Projects

Sector Split CORE/ENABLINGFDWBL Energy22 Environmental management2 Telecoms & ICT12 STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT Bioscience1 Health (not public sector)1 Financial services Creative Industries1 Automotive & Aerospace1 ECONOMICALLY IMPORTANT Construction11 Leisure and Tourism1 Other12

FD Regional Coverage Projects approved: UOG/ Pembrokeshire College FD Energy Management UHOVI FDICT UHOVI FD Sustainable Construction UoG/Coleg Morgannwg FD Aerospace Bangor FD Energy & Power Technologies UHOVI Business Pathways

WBL Regional Coverage Projects approved: Bangor Environmental Bangor Health and Well Being Glyndwr Built Environment Glyndwr Horticulture Glyndwr Outdoor Business & Leisure Swansea Bioscience* Swansea Innovation Trinity LATERAL Trinity Mentoring our Workforce* UoG Professional Academy UoG CiDS* UHOVI DEHOV * Projects begin in their regions, but will expand Pan-Wales;

Projects currently in development Foundation Degree –Llandrillo College/UWIC – FD Professional Tourist Guiding –Llandrillo College/UWIC – FD Sustainable & Renewable Construction Technologies –UWIC FD Food Science & Technology –UoG FD The Music Industry in Wales –UWIC FD Engineering Work Based Learning –Llandrillo College/UWIC – Sustainable & Renewable Construction Technologies –Bangor Nuclear Power Management –UWN Skillset Academi+ –Swansea Engineering

Other higher-level skills projects Hefcw Regional FD funding: One Wales funding for the development, promotion and delivery of new part-time foundation degree provision (one proposal per region). Areas of overlap must be clearly identified at an early stage: E%20Foundation%20Degrees%20circ%20and%20Annex%20A.pdf ESF: Software Alliance Wales (SAW) led by Swansea University in partnership with the Universities of Bangor, Glamorgan, Aberystwyth, and University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Post-graduate CPD: ESF: LEAD WALES (SU) is designed to meet the specific needs of owner-managers (SMEs), integrating active teaching with action learning and encouraging participants to share knowledge and experience with their peers and to apply what they learn to their own business situation (10-month course): ERDF: ASTUTE (Advanced Sustainable Manufacturing Technologies) will target the aerospace, engineering and automotive industries as well as other high-technology manufacturing. Universities: Swansea, Aberystwyth, Glyndwr, Bangor and Cardiff. Collaborative R&D:

4. Funding criteria Is the proposal submitted by a Welsh Higher Education Institution? Does the proposal demonstrate Added Value? (inc. sector fit) Has the proposal been developed on a collaborative basis – involvement with SSCs? N.B. Evidence of SSC support is a condition of funding, and written support must be provided as appendices at PDP stage. Is the proposal demand-responsive (i.e. meeting the needs of industry)? Are all costs eligible in accordance with WEFO and EU Regulations? Is the match funding eligible? Does the proposal demonstrate that it will make a contribution to Cross-Cutting Themes (CCT) (Equal Opportunities and Environmental Sustainability) and consider the integration of CCT actions in the implementation of the project?

Programme Stipulations 1.Project participants (students) must be in (private sector) employment, and must live and/or work in the Convergence area of Wales (WW&V) 2.Maximum ESF funding available to a project is 55%. 3. Projects must address one or more of the WAG Ministerial Advisory Group private sector priorities:

CORE/ENABLING Energy Environmental management Telecoms & ICT STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT Bioscience Health (not public sector) Financial services Creative Industries Automotive & Aerospace ECONOMICALLY IMPORTANT Construction Leisure and Tourism Low Carbon Economy Digital Economy Health and Bioscience Advanced Engineering & Manufacturing WAG MAG Priority Sectors Jane Hutt letter (Apr 2009)NLSA John Griffiths letter (Mar 2009)

Sector Skills Councils: Engagement & Collaboration SSC engagement protocol –Guidance document setting out the process and requirements for engaging with SSCs, as well as main contact details, SSC footprints, SSB details –Key message: Early and meaningful engagement is crucial!

PIF PIF Programme Board PDP PIFs to be submitted Programme Board PIFs agreed at Programme Board taken forward to develop PDP PIFS to be sent to Alliance SSC contact who will send it out to the relevant SSCs for review before Programme Board Meeting SSCs to attend Prog. Board Meetings SSCs to work collaboratively with “sponsors” to develop PDPs Ongoing collaboration with HEIs and SSCs to implement projects PDPs to be sent out to the one SSC contact to pass onto relevant SSCs for review before the meeting Feedback Version March 2010 Sector Skills Councils: Engagement & Collaboration Meeting with Sector Skills Alliance, Key representatives & HEFCW 5 th March The following process was agreed to manage the project sponsor & SSC relationships:

SSC Engagement Protocol The purpose of the SSC engagement protocol is to explain the duties of project teams when engaging with SSCs at project development stage Project Team Engagement Process: SSC involvement (from an early stage) in project development SSC involvement in curriculum design and development Ongoing SSC involvement during project implementation where appropriate The Alliance of SSCs will act as a conduit for engagement – signposting project teams to relevant SSCs if needed - but project teams are responsible for working closely with the relevant SSC & SSBs for the project. The Alliance cannot endorse proposals As part of the engagement protocol, a list of SSCs, their sectoral footprint and Welsh representatives’ contact details have been included, as well as a list of SSBs Project engagement with SSCs should not be merely letters of endorsement for a proposal from one or more SSC – it must be demonstrable involvement from SSCs/SSBs in the development of the projects

Engaging with Business It is important to prove that there is a sector need for the project, in particular evidence of engagement with employers. This may take the form of: –Letters of support detailing that businesses are willing to let individuals attend specific courses (the letters must prove the course is fit for purpose rather than a generic letter of support) –Focus Groups –Market Research Surveys –A lead business being part of the development of a project – they will provide details of curriculum need, amount of training needed, levels that are required This information will be detailed in the PDP and copies of any letters from businesses needs to be supplied to the PMU This information is presented to the Programme Board as part of the assessment process

5. Funding Application Process

Two Stage Funding Process The Stages: Project Idea Forms – PIF Project Delivery Plans – PDP Both have their own process which ultimately lead to whether projects are funded or not:

IdeaDiscuss with partnersEvidence of needEngage with SSCComplete Project Idea Form 7th Jan What is the PIF process?

Assessment of PIFs The Programme Board will meet to consider the PIFs The PMU provide a summary table outlining: –Institution and partners –Project Title –Sector –Spatial area –Project Summary –Partnership engagement (SSCs, employers) –No of Modules D / V (FD: 240 credits, WBL: 60 credits max) –Level of qualification (FD: L4&5 only, WBL: L4-7) –Pre entry requirements and Progression Routes If a PIF is declined, reasons will be given If a PIF is approved, it proceeds to PDP

What is the PDP process? Approval from the PMU to proceed Attend PDP training session Discuss with partners – content, delivery, development, management structure, budget / outputs Evidence of need – Engagement with SSCs and evidence and support from companies Completion of the full PDP & budgets Submission of the PDP & budget package to the PMU for due diligence

Assessment of PDPs PDPs are assessed by the PMU; PDP templates, spreadsheet packages and guidance are provided in a PDP training workshop by the PMU; Project sponsors are then responsible for the full development of their proposal, including: –Full PDP (with evidence of SSC and employer support for the proposal); –Budget (for each partner); –Outputs (for each partner); –Gantt Chart (setting out activities, tasks, milestones and responsibilities); –Risk Assessment (accurately assessing the risk and providing a mitigation strategy) ;

Assessment of PDPs Once PDPs have been submitted to the PMU, the PMU undertakes a due diligence exercise PMU feedback will be provided to the Project Sponsors before the Programme Board meeting As a minimum, PMU feedback follows a set format:

Project Title Main Applicant Main Contact Sector(s) Project Objectives How does it fill a gap in existing provision? HE/ FE Partners Other collaboration SSC direct feedback Proof of Sector Need (including evidence of company support) Delivery Approach DP issues Cross-cutting Themes Management, Admin, Quality State Aid Regulation treatment Exit Strategy Budget £% Total Project Cost ESF Public match Private Match VFM Budget issues requiring clarification % of budgetIssues Management Development Delivery Outputs #% No. of Participants Accessing Employers Results #% Gain qualifications Completion rate Participants – further learning Output Issues requiring clarification Overall Project Assessment Risk PMU Recommendation FD Programme

Project Title Main Applicant Main Contact Sector(s) Project Objectives How does it support existing provision? HE / FE Partners Other Collaboration Start date / End date SSC Direct Feedback Proof of Sector Need (including evidence of company support) Approach to Delivery Module Status To be Developed?Currently Validated? Module Size Cross Cutting Themes (Equal Opps & Environmental) Management, Administration & Quality State Aid Regulation Treatment Exit Strategy Budget £% Total Project Cost ESF Public Match Funds Private Match Funds Value for Money (Unit Cost) Value for Money (credits) Budget Issues Requiring Clarification Outputs #% Accessing Qualifications Completion Rate Employers Assisted Participants – further learning Output Issues Requiring Clarification Risk PMU Recommendation WBL Programme

Assessment of PDPs Major Issues SSC support – letter received from one SSC, but proposal overlaps with 2 SSCs. Evidence of support from companies not provided Management costs ok Development costs low VFM poor but STEM subject Poor student completion rate Priority sector Links with other project – evidence required that no competition High risk – outputs, budget, regs MAG SectorJH & JG % budget10% % outputs5% % results2% VfMNo Project Cost £1m Total Credits 5,400 Credits Value £50.00 per credit) 270,000 % of Total cost 27% % management staff7% % development staff1% % delivery staff60%

How long does it take to get funding? TimescaleActivity 8 th October rd Call for Proposals opens Oct – Nov 2010Awareness-raising sessions (Wales-wide) 3 rd Dec 2010Re-developed/ deferred PDPs 7 th January 2011PIF deadline Beginning of 3 rd week JanFD & WBL Programme Board meetings – PIFs Approved Late Jan 2011Notification to proceed to PDP stage Late Jan – March 2011Development of PDPs Friday 1 st April 2011Deadline for submission of PDPs April 2011PMU evaluation process: due diligence Mid - Late April 2011PMU feedback: PDP revision by applicants Late April 2011FD & WBL Programme Board meetings – PDP decisions Late April 2011 / early May 2011Notification of funding decision

6. Next Steps The deadline for the 3 rd call Project Idea Forms (1 st stage) is 5pm Friday 7th January Forms should be submitted to or

7. Q&A

Thank you! Programme Management Unit Clare Naylor – Foundation Degree Programme Manager / Joanna Fashan – Work Based Learning Programme Manager /