1 European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) Strategy: Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning

Overview Context Investment Priorities Funding Programme Management Options

Context (1) The focus of Europe 2020 ambitions in this area are related to educational attainment; reducing school dropout rates and increasing the number of people attaining tertiary level qualifications. Skills contribute significantly to economic output and are a dynamic driver of enterprise, investment, value and new industries. An analysis of qualification levels across the Coventry and Warwickshire LEP area highlights the dominance of level 1 qualifications achieved by 80% of workforce adults, approximately 70% at level 2 and approximately 50% at level 3. The areas of North Warwickshire, Nuneaton and Bedworth and Coventry are those with the highest percentage of those people not qualified and alongside this these are also the areas of lower employment and largest unemployment. In delivery, it is considered essential that consistent long-term programmes of activity, developed in partnership are delivered in order to reduce duplication of supply, focus capability and capacity and maximise the use of available match funding.

Context (2)

Introduction Developing Skills to Tackle Unemployment Additional and innovative approaches to training for the unemployed, including marginalised groups, to help bring them to and support them in learning. Additional or innovative approaches to training in a vocational context for those with low level skills in Maths and English, to support them in finding work or progressing in work; and to enable them to achieve vocational qualifications and continue to upskill. Support for intermediate and high level vocational provision for the unemployed and for career progression Skills and training packages in response to redundancies. Investment Priorities (1)

Introduction Using Skills to Support and Drive Growth Supporting low skilled people in low paid work to help them progress and for apprenticeships in related projects. Support for activities to start and grow a business from promoting entrepreneurship (including social enterprises) and self-employment, to providing leadership and management training/advice within Small and Medium Sized Enterprises to develop internal capabilities and growth potential. Support for upskilling and retraining for industries identified in investment strategies including training costs. Support for structural change in the local economy to meet skills gaps at all levels, including for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises and the social economy. Investment Priorities (2)

Introduction Getting a better fit between education and employment Enhancing access to lifelong learning, upgrading the skills and competences of the workforce and increasing the labour market relevance of education and training systems, including improving the quality of vocational education and training, and the establishment and development of work-based learning and apprenticeship schemes such as dual learning systems. Work to promote interaction between business and Higher Education and Further Education providers to meet local business needs. Developing better links between business and schools, Further and Higher Education providers and other education partners to equip students with the skills to start and grow a business. Investment Priorities (3)

Introduction Developing Skills to Tackle Unemployment – £8,564,500 ESF Grant Using Skills to Support and Drive Growth – £12,846,000 ESF Grant Getting a better fit between education and employment – £1,705,000 ESF Grant Accounting for: – 40% of the ESF Budget – 20% of our notional ESIF allocation Funding

Introduction Developing Skills to Tackle Unemployment. Skills Funding Agency Opt-In – Series of open calls in response to specifications developed jointly by CWLEP and the SFA. Contracting with the SFA. Using Skills to Support and Drive Growth Skills Funding Agency Opt-In – Series of open calls in response to specifications developed jointly by CWLEP and the SFA. Contracting with the SFA. Potential CWLEP open calls for higher level skills and contracting directly with DWP (ESF managing authority) Getting a better fit between education and employment Skills Funding Agency Opt-In – Open calls in response to specifications developed jointly by CWLEP and the SFA. Contracting with the SFA. Potential CWLEP open calls and contracting directly with DWP (ESF managing authority) Programme Management Options

10 European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) Strategy