Welcome

Briefing on LSC Invitations to TenderSpring 2008

Presented to successful PQQ ApplicantsBy Ian Haworth

Introduction

01

Ian Haworth - Area Director for Lancashire• Stephen Kelsey, covering Apprenticeships• Clive Duguid, Train to Gain• Jayne Dooley, Entry to Employment• Anne Gornall, Integrated Employment & Skills• Q and A session• Andy Fawcett, ESF Procurement Outcome• John Myers, Procurement Process & Timescales• Panel

Introductions & Agenda

LSC Approach to CommissioningSet out in LSC Regional Commissioning Plan: http://readingroom.lsc.gov.uk/lsc/NorthWest/LSC_NWCommissioning_Plan_200809.pdf)

Responding to Leitch

Mix of negotiation & open & competitive tendering (OCT)• Young people• Adults

LSC Approach to CommissioningAddressing 3 national priorities• Creating demand for learning & skills• Transforming the FE system to meet demand• Delivering better skills, better jobs & better lives

And an additional regional priority• Improving leadership & management

CSR AssumptionsYoung People Funding (£millions)

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

FE £3,046 £3,300 £3,416 £3,556

Apprenticeships £624 £637 £705 £776

e2e £198 £185 £186 £191

SSF £2,023 £2,054 £2,082 £2,101

Specialist LLDD £186 £196 £236 £276

Totals £6,077 £6,373 £6,626 £6,900

CSR Assumptions

Adult Learner & Employer Responsive Funding (£millions)

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

FE £1,807 £1,785 £1,719 £1,741

Apprenticeships £275 £290 £317 £334

TtG £521 £657 £777 £1,023

Ufi £114 £122 £122 £122

Employability Skills programme £24 £29 £36 £42

Totals £2,741 £2,883 £2,971 £3,261

Key messagesYoung people • Offer for 100% of young people – increase participation• Deliver the entitlement, September Guarantee at 16 AND 17• Roll out of diplomas• Target efforts to provide specialist provision to engage young people not in

employment, education or training (NEET) • Significant growth in Apprenticeships

Adult Learning• Develop a core adult offer to help people upskill, reskill and learn in each local

area • Within public funding focus on disadvantaged • Progression – to higher levels of learning and employment

Key messagesEmployers• Massive ramping up of Train to Gain activity required• New flexibilities to enhance the Train to Gain service• Local Employment Partnerships – skills for jobs and Train to Gain• Integrate Employment and Skills• Local Employment Partnerships must be ready to deliver for

employers who sign up• Locally we need to put together packages of support for individuals

and employer. • Focus on meeting local needs and tackling disadvantage through

priority learning delivery – it isn’t an either/or we need more disadvantaged individuals on priority learning

Machinery of Government Changes• Proposed new Young People’s Learning Agency to

support transfer of responsibility to Local Authorities for planning and funding of 14-19 provision

• Proposed new Skills Funding Agency for Adult and employer facing provision which will house the new National Apprenticeship Service; the National Employer Service and the new Adult Advancement and Careers Service

Timetable Date Action

from 28 March 2008 Successful PQQ applicants receive invitations to tender

31 March – 7 April ITT Briefing Events

early May Deadline for receipt of Tenders

mid June Tender evaluation complete

end June Notification of results & start of mandatory standstill period

early July Contract Clarification Commences

Apprenticeships

02

Stephen KelseySkills Development ManagerSectors Team

Overview

• The skills challenge of the global economy

• The social benefits of integrating employment and skills

• Extending choice between work-based and classroom- based learning

Young People Delivery 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08

Apprenticeships 12,394 12,932

Advanced Apprenticeships 3,206 3,740

TOTAL 15,600 16,672 16,263

Adult Delivery 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08

Apprenticeships 6,399 6,935

Advanced Apprenticeships 4,378 5,425

TOTAL 10,777 12,360 14,634

Young People Learner Participation

Adult Learner Participation

REGIONAL TOTAL 26,377 29,032 30,897

Leitch Aspirations

• 400,000 Apprentices in England by 2020

• One in five of all young people to undertake an Apprenticeship within the next decade

• Apprenticeship entitlement from 2013

• Opportunities for adults

Challenges

• Declining 16-18 Cohort

• Aspiration to reach 50% HE participation for young people

• Increasing employer involvement

National Apprenticeship Service•New delivery system

•Vacancy matching service

•Dedicated field force

•Fully functional by April 2009

Specification GuidanceThe Offer

• Provision that will replace poorly performing existing provision

• Growth in specific sectors and frameworks

• Expansion into new geographic areas/sectors

Sub-Regional ContextCheshire & Warrington

• Engineering• Construction• Rail Transport Engineering

Sub-Regional ContextCumbria

• Hospitality & Catering

(General mix with a heavy focus on service sectors that reflect the Cumbrian economy)

Sub-Regional ContextGreater Manchester

•Health & Social Care•Active Leisure & Learning•Hospitality & Catering•Retail

Sub-Regional ContextGreater Merseyside

• Retail• Logistics• Financial Services• Construction• Travel/Tourism• Hospitality & catering• IT

Sub-Regional ContextLancashire

• Business Administration• Retail• Beauty Therapy• Retail

(A range of other service sector related apprenticeships)

Train to Gain

03

Clive DuguidProvision ManagerTrain to Gain

Context - Train to Gain Plan for Growth• Government’s commitment to expand the Train to Gain Service

to over £1 billion by July 2011 and includes new flexibilities• Fundamental reinforcement of the Train to Gain Service as a

holistic offer to employers • ‘A Plan for Growth’ has been published by the LSC and DIUS

in support of our commitment to Train to Gain’s expansion and to show a clear path of how that expansion will be achieved.

• ITTs will support planned expansion and new flexibilities

Context - Funding change

Current arrangements• 50% paid on start and 50% on achievement

From 2008-09• 75% paid over learner’s expected length of stay• 25% on achievement

Our Approach

• Seeking a consistent regional offer with sub-regional context where appropriate

• An integrated employer offer including mainstream Train to Gain and ESF (Employer Responsive)

• Activity and funding allocated based on indicative analysis of skill levels within the sub-regions

• Responding to research into sector priorities/gaps where relevant

• Activity August 2008 to July 2011

Overall BudgetsNorthwest Employer Responsive Funding

Train to Gain Funding £100,000,000

Cheshire and Warrington £10,000,000 Cumbria £6,000,000

Greater Manchester £40,000,000 Lancashire £21,000,000 Greater Merseyside £23,000,000

ESF Funding North West £8,949,404Merseyside phasing-in area £8,482,684

Summary of ITTs – Train to Gain

Strand One - Skills for Life

• Literacy, Numeracy, ESOL Skills for Life (with employer contribution)

• All levels

Strand Two - NVQ Level 2

• First full Level 2

• Second vocationally relevant Level 2 (employment achieved as a result of

LEP)

Strand Three – NVQ Level 3 (assumed employer contribution?)

• First full Level 3

• Second vocationally relevant Level 3 (sector specific ?)

Skills Pledge Plus (excludes Merseyside)Employers signing the Skills Pledge

Vocationally Relevant Second NVQ Level 2(No LEP involvement)

NVQ Level 4Companies with fewer than 50 employees(NW exc Merseyside)Companies with fewer than 250 employees (Merseyside)

SkillworksMerseyside only

Summary of ITTs - ESF

Summary • First and second Level 2 NVQ

• First and second Level 3 NVQ

• First and second Level 4 NVQ

• Skills for Life all levels

• Skills Pledge Plus

• Skillworks

Where possible, delivered as an integrated solution to Employer skills needs.

Entry to Employment

04Jayne DooleyPartnership ManagerLancashire

Aim of the E2E Programme

• To assist young people who are not yet ready to access apprenticeship, FE or employment through a personalised programme of tailored support to engage in Post 16 learning opportunities

• The main target group being those not in education, employment or training (NEET)

Core elements of the programmeAll e2e learners must be able to access:

• Basic & key skills appropriate to their need

• Vocational development

• Personal & social development

Programme Design

• Length of stay according to need

• Personalised but structured to ensure progression

• Varied & interesting for the learner

• Allows the learner to develop & acquire skills & appropriate qualifications

• Motivates the learner

Priority e2e young people • Disaffected & vulnerable• Offenders• Substance misusers• Teenage parents• Care leavers• LLDD learners (including mental health issues)• Young people with little or no qualifications

(including basic skills)• Limited employability skills

Further Information• Detailed guidance on the content of e2e programmes can be found at:

http://e2e.lsc.gov.uk/documents/The-Framework-For-Entry-To-Employment-Programmes.htm

& http://readingroom.lsc.gov.uk/lsc/National/E2E_Entitlement_Curriculum.doc.

• A range of resources on e2e is available at: http://e2e.lsc.gov.uk/.

• Foundation Learning Tier: http://qfr.lsc.gov.uk/flt/

• Demand-led Funding:

http://readingroom.lsc.gov.uk/lsc/National/nat-16-18-adult-learner-and-employer-responsive-funding-models.pdf

• Requirements for funding work based learning, including e2e (paragraphs 174-

221):

http://readingroom.lsc.gov.uk/lsc/National/Requirements_for_Funding_WbL_2007-08-August2007.pdf

Applicants must evidence:Collaboration• How they will provide clear progression pathways• Where links will be made to other initiatives (e.g.

ESF NEET projects, offender learning, LAP)• The range of partners / sub contractors they will

work with to deliver a holistic programme• Local geographic knowledge of areas selected

including existing partnerships & referral agenciesPerformance• A proven track record of successful delivery• How a range of occupational sectors can be offered

NW Regional Requirements

NW will have one ITT for e2e with five annexes, one per local LSC area:• Each local area annex will further detail sub-area

requirements• Applicants must clearly indicate which sub-regions

& sub-areas they wish to bid for

Geography of delivery

Three sub-areas aligning to Unitary authorities from April 2009: Warrington, East Cheshire West Cheshire Specific area requirements: Access to provision Innovation in delivery

Cheshire & Warrington

No specific sub-areas – seeking a Cumbria wide provider with effective partnership.

Specific area requirements• Clearly demonstrate differing approaches to rural

and deprived areas• Clear vocational links to specific sectors.

Cumbria

Ten sub-areas reflecting the local authorities:Bolton, Bury, City of ManchesterOldham, Rochdale, SalfordStockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan

Specific area requirements:• Access which accounts for local needs and cross

boundary travel• Specialist area wide provision• Links to learning agreement pilot• Clear vocational links to specific sectors as

specified for individual areas

Greater Manchester

Six sub-areas reflecting the local authorities:Halton, KnowsleyLiverpool, SeftonSt. Helens, Wirral

Specific area requirements• Access which accounts for local district needs and

cross boundary travel• Clear vocational links to specific sectors as

specified for individual area requirements

Greater Merseyside

Eight sub-areas reflecting the local authorities:Lancaster & Morecambe, Preston, West LancashireChorley & South Ribble, Burnley & PendleHyndburn & Ross, Blackburn, Blackpool & Fylde &

Wyre

Specific area requirements:• Access which accounts for local needs and cross

boundary travel• Specialist area wide provision• Links to learning agreement pilot• Clear vocational links to specific sectors as

specified for individual areas

Lancashire

Outputs & outcomes

• circa 9,300 starts

• Expected progression rate of 50%

Funding & Contracting PeriodsTotal funding £37 million per year for three years

• Earliest start date 1 August 2008 • Latest start date 1 January 2009• End date 31 July 2011, subject to satisfactory

annual performance review

Integrating Employment & Skills

06Anne GornallSkills Development DirectorSkills for Employability, NW Regional Skills Team

Presentation

• Policy context

• Integrating Employment and Skills (IES)

• The NW Skills for Jobs framework

• ITTs– Sustainable Employment Programme (SEPs)– Employability Skills Programme (ESP)– Routeways and individual support– Community Grants

Policy

• LSC Statement of Priorities

‘Better skills, Better jobs, Better lives’

• Sub-national Review

Integrating Employment & Skills• LSC/JCP joint working• Local Employment Partnerships• Adult Advancement Service• Skills Health Checks• Skills Accounts• IES Trials• Commission for Employment and Skills• Skills Funding Agency

NW Skills for Jobs Framework

• Progression Routeways

• Employer engagement

• Individualised and flexible

• IAG support

• Consortia arrangements

• Outcome focused

Skills for Jobs

ITTs

• Sustainable Employment Programme

• Employability Skills Programme

• Routeways and individual support

• Community grants

ITTs - Sustainable Employment Programme• Focused on supporting Local Employment partnerships primarily

• Responsive to employer demand

• Progression to post employment training particularly Train to Gain

ITTs - Sustainable Employment Programme

Area Amount Launch Date

Cumbria £214,194 28/3/08

Cheshire & Warrington £421,002 28/3/08

Greater Manchester £2,106,599 28/3/08

Lancashire £832,008 28/3/08

Merseyside £2,200,000 28/3/08

Halton £74,939 28/3/08

Total £5,848,742 28/3/08

ITTs - Employability Skills Programme• Procured for Jobcentre Plus customers• Delivers Skills for Life integrated into an

Employability setting• Programme funding allocations will grow in

2009/10 and 2010/11• Award small contracts initially with the potential to

grow• Launch date 9/4/08

ITTs - Employability Skills Programme• NW Regional funding allocation 2008/09 is

£3,621,000

• Sub regional allocation to be advised

• Contracts will be awarded on a sub-regional basis

ITTs - Routeways & individual support Merseyside

– Priority Sectors – Skills Coaching– Employability Routeway

Cumbria– Offenders– Information Advice & Guidance– Skills for Jobs Routeways

Learners with Learning Difficulties/Disabilities– Greater Manchester Routeway into sustainable Employment– Cheshire & Warrington, Cumbria, Halton & Lancashire

Community Grants- Lancashire• LSC acting as the sole Co-Finance organisation managing

Community Grants

• Community Grants ITT was launched on the 10 December and we have secured a Grant Co-ordinating Body (GCB) in three of the four Northwest areas.

• Seeking a grants administrator for Lancashire.

• Total of £442k available in 2008-2010 for grants including 10% for administration

• Small community based organisations who would not normally access ESF – maximum grant £12k

ITTs - Routeways & individual support

Area Amount Launch dateGreater Merseyside Priority Sectors £912,395

28/3/08Greater Merseyside Skills Coaching £500,000

28/3/08Greater Merseyside - Employability £2,700,000

28/3/08Greater Manchester - LLDD £250,000

25/4/08Cheshire & Warrington, Cumbria, Lancashire & Halton - LLDD

£200,00025/4/08

Cumbria Skills for Jobs for Offenders £138,76228/3/08

Cumbria Skills for Jobs Routeways £532,02130/5/08

Cumbria Pathways to Progress throughInformation Advice & Guidance

£133,211To be confirmed

Community Grants £442,00028/3/08

Total £5,808,389

Key Issues

• The Adult employability offer

• Working Together

• Working with partners

• Achieving Results

Question & AnswerSession

ESF Co-Financing

Andy FawcettEconomic Development DirectorNorth West Region

06

Outcome of ESF Procurement• Circa. £117m of Contracts Awarded

• 157 contracts

• 81 organisations

• 127 third sector organisations either as contractor or sub contractor

The Tendering Process

07John MyersRegional Contracts Director

Procurement Policy

We believe that a sensible balance of commissioning and tendering will:

–help to secure the provision we need –allow new entrants to the market where they add value

and choice; –and, simultaneously, enable good providers to grow

The LSC introduced the e-tendering system in February 2007, the system ensures a robust audit trail is maintained, it is more environmentally friendly, and is more secure.

Procurement Policy

• As a public body, the LSC has to follow the public procurement rules and must ensure that the process is open, fair and transparent.

• We will issue 3 year contracts (where appropriate) that will be extendable to 5 years subject to performance. Contracts can be varied up and down in value as a result of reconciliation and performance.

• Contracts will have start date flexibility to allow provision to start when appropriate (i.e. do not all have to be 1st August).

ScheduleOpens Closes Programme28/03 09/05 Train to Gain02/04 14/05 Apprenticeships02/04 14/05 E2E09/04 21/05 ESP28/03 02/05 ESF

Time deadlines will be specified on each ITT We advise providers to submit early

ITTs

• Tenders due 5 or 6 weeks from ITT– Using fair, transparent and robust scoring framework.

• Contract Award Panels (CAPs) will agree each contract offer against original tender specification.

• Local partnership team will carry out “contract clarification” with relevant providers - this will also be used to agree contract levels.

• Contracts awards expected from end of June 2008.

Things you will need to do• Read the “ Read me first” document FIRST• Start early• Save regularly• Publish your response well before closing date – we cannot

accept any tenders that are received passed the closing date and time.

• Only use the message facility on Bravo for queries• Check that the ITT is complete before submitting

– Attachments must be attached– All asterisked sections MUST be completed

• If you need guidance try the “supplier help guide” on the e-tendering portal or email help@bravosolution.co.uk

You should not

• Try to upload any documents other than Word or Excel.• Omit Attachments.

– if they are missing when we evaluate then you will not be successful.

• Leave it until the last minute to submit / publish your tender(s)

• Leave your LSC e-tendering session running with no activity - if you do your session will time-out after 15 minutes and you will lose all unsaved work

• Complete requested ITTs for any region in which you did not express an interest as they will not be evaluated

1 NATIONAL ITTTo be completed once for each

programme

9 REGIONAL ITT’s9 Regional ITT’s to be completed

for each region for which you wish to provide the programme

Content: Train 2 Gain

There is 1 National ITT that MUST be completed for each programme

•National ‘READ ME FIRST’ Attachment – provides instructions and guidance for completion and details of the programme.•National Questionnaire Attachment – specific to the programme.

There are 9 Regional ITT’s for each programme (you should only complete those regional ITTs for which you expressed an interest):

•Regional ‘READ ME FIRST’ Attachment – provides regional instructions and guidance for completion and details of the regional tender.•Regional Questionnaire Attachment – specific to the regional programme requirements.•Regional Demographic Spreadsheet Attachment – specific to the regional programme requirements.

Structure of the ITT(s)

Opening the national ITT(s)

Read the READ ME FIRST ThoroughlyRefer Back

NATIONAL ITT

READ ME FIRSTInstruction and Guidance &

National Objectives

NATIONAL QUESTIONNAIREQuality, Management Capacity

Opening the RegionalITT(s)

Read the READ ME FIRST ThoroughlyRefer Back

REGIONAL ITT

READ ME FIRSTInstruction and Guidance

REGIONAL SPECIFICATION & REQUIREMENTS

AND QUESTIONNAIRE

Opening the RegionalITT(s)

Attachments WordExcelONLY!

SPECIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

What’s required and where

QUESTIONNAIREWhat and How you intend

meet the requirements

SPREADSHEETNumbers / Outputs / Locations

Supplier Screenshot

PLEASE NOTE

Late Tenders cannot not be considered

The time deadline will be specified on each tender document

The content from these events is available at www.lsc.gov.uk

Question & AnswerSession