200713 ESF ITT Briefing Presentation 101008

1
European Social Fund 2007-13 Learning and Skills
Council North West Invitation to Tender Briefings
October 2008 Andy Fawcett Director of Economic
Development LSC Northwest
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ITT Briefing Event

• Welcome and Introductions
• Part A Overview of ITTs
• Adults (IAG)
• Other
• Employer Responsiveness
• Question and Answer
• Part B - Application Process
• Bravo Solution
• The Application Form(s)
• Question and Answer

3
Programme Developments

• Revision to ESF Regional Frameworks
• - managed via regional Skills and Employment
  Boards
• - light touch process
• Additional Funding
• - some flexibility
• - activity prescribed by ESF Programme
• Innovative Activity

4
Additional Funding
5
Innovative Activity

• ESF Operational programmed has allocated funding
  for innovative activity
• All dedicated innovative projects will have a
  transnational or inter-regional dimension (i.e.
  at least one partner from another EU Member
  State)
• Innovative and transnational activity will be
  delivered through direct bidding outside of
  Co-financing
• Normally there will be up to three innovative and
  transnational projects per region in view of the
  separate budget allocation for the phasing in
  area of Merseyside, this could mean up to 6 in
  total for the region.

6
Innovative Activity - Themes

• Active Inclusion (Priorities 1 and 2)
• Engaging with Employers (Priorities 1 and 2
• ICT and the Digital Divide (Priorities 1 and 2
• Meeting New Challenges Demographic Change
  (Older Workers and Migration) (Priorities 1 and 2
• Meeting New Challenges Skills for Climate
  Change and Sustainable Development (Priority 2)
• Social Enterprise (Priorities 1 and 2)

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Innovation Themes
8
Revised Co-Finance Plan

• Revised Draft Co-Finance Plan - October/November
  2008
• Consultation - November/December 2008
• Procurement round - March 2009
• Contracts - September 2009

9
Procurement

• Provision of learning
• A two stage approach
• Stage 1 PQQ (completed for 2008)
• Stage 2 - Invitations to Tender
• Over 4800 organisations across all four elements
• Open ITTs
• Increasing demand for learning amongst employers
• Enhancing employer engagement
• Capacity building activities
• Adult guidance
• Also
• Activity funded via Technical Assistance

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ITTs (PQQs)
11
Open ITTs
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Overview of Invitations to Tender Adults and
Other Andy Fawcett Director of Economic
Development LSC Northwest
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Priority 1 Adults

• The Employability Skills agenda has increased in
  importance in policy terms culminating in July
  2007 with the publication of
• World Class Skills Implementing the Leitch
  Review in England
• The Sub National Review of Economic Development
• The DWP Green Paper In Work Better Off
• The LSC has responded by developing an integrated
  model for employment and skills underpinned by
  individual and employer customer journeys

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Priority 1 Adults

• Skills for Jobs aim is
• To reduce the number of adults not in employment
  through more effective engagement in learning and
  by moving them into sustainable jobs
• To develop an integrated skills and employment
  system responsive to the needs of economically
  inactive individuals and the needs of employers.
  

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Priority 1 Adults

• Skills for Jobs Framework Principles
• Employer engagement critical
• Client centred - individualised and flexible
• Information, Advice and Guidance is critical
• Progressive fill the gaps, make the connections
• Building on City Employment Strategy models
• Responding to Local Area Agreements
• Bringing cohesion, enhancement and greater
  efficiency to the current investment by a range
  of organisations
• Outcome focused sustainable jobs

16
Priority 1 - NW/ADULT/S25

• Cumbria Pathways to Progress through IAG Skills
  for Jobs
• Open ITT
• Enhancements to IAG services to support
  unemployed and economically in active adults to
  make informed choices about learning and job
  opportunities
• Funding available 158,000
• Work with 396 adults
• Activity May 2009 to December 2010

17
Priority 1 - NW/Other/S10

• Cumbria Skills for Jobs for Offenders
• ITT restricted to PQQ qualified organisations
• To support offenders to develop employability
  skills and to secure sustainable employment
• Approximate case load in Cumbria 2000
• Target volume 113 offenders with 34 gaining an
  employment outcome
• Funding 166,420
• May 2009 to December 2010

18
Priority 1 - NW/Other/S11

• Greater Manchester Skills for Jobs The
  Employability Skills Routeway into Sustainable
  Employment for People with Learning Difficulties
  and/or Disabilities
• ITT restricted to PQQ qualified organisations
• To move adults aged 19 who are resident in
  Greater Manchester who have LLDD issues
  (including mental health issues) into sustainable
  employment
• Target volume 120 individuals
• Maximum Funding 300,000
• May 2009 to December 2010

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Overview of Invitations to Tender Employer
Responsive Ann Comiskey Skills Development
Manager LSC Northwest
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Priority 2 - Employers

• Objective is to develop a skilled and adaptable
  workforce by
• Reducing the number of workers without basic
  skills
• Increasing the number of workers qualified to
  Level 2 and, where appropriate, to Level 3
• Developing managers and workers in small
  enterprises
• The activities described in this presentation
  will
• Help workers to develop the skills needed to
  enable them to sustain employment and to progress
  in the future
• Help to improve productivity, innovation,
  enterprise and competitiveness

21
Our Approach

• Seeking a consistent regional offer with
  sub-regional context where appropriate and with
  additional provision for Merseyside
• Responses to consultation taken into account
• ITTs aligned with and seek to enhance Train to
  Gain a more comprehensive offer for employers
• Ensure that these activities complement and do
  not duplicate other programmes eg Skills for Jobs
• Responding to sector priorities where appropriate
• Activity May 2009 to July 2011

22
Overall Budgets

• Northwest
• ESF Funding for 2009-2011 22,492,914
• Merseyside PhasingIn Area
• ESF Funding for 2009-2011 16,283,411

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Summary of ITTs - Restricted

• Northwest including Merseyside Phasing-In Area
  (30 September)
• Training In-Company mentors to support employee
  retention
• Funding 900,000
• Results - Employees completing mentoring
  training
• -
• Functional IT Skills in the workplace
• Funding 2,448,000
• Results - Achievement of ITQ
• Meeting skills needs of disadvantaged people in
  the workplace Funding 1,200,000
• Results - Learners completing personal
• development program
  mes
• - Achievement of NVQL1

24
Summary of ITTs - Restricted

• Northwest including Merseyside Phasing-In Area
  (30 September)
• Additional NVQ Level 2 and 3
• Funding 10,997,490
• Results - Achievement of NVQ Level 2 and
  3
• Train the Trainer
• Funding 1,020,000
• Results - Achievement of AV qualifications
• Supporting the growth in Apprenticeships for
  Adults
• Funding 1,876,000
• Results - Achievement of technical
  certificates

25
Summary of ITTs - Restricted

• Northwest including Merseyside Phasing-In Area
• (30 September)
• Workforce development in coaching and instructing
  occupations within the Sport, Fitness and Outdoor
  industries
• Funding 477,249
• Results - Achievement of industry specific
  qualifications
• NVQ Level 4
• Funding 672,271
• Results - Achievement of NVQ Level 4

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Summary of ITTs - Restricted

• Merseyside Phasing-In Area and Greater Manchester
  only (30 September)
• Pathway to NVQ Level 2
• Funding 1,966,500
• Results - Completion of personal development
  programmes
• - Achievement of NVQ Level 1

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Summary of ITTs - Open

• North West including Merseyside Phasing-In Area
  (7 October)
• Employer pool and integrated career development
  mentoring programme
• Funding 2,819,515
• Results - Employers engaged
  - Apprentices supported
• Employer engagement in Creative and Media
  Apprenticeships
• Funding 300,100
• Results - Employers engaged
  - Apprentices supported
• Inward Investor and restructuring company
  response programme
• Funding 6,900,000
• Results - Companies and individuals assisted

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Summary of ITTs - Open

• Merseyside Phasing-In Area (7 October)
• Skillworks
• Funding 6,000,000
• Results - Companies supported
  - Individuals trained
• Voluntary and Community Sector Skills Pledge
  Plus
• Funding 1,201,100
• Results - Employers signing the skills
  
  pledge

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Part A

• QUESTION
• AND
• ANSWER
• SESSION

30
Supporting the Submission of Quality
Tenders John Myers Contracts Director LSC
Northwest
31
Supporting the Submission of Quality Tenders

• Current Opportunities Restricted/Open Tendering
• Bravo Screenshots Walkthrough
• Hints Tips
• Obtaining Assistance

32
Restricted / Open Tendering

• The current tendering opportunities are either
  open or restricted.
• Restricted tenders are for those providers who
  have been successful at the PQQ stage.
• Open tenders are for all providers and are
  widely advertised.

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Restricted / Open Tendering

• Based on the type of service
• PQQ process pre-qualified providers
  specifically for learning provision
• Open tenders any Supplier can express an
  interest and submit a bid as long as they are a
  Legal Entity and based within the European Union

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Hints Tips

• Save your work regularly at least every 15
  minutes
• Download the attachments save and complete them
  offline
• Read The Read me First document
• Do not alter the documentation

41
Hints Tips (2)

• Start early
• Publish your response before (closing date for
  restricted tenders 12.00 on 19th November 2008
  for open tenders 12.00 26th November 2008)
• Do read the hints and tips in the questionnaire
• You must complete all mandatory fields (marked
  with a )

42
Hints and Tips (3)

• Do not try to upload documents other than in word
  or excel format, and only upload the requested
  documents, no additional documents such as
  insurance policies etc are required
• You can still check your submission after you
  have published and amend up until the closing
  date
• After uploading documents please check your
  submission to ensure the documents have been
  uploaded correctly

43
Obtaining Assistance

• Seeking to support the completion of quality
  tenders
• Use the on-line messaging service All queries
  will be answered within 48 hours
• Check that the Bravo system holds your current
  e-mail address, this will ensure you receive
  important messages during the Tenders

44
Obtaining Assistance (2)

• Refer to the on-line support material
• Existing contractors must not seek assistance
  from contacts within partnership teams
• We will seek to issue regular broadcasts to all
  users via the messaging service

45
Completing the Application Form Samantha
Mercer Economic Development Manager LSC
Northwest
46
Timetable
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Tendering Process

• Basic Checks Technical/Commercial Parameters
• Evaluation
• Contract Award Panel
• Regional Management Team Endorsement
• Debrief
• Appeals Procedure

48
Scoring Criteria

• Section 1 Activity Arrangements and Delivery
  Arrangements
• Section 2 Management Arrangements
• Section 3 Added Value and Value for Money
• Section 4 Track Record
• Section 5 Cross Cutting Themes and Exit
  Strategy
• Section 6 Output and Outcome Profile
• Section 7 Funding Cost

49
Common Errors

• Projects squeezed into programmes
• Assumptions
• Weasel Words
• Jargon, Acronyms
• Not providing justification or relevant examples
• Not reading the instructions
• Cutting and pasting and not proof-reading

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Section 1 Activity Summary and Delivery
Arrangements

• Activity Summary
• Meeting the Service Requirements
• Criteria Demonstrate how the proposed activity
  is innovative and/or builds on effective practice
  to address the Service Requirements
• Identify who the participants are, what you
  propose to do with them and where
• Provide evidence of how it links to the Service
  Requirements
• Demonstrate how the activities are innovative
  and/or build on effective practice

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Section 1 Activity Summary andDelivery
Arrangements

• Defining the Target Groups
• Criteria Demonstrate an understanding of the
  target group and their needs
• Identify who the target group is and what their
  needs are
• Explain how the activities will respond to these
  needs
• Identify how the project will provide learner
  support measures

52
Section 1 Activity Summary and Delivery
Arrangements

• Engaging and Meeting the Needs of Eligible Target
  Groups
• Criteria Demonstrate how the proposed activity
  will engage with and meet the needs of the target
  group
• Explain how you will engage with, recruit and
  retain participants, demonstrate its
  appropriateness
• Identify how needs will be identified and
  addressed imaginatively and innovatively

53
Section 1 Activity Summary andDelivery
Arrangements

• Employer Needs and Understanding of the Local
  Economy
• Criteria Demonstrate how the activities proposed
  will respond to the needs of employers and the
  local economy
• Respond to needs of the local employer base and
  known skill shortages
• Support the regions priority sectors and/or
  growth sectors

54
Section 1 Activity Summary and Delivery
Arrangements

• Responding to Strategies and Plans
• Criteria Demonstrate how the activities will
  add value and complement relevant strategies,
  plans frameworks and policy initiatives
• Identify how the activities will deliver the
  objectives of partnerships, strategies and plans.
• Refer to Skills for Jobs and/or Train to Gain.

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Section 1 Activity Summary andDelivery
Arrangements

• Partnership Working
• Criteria Describe the added value of
  partnership working and what this feature will
  bring
• Identify how the activities will deliver the
  objectives of partnerships, strategies and plans.
• Demonstrate how the activities will support and
  facilitate the progression of individuals
• Also identify
• Identify role and responsibilities for each
  partner including lead organisation, submit
  letters of support.
• Identify whether each organisation will receive
  ESF and approximate amount

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Section 2 Management Arrangements

• Delivery Mechanisms
• Criteria The delivery mechanisms for the
  proposed activity demonstrate that they are
  appropriate to the proposed target groups,
  sectors and geographic locations
• How project will be developed, implemented,
  measured and evaluated include publicity and
  promotion activities
• Describe the infrastructure for the delivery of
  the activity
• Identify qualifications to be delivered and
  achieved including volumes
• How will the activity will remain flexible to
  respond to changes
• Identify weekly hours on project

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Section 2 Management Arrangements

• Ensuring Quality of Provision
• Criteria Demonstrate that the activity will be
  delivered within a quality assurance framework
• Continuous improvement arrangements, learner
  evaluation, quality systems ie Common Inspection
  Framework, Matrix
• Arrangements for monitoring programme activity
  and learner needs
• Commitment to IIP
• Financial Spend and Internal Audit Arrangements
• Management Information Systems and Resources
• Accredited Centre for Qualifications being
  delivered

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Section 2 Management Arrangements

• Timescales and Milestones
• Criteria Demonstrate a clear programme of the
  key stages for your proposal indicating how they
  will deliver the activities with appropriate
  timescales and milestones
• Outline key stages and how it meets Activities to
  be Supported and Additional Requirements
• Describe timescales for main processes and
  stages, demonstrate these are realistic
• Identify key milestones for the project and
  timescale/achievement dates minimum
  requirements identified in Application Form

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Section 2 Management Arrangements

• Management and Monitoring Arrangements
• Criteria Demonstrate that effective management
  and monitoring arrangements are in place
• Explain how the project will be managed and
  monitored effectively to ensure delivery of aims,
  objectives, outputs and milestones
• Identify sub-contracting arrangements

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Section 3 Added Value and Value for Money

• Adding Value to Other Activities Available for
  Target Groups in Geographic Location
• Criteria Demonstrate how the identified
  activities will add value to other activities
  available for the target groups in the proposed
  geographic locations
• Give details of similar or complementary projects
  highlight linkages
• Identify research undertaken
• How will activity be creative and how will
  effective practice be shared to further develop
  the area

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Section 3 Added Value andValue for Money

• Value for Money
• Criteria Value for Money
• Explain how activity has been designed to ensure
  maximum effectiveness, promote excellence and
  high quality delivery
• Average Unit costs for
• Company Assisted
• Individual Assisted
• Qualification Achieved

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Section 4 Track Record

• Track Record of Managing and Delivering Similar
  Activity and Management Capacity
• Criteria Demonstrate that the lead organisation
  and its staff have a track record of managing and
  successfully delivering similar activity and that
  the organisation has the capacity to manage the
  activity of the size proposed
• Details of projects managed
• Justification of lead organisations capacity
• Staff and qualifications relevant to activities
• Specialist expertise
• Experience of managing partners/sub-contractors

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Section 4 Track Record

• Track Record of Working in Geographic Locations
• Criteria Demonstrate that the organisations
  involved in delivering the proposed activity have
  a successful track record of working the in the
  proposed geographic locations
• Provide lead organisation partners track record
  in working in location, name specific
  projects/initiatives where appropriate
• Identify results achieved

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Section 4 Track Record

• Track Record of Working with Identified Target
  Groups, Sectors and Employers
• Criteria Demonstrate that the organisations
  involved in delivering the proposed activity have
  a successful track record of working with the
  proposed target groups, sectors and employers
• For target groups identified, outline lead
  organisation partners track record in working
  with target groups, name specific
  projects/initiatives where appropriate
• Identify success rates
• Include examples of engagement and retention
  strategies

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Section 5 Cross Cutting Themesand Exit Strategy

• Contribution to Equal Opportunities Cross
  Cutting Theme
• A Wide range of needs you might have to deal
  with when working with beneficiaries Describe the
  wide range of needs that exist within your target
  groups
• Demonstrate that you understand these different
  needs
• Explain any previous experience you have of
  working with the target group and/or research
  conducted or consultation exercises

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Section 5 Cross Cutting Themes and Exit
Strategy

• B Will the design and delivery of your project
  meet these different needs?
• Explain how the design and delivery takes into
  account the wide range of needs that exist within
  your target group
• Explain how previous experience and/or research
  conducted or consultation exercises has informed
  design and delivery

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Section 5 Cross Cutting Themes and Exit
Strategy

• C Does your organisation have an Equal
  Opportunities Policy and Plan that explains how
  you will put this into place and monitor
  progress? How will this impact on the project?
• Explain how the Policy and Plan will impact on
  staff and beneficiaries involved in project
• Describe what equal opportunities targets you
  will set and how these will be monitored and
  reviewed
• Explain how you will deal with complaints of
  discrimination, bullying or harassment
• Confirm that your organisation will meet
  Disability Discrimination Act etc

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Section 5 Cross Cutting Themesand Exit Strategy

• D Marketing and Publicity that reflects your
  organisations commitment to equal
  opportunities?
• Describe the different methods and types of
  marketing and publicity materials
• Make specific reference to how equal
  opportunities issues will be reflected in your
  choice of material

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Section 5 Cross Cutting Themesand Exit Strategy

• Contribution to Sustainability Cross Cutting
  Theme
• Criteria Demonstrates contribution to the
  Sustainable Development Cross Cutting Theme
• Protecting the environment
• Careful use of resources
• Progress which recognises the needs of everyone
• Maintaining high and steady levels of economic
  growth and employment

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Section 5 - Cross Cutting Themes and Exit
Strategy

• Exit Strategy
• Criteria Demonstrate that the project has a
  clear and appropriate exit strategy
• Provide an exit strategy, indicating one of the
  following
• Activities lead to ongoing delivery through core
  funds
• Development will be able to secure other funding
  streams
• Project will come to a natural close

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Part B - Section 6 Output and Outcome Profile

• Review ITT for details of outputs and results
  that LSC wishes to deliver
• Complete Part B Output and Outcome Profile with
  Deliverables
• Identify the volume of each Deliverable to be
  delivered in each month

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Part B Section 7 Funding Costs

• Provide breakdown of all costs
• Use headings included in Application Form do
  not deviate
• Costs must be realistic and relate to delivery of
  project
• Identify cost of project on annual basis
• Identify how the cost will be funded
• Balance of Funding
• Self calculating
• Items marked with an Asterisk are used to
  determine

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Additional Support All Sectors

• LSC Website for Frequently Asked Questions
• Messaging service via Bravosolution - Matters of
  fact or clarification only
• www.esf.gov.uk for ESF eligibility queries

74
Additional Support Voluntary/ Community Sector
Only

• North West Network John Hacking - 0161 236 6493
• Merseyside Network for Europe Richard Finch
  0151 258 1454

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Part B

• QUESTION
• AND
• ANSWER
• SESSION