Skills provision for unemployed adults - its delivery and impact

[Background] [Aims] [Audience] [Outcomes] [Programme] [Event Information] [Application Conditions]

Background

Skills provision for unemployed adults through the Adult Skills Budget began on 1^st August 2011. The provision, initially announced in Skills for Sustainable Growth, BIS, (2010) requires providers to:

• identify resources from within their adult skills budget allocation to fund the provision
• develop provision based on local labour market demand following local planning in conjunction with key stakeholders including Jobcentre Plus
• provide short courses through which learners can gain QCF units
• provide support for learners mandated to attend by Jobcentre Plus
• ensure provision is flexible enough to meet individual needs and;
• meet capacity building objectives in 2011/12 to receive 2.5% of their adult skills budget paid in the form of a Job Outcome Incentive Payment

With these and many more of the arrangements within the provision of skills for unemployed adults breaking new ground, this provision is viewed by providers as challenging to deliver, albeit vital to further the opportunities of adults struggling to re-enter the labour market.

This seminar will reveal the early experiences of providers delivering skills provision for unemployed adults. The seminar will also examine the interface between skills provision for unemployed adults and other provision to support unemployed adults and discuss the impact on these initiatives of prolonged low economic growth. 

Top of Page

_______________________________

Aims

The seminar will: 

• discuss current policy and practice relating to skills provision for unemployed adults
• discuss the early experiences of FE, ITP, ACL and VCS providers delivering skills provision for unemployed adults
• discuss the interface between skills provision for unemployed adults and employment initiatives such as subsidised employment placements, Work Together, Jobcentre Plus arranged work experience, Work Clubs and the Work Programme
• discuss the wider context in which skills provision for unemployed adults is being delivered including the impact of low employer demand for staff and increasing numbers of Jobcentre Plus customers due to the prolonged weakness of the economy
• propose future developments and improvements to the provision of skills for unemployed adults

Top of Page

_______________________________

Outcomes

The seminar will:

• give policy makers the opportunity to meet with providers and consider progress so far to inform future developments
• give providers involved in delivering skills provision for unemployed adults an opportunity to exchange ideas and approaches, consider the impact of the latest developments and influence future developments
• give providers not currently involved, an insight into the realities of delivering skills provision for unemployed adults
• give stakeholders and individuals with an interest in the provision an insight into what the skills provision for unemployed adults is achieving and how it may serve their communities

Response from DWP:

• Responses to questions asked by delegates at the seminar and taken back to the DWP by Nicholas Robinson (PDF - 41KB)

Top of Page

_______________________________

Audience

• National and regional policy and decision makers within government departments and agencies, local authorities and other stakeholders
• Senior and operational managers within general FE colleges, independent training providers, ACL providers and voluntary and community sector learning providers
• Senior and operational managers from agencies and intermediaries involved in supporting unemployed adults including charities, social enterprises, IAG providers, housing associations, probation services and health and social care services
• People with an interest in skills provision and/or support for unemployed learners.

Top of Page

_______________________________

Programme

A late start so those traveling from London and the South can take advantage of the 9.15am off-peak rail fare;
arriving in Leicester at 10.30am

Top of Page

_______________________________

Event Information

• Arrival and registration is at 10:15am for a 10:45am start. The event will end with lunch at 1.30pm
• Event fee per person: £85 - NIACE member fee; £99 non-member fee (includes sandwich lunch, tea/coffee)
• NB: NIACE does not charge VAT on conference or course fees.
• Only online application forms with the payments section completed will be processed.
• NB: If you wish us to invoice your employer we require a copy of the Purchase Order before the form is processed.
• Places will be allocated in order of receipt of completed online application forms (one online application form per person)
• Video cameras may be in use at this event. If you do not wish to be photographed or appear on the video outputs please indicate this on the application form and make yourself known at registration
• Participants should be prepared to take their own notes as there will not be handouts for all sessions
• If you have not received an e-mail confirming your attendance and joining instructions 4 working days before the event please contact: events@niace.org.uk

Top of Page

_______________________________

Application Conditions

• Event: Wednesday 1 February 2012
• Closing Date: Thursday 19 January 2012
• Cancellations are non-refundable.
• The full fee is payable prior to the event
• Substitutions are to be advised 5 working days prior to the event
• A 15 working days notice period is required for provision of electronic note-takers, sign language interpreters and transcription to Braille
• Places are to be reserved online - scroll up and click on Apply Now
• Reservations by telephone cannot be accepted
• Application forms are individually acknowledged by e-mail. Joining instructions, including map and directions, will be e-mailed out one week before the event.
• NIACE reserves the right to reject applicants who are not from the target audience list.

Top of Page

_______________________________