INFORMATION UPDATE 2010 - IMPORTANT CHANGES TO NOTE
The Enhancement Fund has funded a broad range of training for businesses in all sectors of the economy since its launch eighteen months ago. Demand for the Fund has been very high and applications across all three routes have resulted in over 8,000 businesses being supported.
As the Fund enters its latter phases we will continue to support businesses in the most effective way possible. Analysis carried out to date has identified patterns of demand and therefore more activity has been commissioned in these areas. This process will continue and the commissioned activity route will be the primary operating mechanism, enabling the Fund to have a significant impact on particular sectors or geographical areas and be responsive to the needs of both employers and the economy.
The Single Business application and Provider routes will only be considered in instances where a commission is not available to support a particular area of training. This method, along with other revisions detailed below, will ensure that the remaining funds are effectively utilised.
With immediate effect, Providers contracted to deliver commissioned activity will be required to:
· Work closely with Business Link to ensure effective referrals and marketing
· Refocus activity in specific geographical areas to meet demand
With effect from 1st May 2010, applications will be accepted subject to the following guidelines:
· Provider Route Applications:
- can be supported to a maximum of £60k with 100% named demand
- will be withdrawn if training has not commenced within 2 months of the contract being issued
· Single Business Applications:
- will be limited to 1 per company every 6 months with a maximum allowance of £20,000 per application. - Multiple skills needs can be supported as long as training starts within two months of approval.
Demand for Higher Level skills has also been very high. Funding for Higher Level skills will be focussed on developing the technical skills requirements of the NINJ (New Industry New Jobs) and economic growth sectors as follows: Please contact our team of specialist advisors for information relating to specific applications or potential commissioning ideas. Contact details can be found here. Last updated 23 April 2010
Summary of revisions to the Fund