1. Welcome GMLPF 2015 Spring Forum

2. Content GMLPF Schools Strategy GMLPF Membership Services Skills Devolution Apprenticeship Reform

3. GMLPF Spring Forum 2015 Membership Services

4. Support ambitions of membership Dedicated staff Structured calendar/programme of support

5. Membership Services Assisting growth and evolution Value added services: Consultancy support Business development Consortium development

6. Membership Services Pipeline activity: Assurance Programme - Summer 2015 Challenge Fund - Autumn 2015

7. Questions for Discussion Quality –What areas are of critical importance? –What can GMLPF do to assist? Business Support/Development –What would a support programme offer? –What type of approach? Maths and English –What are the challenges? –What can GMLPF contribute?

8. GMLPF Spring Forum 2015 Skills Devolution

9. Skills Devolution - Background Core Cities London Government financial devolution Combined Authorities Adonis Review into growth Manchester devolution package LCR City and Growth Deals

10. Skills Devolution – LCR ask Devolve decision making on the commissioning and funding allocations of skills budgets (including adult skills, apprenticeships and study programmes) to the Liverpool City Region. With Immediate effect – (no date provided)

11. Skills Devolution – LCR ask Performance oversight Influence growth awards for local providers - Head Office or delivering a significant funding allocation within LCR Allowing for potential at LCR level to vary course prices based upon local economic demand.

12. Skills Devolution - Provider Forum Senior Leadership Group HE, FE, ILP, Vol Com Self regulated Annual programme of work Terms of Reference Task and Finish Groups

13. Skills Devolution – Provider Forum Evidence that the powers, freedoms and flexibilities afforded by national skills policy and guidance are deployed and influenced by local skills priorities Direct and measurable impact on the availability and responsiveness of local provision.

14. Skills Devolution – Challenges an Considerations Understanding the ambition Determining how we can best engage Data and LMI – establishing a sound evidence base Building on past experience of devolved powers Using our expert knowledge of employers, learners and existing programmes to bring added value

15. Questions for Discussion What additional flexibilities to AGE grants should we seek in LCR? –Are there particular employer groups which are hard to engage and how might we use AGE to address this? –What ‘features’ would help to achieve maximum impact? ASB - What changes to eligibility and funding of programmes would help increase progression? Growth in Level 3 and 4+ vocational provision has slowed in recent years – why is this? –What would help us to achieve a better match between supply and demand at this level? –What would stimulate you to grow L3/4 provision?

16. GMLPF Spring Forum 2015 Apprenticeship Reform

17. Dates back to July 2013 Technical consultation - 955 of the 1459 total respondents from employers 456 responses generated by NWPN Just under 200 from GMLPF January 2015 ‘further detailed design work is required’ Acknowledgement of employer concerns from consultation exercise

18. Apprenticeship Reform – what we know 2015 budget statement confirms Apprenticeship Credit system as mechanism for routing funding Trialled in 2014/15 and 2015/16 £1 spent by an employer, Government contribution of £2 5 funding levels (caps) Three incentive payments for employers: 16-18 year olds SME Completion The Government will fully fund qualifications in Maths and English up to Level 2.

19. Apprenticeship Reform – what we don’t know Negotiations - effects Assessment methods Employer awareness Apprenticeship agreements Organisational change

20. Questions for Discussion What are your primary concerns? How might the changes affect sectors and age groups? What can/should GMLPF do to support members through transition period? What forms of messaging, influencing and lobbying can GMLPF develop, and who should this be targeted at?