1. Welcome The Skills Funding Agency’s role in ESF Presented by Tony Skeel

2. How we have been working What we have funded Points to note on transition The policy messages Overview

3. Regional Co-financing Plans National procurement Working on a large footprint –Regional contracts – the ‘old’ south west –Local authorities, or multiples of LAs National Specifications – with local variation A consistent approach to contract management – –Managing performance –Audit –Performance data –Publicity How we have been working

4. Priority 1 – Extending employment opportunities Activities for NEETs 14-19 –7 contracts up to end of 2013, currently procuring up to July 2015. Skills Support for the Unemployed –3 contracts up to end of July 2015. Community Grants –A single contract up to the end of 2013, planning further procurement up to end July 2015. What we have funded

5. Priority 2 – Developing a Skilled and Adaptable Workforce Skills Support for Redundancy –2 contracts up to end of July 2015. Workplace Learning –A single contract up to end July 2015. Skills Support for the Workplace –Contracts based on LEP priorities and procured on LEP footprints –2 strands – the core programme and the Local Response Fund What we have funded

6. The Skills Funding Agency will have an ESF Co-financed programme until end July 2015 No clarity yet on the roles across government in relation to the the new programme Procurement on Skills Support for the Workforce specifically worked with LEP priorities Managing expectations and supporting a legacy Points to note on transition

7. Preliminary Guidance to LEPs and the technical annex Rigour and Responsiveness Structural funds allocations confirmed The Comprehensive Spending Review 2015/16 –£500m from BIS to LEPs - £330m capital and £170m revenue The policy messages