Mainstreaming Transnationality into European Social Fund Programmes in Wales (2007-2013) Neil Thomas...

Mainstreaming Transnationality into European Social Fund

Programmes in Wales (2007-2013)

Neil Thomas (Welsh Assembly Government)

Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Europe and Wales: Investing in your future

WALES EUROPEAN STRUCTURAL FUND REGIONS 2007 - 2013


West Wales & the Valleys Convergence Priorities

1. Supplying young people with the skills for employment (€164.9m*)

2. Increasing employment and tackling economic inactivity (€286.8m*)

3. Improving skill levels and the adaptability of the workforce (€331.8m*)

4. Modernising and improving the quality of our public services (€33.0m*)

(* ESF grant values)


Convergence Priority 1: Supplying young people with skills for learning

and future employment

• Priority focuses exclusively on young people 11-19;• Tackling underachievement as well as raising skills and

aspirations;• 70% of resources will be targeted at the 14-19 and 30% at 11-

13;• 25% of young people helped will be in the NEET category;• 30% of participants to gain qualifications and 60% to progress to

further learning.


Convergence Priority 2 and RC&E Priority 1: Increasing employment and tackling economic inactivity

• Shift of focus more towards the economically inactiveConvergence – 70%RC&E – 85%

• Targets to get 25% of participants into work; 30% to gain qualifications and 33% to progress to further learning (both programmes);

• Convergence priority can also support workplace heath programmes.


Convergence Priority 3 and RCE Priority 2: Improving skill levels and the adaptability

of the workforce

• 60% of Convergence funding will be targeted at raising the skills base (i.e. basic literacy and numeracy, and up to Level 2);

• 35% at higher level skills i.e. Levels 3, 4 and above;

• 5% at promoting gender equality;

• Strong emphasis within RCE programme on raising skills base but also scope for supporting training at higher levels within small businesses (up to 50 employees);

• Ambitious targets for qualifications achievement (e.g. 42% of Convergence participants to achieve qualifications, including 50% of those pursuing basic skills).


Convergence Priority 4: Modernising and improving the quality of our public services

• Convergence only and smallest priority; • New area of activity for ESF and fits well with Welsh public

services improvement agenda - Making the Connections;• 40% of funding in this priority will support collaborative projects

across public services;• 60% of the priority resources will be spent on workforce

planning and development.


East Wales Regional Competitiveness

& Employment 1. Increasing employment and tackling economic

inactivity (€ 29.8m*)

2. Improving skill levels and the adaptability of the workforce (€ 32.5m*)

(*ESF grant value)


Approach to Trans-national Projects

• Horizontal integration across all ESF Programmes

• No financial limits or targets for transnational activity

• Must fit priorities/themes in OPs & Strategic Frameworks


Key Themes for Transnational Activity (ESF)

• Adaptability

• Integration of job-seekers and inactive people

• Integration of disadvantaged groups and combating discrimination

• Enhancing human capital

• Identifying innovative technologies and successful leadership and management practices in a trans-national context.


Issues working transnationally……

• Culture change - transnational activity not an add-on • Extra time and effort to find right partners

• Different cultures and working practices.


What is Wales doing…….?

Trans-national and Territorial Co-operation Strategy:

WEFO’s role:-• identify areas of co-operation – programme and project• raise awareness of stakeholders of new opportunity• partner signposting via networks e.g. EARLALL• guidance on practical aspects of trans-national working• website to post project ideas, links with other regions• seminars to publicise transnational project ideas;

Welsh Project Ideas

• ‘Roots to Success’• Vocational Education and Training Mobility• Recognition of learning for migrant workers

Mainstreaming Transnationality into European Social Fund Programmes in Wales (2007-2013) Neil Thomas...

Documents

Transcript of Mainstreaming Transnationality into European Social Fund Programmes in Wales (2007-2013) Neil Thomas...