Christmas 2013 Newsletter
Inside this issue:
Quality
Matters
Developing
Strategies for 2014
Contract
Performance
Curriculum
Development
ASPIRING
LEADERS
UPDATE
Who would have
thought ESTYN would
again appear on our
doorstep in 2013!
North Wales Training
must be the most
inspected provider in
Wales.
Our inspection record began in March 2000, with a re
inspection in June 2002. Estyn again paid us a visit in
November 2006, followed four years later in November
2010. Hopefully the inspection in 2013 will be the last
one until at least 2018 but I know you all think they will
be back next year!
There have been three models for Estyn Inspections
since 1999 and we have been inspected against all three
models, twice against the current common inspection
framework with this present cycle only commencing in
2010! To say that we are well practiced for Estyn
inspections is an understatement!
I thank each and every one of you for the part you played
in making the latest one so successful
The Estyn report for the consortium will be published on
February 2014 until then we must contain ourselves and
keep the provisional judgments confidential.
Before we close for Christmas holidays I am hoping to
conclude our 2013/2014 Self Assessment Report and
Quality Development Plan. The recent inspection has
enabled me to assess our performance for 2012/2013 in
great detail and I have created a virtual Quality
Development Plan (virtual meaning in my head)
The challenge now is to get it all down on paper for you
to take home and study when you have a spare moment
over the Christmas break!
Aspiring Leaders Programme I am pleased to report that Julie Evans
has achieved her Level 7 Diploma in
Leadership and Management.
Lisa Newall, Sarah
Jones and Roger
Pendleton have also achieved their
Level 5 Diplomas in Leadership and
Management and Jane Jones has
completed her Level 5 Award in
Coaching and Mentoring. Mark Davies
Work Programme Coordinator has
achieved is Level 5 Diploma in
Leadership and Management too.
The Senior Management Team are close to completing
Level 7 Award in Coaching and Mentoring with Deb
Mitchell and Martin Craven to complete their Level 7
Diplomas before Christmas.
Well done to one and all!
The second year of the Aspiring Leaders programme
commenced in November 2013 and there are a variety of
projects the group and the Team Leaders will be focusing
on in 2014 to make us more cost effective in our
programme delivery and in use of Information Learning
Technology.
Managers, Team Leaders and staff are tasked with
undertaking an ICT initial assessment by January and
all of us will be trained to a minimum of Level 2
Essential Skills Wales by the target date of September
2014.
This will help where appropriate to raise the IT skill
across the company and in part ensure the projects the
Aspiring Leaders and Team Leaders are undertaking
succeed.
Project updates will be recorded in the Team Leader
Meeting Minutes and can be accessed on SharePoint.
Quality Matters
“I am looking forward to an Estyn free 2014
and thank you all for the work you have done
this year and for the high standard of work
you will continue to do throughout 2014”
Sue S
Developing Strategies for 2014 and
the next 4 years
National Aim: ‘The Education and Skills portfolio aims to raise the standards of education and
training provision, so that everyone can reach their potential; deliver a skilled workforce with high quality
opportunities; provide support to individuals, families and communities to improve wellbeing and to see the
Welsh language thrive in Wales’
Introduction
Delivering national and local priorities in the face of reducing budgets requires a whole new approach in cross company working to secure the successful delivery of all our outcomes. Below is an overview of the
allocation of funding for education and skills throughout Wales. All references contained within this article are the drivers of our organisation’s business strategies.
Cross Cutting Key Themes.
Growth and Jobs – supporting growth and creating jobs to support the economy and to tackle poverty
Educational Attainment – deliver world class education
Supporting Children, Families and Deprived
Communities – support routes out of poverty and
give access to learning
The Cash – How Much?
Q. – How much money is allocated by Welsh Government
for Education and Skills?
A. - £1,773,000.00 (Draft Budget October 2013)
The strategic priorities informing allocations of
the national budget are:
Training Standards £1,167,519 m - Read: Best in Class
Skilled Workforce £69,043 m - Read: Skilful and talented
Improving wellbeing £354,837 m -Read: Health, wealth and
happiness
Welsh Language £ 24,376 m - Read: Siarad Cymraeg?
Delivery Support £ 3,149 m - Read: Technology,
coaching mentoring
(Including £10.4m for 14-19 provision)
Of interest to us? – Yes –
the provision to be procured
must reflect the ability of the organisation to deliver the 5
priorities listed. The criteria will include not only can you
deliver but how do you deliver and in what time – this is
known as value for money.
What are the programme areas of investment?
Jobs Growth Wales £12.5 m (strong track record 76%
nationally sustaining employment or progressing into an
apprenticeship). Programme extended to 2015-16. Read: We
are good at this how can we be even better?
Delivery of high quality apprenticeships. The budget
for work based learning programmes set at £119.3m 2014-2015
and £121.3m for 2015-16. All programmes to be reviewed to
ensure that provision will have the most impact on growth
and jobs. Read: We need to be progressive, efficient, modern, fresh and
sharp. Tender commencing FEB 2014
Welsh Language. An investment of £19.8m in 2014-15 and
£24m in 2015-16 in training programmes with the aim of
improving Welsh skills for employment. Read: The more Welsh
language provision we offer the more money we can earn.
Engagement and Progression Framework -allocation
unclear, save we know that £10.4m will be through Networks
– could be a change of focus for Network funding but only
that which is not ring-fenced. Main programmes for
delivering this important framework, are Apprenticeships,
Jobs Growth Wales and Traineeships. Read: Play nicely,
communicate, collaborate and work together for the benefit of the learner.
An Investment of £19.8m in 2014-15 and £24m in 2015 -16 for
supporting progression and adaptability within the
workforce. You will only access this cash if we have a
modern leading edge, imaginative and topical course portfolio
to offer.
Other key drivers that will directly or
indirectly influence our planning and
delivery.
Welsh Baccalaureate – to be at the ‘heart of
qualifications for 14.-19 years old – to include
development of 21st century employability skills
and attributes’. Keep abreast of developments in
this field and develop provision for 14-19 to take full
account of the provision within schools.
Literacy and Numeracy to be central to the new
qualifications system. We will have a literate and
numerate country.
Using Digital Technology. Having the right skills
available is crucial, if businesses are to pursue
ambitious strategies.
What conditions come with the cash?
The Transformation policy: This policy requires all
Learning Providers to support the policy by
planning and implementing change to secure
significant improvements to learning delivery to
result in significant benefits for learners with a firm
focus on improved skill levels for all young people
and adults,
Q. What are we doing?
A. We have been working on a change culture for
over 2 years, driving out inefficiencies, increasing
productivity, investing in technology and staff
development. Our policy will continue to gather
momentum and by adopting new ways of working
we aim to stimulate more effective employee
involvement and commitment in order to achieve
high levels of performance.
The next six months should see considerable
changes within our working practices; we have
introduced new projects with clear goals.
Contract Performance
The budget performance table for year ending July 2013 shows
under and over performance against budget in our main income
lines.
Overall total actual income was 99.45% of budget.
Budget 2012/2013
Actual 2012/2013
Apprenticeships £1,441,796 £1,420,715
Steps to Employment £511,250 £380,271
Essential Skills in the Workplace
£99,270 £84,510
14-19 £97,750 £92,456
Potensial £94,862 £166,156
Jobs Growth Wales £35,099 £45,194
Commercial £59,910 £91,090
Work Programme £145,890 £190,395
Performance in Work Programme and Potensial saw both areas
exceed budget.
We had an excellent year for commercial income greatly supported
by New Work Connections courses delivered by the Youth
Engagement Team in Construction, in addition to bespoke Retail and
Hospitality courses delivered by the Administration and Hospitality
Teams.
Well done to all concerned!
Disappointingly, the Apprenticeship contract underperformed which
was entirely due to starts not being recruited in line with the profile.
Although we exceeded the apprentice start target it was too late to
make a significant impact on the finance.
Consortium Contract Performance 12/13
Apprentice Steps
NWT 99% 74%
Gwrp LLan Menai 100% 53%
ADT 102% N/A
Overall 102% 64%
2013-14
This contract year has seen an overall contract decrease due to the
Welsh Government ceasing to funded Apprenticeships for over 25
year olds in the non priority areas and the introduction of the new
Work Ready Programme for unemployed Adults.
We face a challenging year with the Work Based Learning contract
as we work towards creating the training Job Centre Plus want under
the Work Ready Programme whilst continuing to proactively develop
and deliver Higher Apprenticeships at Level 4 and 5.
Additionally , the Welsh Government expects 60% of our
Apprenticeship starts to be under the age of 25 so I would ask you all
to be mindful of the contractual priorities we are working towards.
Priorities for next six months Welsh Government Contract Priorities
Target 45% of starts to be aged 18-24
Increase numbers of Modern and Higher Apprentice starts
To maximize the number of jobs created under the Jobs Growth Wales Programme.
Essential Skills in the Workplace Contract Priorities
Ensure that the contract target of starts is met across all teams.
All Teams must identify potential Essential Skills in the Workplace learners
Work Programme Contract Priorities
Increase the number of jobs for those with health issues.
North Wales Training is an approved Provider to offer the Jobs
Growth initiative to employers. In the last contract year Jobs
Growth Wales introduced us to over 54 new employers in the
area who we have never worked with before.
Many of these employers have recruited Apprentices with us
or attended commercial courses.
JobFit Provider League Table
Success measured on Job Outcome Rate
Provider Job Entry Rate
Job Outcome Rate
NWT 63.3% 62.2%
Interserve 78.4% 45.9%
Futureworks 48.5% 44.5%
A4E North 52.2% 38.7%
A4E South 67.1% 38.4%
Antur Teifi 58.8% 37.7%
Ceredigion Training 40.4% 35.6%
Our current Work Based Learning contract which was from August
2011 to July 2014 has been extended to March 2015.
We have started the tender process for the Work Based Learning
contracts which will commence in April 2015. The timeline is as
follows:
The consortium has submitted a Pre Qualification
Questionnaire. (PQQ)
Evaluation of PQQs will take place Nov -Dec 2013
Providers will receive feedback January 2014
In February 2014 the Welsh Government will Publish Invitation
to Tender (ITT) –for providers successful in the PQQ process
Tender submission March 2014
Successful tenderers notified in September 2014
Curriculum Development
We currently have a total of 566 apprentices in learning:
We work with
Sector Skills Councils 9 Awarding Organisations 8
We are delivering
Frameworks 56 Qualifications 81
And include:
ESDGC Wellbeing Literacy
Numeracy Safeguarding
Bi-lingualism ERR ESW Wider Key Skills
We have 186 14-19 learners, (including commercially funded),
and are also delivering programmes under ESiW, Work
Ready, Job Growth Wales and the Work Programme, along
with a range of bespoke short courses and our commercial
portfolio
Moving Forward
Key focus points moving forward, include, increasing
numbers of Higher Apprenticeships across routes, and
identifying emerging sectors.
Positively embracing the use of ILT within all our delivery and
compliance activities, and the sharing of best practice and
resources both internally and externally.
Where are we going?
In 2014 and moving forwards we are continuing to face a
range of curriculum- related challenges with the only constant
being more change………
The wheel below identifies some of the main areas we need to
focus on, to ensure we stay ahead of the game
Some of the changes/challenges will be imposed of us, as a
result of external reviews and changes to policies, but many
others, such as the continuing changes within QCF and the
introduction of the new ESW (Autumn 2014) will need an
effective approach that can be developed and implemented
from within.
Working cross company and using the strength and skills
within the company as a whole, will enable us to effect
efficient, innovative and cost effective solutions for our
learners and stakeholders.
The introduction of an ‘Innovation Group’, with members
drawn from across the company, will provide a platform for
development, design and delivery of sustainable and
transferrable solutions, that will support a more efficient and
focussed curriculum across all our delivery sectors.
This can only be done if everyone engages with the processes
and embraces the changes in a positive way, in order to
benefit all.
I would like to thank you all for your
contributions this year, and wish you all a very
Merry Christmas and look forward to a positive
and productive New Year.
Allison Jones
Motor Vehicle, 85
Manufacturing, 34
Engineering, 26
Care/Childcare, 256
Admin 195
Hospiltality, 46
STEM
QCF
LAP
Apprenticeships
Higher
Apprenticeships
ESW
Key Skills SSC’s
14-19
Qualifications
Review
Apprenticeship
Review
SASW
Digital
Literacy
WBQ
Wheel
Of
Change
Message from the
Chief Executive
You can see from the
Newsletter that the
Company has faced
some real highs and
lows during the year.
We have performed
extremely well in
some areas whereas
in others we have
struggled, partly due
to the constraints of the Welsh Government
contract.
We recently celebrated the outcome of the
Consortium Estyn Inspection which reaffirmed our
2010 inspection of solid “good” grades and provided
further confirmation that we are an organisation
who continues to offer training to a high standard.
However we cannot rest on our laurels as Welsh
Government and Estyn are committed to increasing
levels of achievement and standards of delivery year
on year.
On a more sombre note we have also suffered
reductions to our overall WBL contract income for
2013/2014 with the withdrawal of funding for non
priority apprenticeships over the age of 25 and also
the demise of the Steps to Employment contract
which has been replaced in the short term by a
reduced provision through the Work Ready
Programme. These two events have sadly led to
some severe economies having to be made which
have resulted in the loss of some very valued
members of staff and colleagues.
Having been in business for over 30 years now,
North Wales Training is not unused to the roller
coaster ride which is the Welsh Government. Our
ability to survive over all these years can be
attributed to our resourcefulness and flexibility in
being able to respond quickly to the ever changing
requirements of the Welsh Government.
In addition, in the past year, our income from non-
WBL sources has increased from 26% to 29% and is
forecast to continue this upward trend in the
coming year, due in the main to our success in the
14-19 Sector and the consistently strong
performance of the Work Programme where we
remain top of the leader board for Wales.
For 2013/2014 we face a challenging year as you can
see, however we know what we must do, and if we
all pull together we can achieve the quality
standards demanded of us and also achieve the
income requirements necessary to support our
continued viability. We must work smarter, not
harder, and we must embrace all the advantages
that technology can bring to the company.
2014 will see us entering into a new tendering
round with our Consortium partners for the next
WBL Contact which will commence in April 2015
and which we are hopeful will bring the
opportunity for further growth and expansion.
As we head towards the end of 2013 and the
Christmas break I would like to wish you all a very
Merry Christmas and look forward to us all
returning in the New Year charged with
enthusiasm to face the challenges of maintaining
and improving the quality of all that we do.
Together, working as one team, I know we can be
the best!
Happy Christmas.
Sue Denton
Printed by the dashing men of the reprographics department Have a great holiday!
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