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16-18 Funding Summit
There are still places on the one-off 16-18 Funding Summit on the 8th February, at which there is a unique opportunity to hear from the national architects of the changes (as well as discuss with others how you will respond). I have extended the £50 off discount code (LSECT50). Download more info here http://tinyurl.com/16-18-Summit

As with all Lsect events you can cancel a booking at no cost up to a week before, so don't wait for permission from your line manager or learning and development department, else you may miss out!

Delegates will also receive a new version of the Lsect ILR Utility, containing a report calculating the SLN and Provider Factor impact of the 74% rate cut to Entitlement.

ESOL Funding Summit materials
The Lsect ESOL Funding Summit took place on the 12th January 2011 at Morley College. More than 120 delegates heard in detail about the funding rate and eligibility changes due for implementation in 2011/12 and discussed how to respond. They also heard presentations from the AoC, NUS and NIACE. Download the presentations and other materials here: http://tinyurl.com/6z3fzem

There is also a good article about the ESOL funding cuts in the Guardian today by Ian Nash, and it is not only good because I am quote :-) Click on this link to read it http://gu.com/p/2mcky/tf

Lsect 2011 Happiness Survey Results
The online Lsect 2011 Happiness Survey is now closed. In total 441 people responded (56% from colleges). The summary of responses can be seen here http://tinyurl.com/32yzcrw, and the full spreadsheet can be downloaded from http://tinyurl.com/32yzcrw

Providers’ sub-contracted provision
The Skills Funding Agency have published a spreadsheet containing a list of all the providers that sub-contract provision, how many sub-contractors they work with, the financial volume being sub-contracted and the minimum and maximum percentage paid to the sub-contractor. Download the spreadsheet here: http://tinyurl.com/69wol6u

Unfortunately the Skills Funding Agency have password protected the cells, making it more difficult to sort information. However, if the figures are to be believed prime contractors pass on between 10% and 133% (!) to their sub-contractors

The figures are based on information returned by providers in the ‘Declaration of Sub-contractors’ returns, and will be updated as gaps in the information are requested and returned.

Also, don’t forget to take a look at the sub-contracting toolkit, even if you do not sub-contract, as it also contains some handy-guides to funding and performance. Download the toolkit from: http://tinyurl.com/3x8fm2t

Latest on whether 16-18 Apprenticeships in MCL
Guidance Note 6 from the Skills Funding Agency made it clear that a decision had not yet been made as to whether 16-18 Apprenticeship Provision would be included in the new £500k Minimum Contract Level (MCL) for 2011/12. The Skills Funding Agency told me yesterday that they are still in discussion with the Department of Education, and hope to be able to provide the answer by the end of the month.

2011 Spring College Data Conference ~ book now!
Due to popular demand the College Data Conference is back, and bigger than ever. We will hear from, amongst others, the Head's of all three data agencies (IA, DS and LRS) on critical topics like the introduction of XML and the future of the LIS. The event is a day after the next information authority board meeting, so news will be hot off the press. To find out more and book a place visit: http://tinyurl.com/Spring-CDC

Practical masterclass in ILR audit
ILR Funding Audit is too important to fail. A qualified audit opinion is likely to lead to funding claw-back, and as part of new Skills Funding Agency rules could even mean the loss of a contract. I will be delivering a practical half-day event with Karl Bentley from RSM Tenon at Kendal College on the 11th February, which is designed to help college ensure that never happens. In the main we will focus on real DSAT reports, highlight which ones are important, why and what ILR data would need correcting. Find out more and book a place for just £95 + VAT here: http://tinyurl.com/62oorpk

QCF Funding Masterclasses
I am delivering the popular masterclass format in London on the 1st February and Leeds on 3rd February. Lsect masterclasses are unique, as they are useful for people new to funding and those with prior knowledge, and every delegate is provided with a calculator and the session contains lots of worked examples. Delegates leave armed knowing which QCF qualifications are fundable, and how to calculate the funding amounts (and when they are paid) for themselves. These sessions also contain the latest information for 2011/12. Places remain available, and can be booked from: http://tinyurl.com/2uw8yag

YPLA/SFA Funding Update
Today I deliver my second update session for 2011 in Solihull. There are still places available for the session in London on the 25th January. Find out more and book a place here: http://tinyurl.com/2uym3kh

Kind regards,

Nick
www.twitter.com/nicklinford