To receive these updates via email join at www.lsect.co.uk/join.asp
Please pass this information on to colleagues that may find it useful. Thanks.

Free 16-18 funding reports in Lsect ILR Utility v2
Version two of the free Lsect ILR Utility is now available to download and use. This includes a considerable upgrade to the ILR import function, which now requires a 2009/10 F01 and F05, a 2010/11 LR01 and the manual entry of 16-18 figures from a 2010/11 LR allocation. This enable the second report to forecast the impact of the lagged learner number method (incorporating the 16-18 Entitlement cuts on the SLN and the resulting increased provider factor values) to predict a 2011/12 16-18 allocation. The third report provides a more detailed look at the impact on the Provider Factor following the cut to the Entitlement funding (from 114 to 30 SLN per learner).

Visit http://www.lsect.co.uk/ilrutility.asp to download version 2

Mark Emerson from Chelmsford College has worked closely with staff at the YPLA to ensure the two new Lsect utility reports are technically correct (although as a free tool we cannot offer support nor a guarantee it is accurate ~ so use at your own risk). However, more information and a detailed guidance note will be provided to delegates of the 16-18 Funding Summit. The full agenda is now online, and there are still places available. If you deliver provision to a lot of full time 16-18 year-olds then this is a Summit you won’t want to miss. Find out more here: http://tinyurl.com/16-18-Programme

YPLA and SFA expenses, and what they tell you
For the last few months both the YPLA and SFA have been publishing their expenses, but using a quite different approach. They both offer some interesting insights.

The YPLA publish a spreadsheet each month, the most recent of which was for December 2010 and runs to some 13,470 payments. My favourite is transaction number 16495, which was for the 80p paid to a South Western Region YPLA employee for ‘Bicycle mileage’. http://tinyurl.com/6kfeudu

The SFA on the other hand take a less complete but possibly more useful approach (not that I’d ever want to encourage competition between the agencies!). Their monthly expenses are summarised on a one page PDF (see December here: http://tinyurl.com/64fnae8) and include both a staff count and the number of first class rail tickets for the month. By looking at the expenses summary for the last few months it can be seen that not only has the SFA staff numbers fallen nearly 15% in just four months (from 1,906 in September 2010 to 1,643 in December 2010) but that first class rail travel (once averaging more than 100 tickets per month) is now almost non-existent. Geoff Russell, the CEO at the SFA, tells me these reductions form part of the 11% cut to their operating budget in this financial year (and like all BIS partner organisations they need to find a total of 33% savings by 2014). Future savings will be achieved by reducing staff numbers further, contracting with fewer providers as part of the Minimum Contract Level (MCL) policy and by taking far less of a planning role within the learning and skills sector.

The Education Bill and the end of the YPLA
Last Wednesday the Education Bill was introduced into the House of Commons. As the DfE puts it: “The Bill is an important step in implementing the Government’s education reform programme and helping to create an education system that delivers ever higher standards for all children.” You can read the full Bill here: http://tinyurl.com/6jbofx5

This includes reference to the abolition of the YPLA (as signalled in the White Paper), which will be replaced by an Education Funding Agency from 1st April 2011. On a recent visit to Cheylesmore House in Coventry (former HQ of the LSC and now HQ for the YPLA and SFA) I could not help but notice rather large YPLA letters looking down on me, and wondering to myself whether they might recycle the ‘A’: http://twitpic.com/3rotlg

Having said that, I also got the impression staff are not keen to give up on the LSC brand either, as it was on staff passes, the Wi-Fi name and even on the cleaning rota adorning the toilet wall!

Principal’s pet become competitive
It all started with a bit of fun in Lsect update 25-01-11, with reference to a local news story which included a quote from Geoff Hall that mentioned his dogs. Geoff sent me a picture of his two dogs, so it seemed obvious to encourage other Principals to send a picture of their beloved pets. See the latest offerings from Geoff Russell (SFA) and Linda Houtby (Grantham College) here: http://www.lsect.co.uk/principals-pets.asp

Please encourage your Principal or CEO to email nick.linford@lsect.com their pet pictures and names. In March 2011 I'll hold an online survey, and the Principal (or CEO) with the most votes as having the cutest pet will win £200 in vouchers of their choosing for their organisation (preferably to be spent on learner materials).

The Spring College Data Conference ~ few places left
With more than 130 colleges already booked, there are a limited number of places available for the Spring College Data Conference in London on the 3rd March 2011. Find out more: http://tinyurl.com/CDC-03-03-11

Apprenticeship Funding Summit ~ book now
Are you looking for all the definitive answers as to how Apprenticeships will be funded in 2011/12 (including SASE, MCL and TtG policy)? Receive a £50 early bird discount by booking before Friday 4th February (reducing the cost to £145 + VAT per delegate and with no limit per organisation). Find out more and book you place here: http://tinyurl.com/6cbn6mw

Apprenticeship software ~ sponsored topic
To register your interest in email contact and a possible product demonstration visit: http://tinyurl.com/45htddv

Media and PR training from high-profile journalists
Places are still available at this one-off College Media and PR Conference on the 8th March 2011 in London: http://tinyurl.com/5wtv86h. This is your opportunity to learn how to successfully pitch a story and generate positive headlines, from high profile education journalists. Media and PR staff from other providers as well as education related organisations (such as SSCs or awarding bodies) are also welcome. Please pass on the link to your Marketing and PR Manager.