ESFA are launching a pilot to support FE colleges by testing further potential simplifications to funding, audit and reporting. This pilot is part of a wider drive within the DfE to simplify FE provision and increase productivity and follows on from the previous funding and accountability reforms which enable providers to:
- deliver more high-value provision that meets both national and local economic needs
- support learners to progress into good, sustainable jobs
ESFA are looking for a small number of FE colleges to take part in a pilot. As part of the pilot, they will:
- give colleges more flexibility by removing several funding rules and some individual ringfences within ESFA-managed adult skills funding and 16 to 19 funding
- allow pilot colleges to deliver Skills Bootcamps, without the need to bid for funding via procurement. Colleges with an existing Skills Bootcamps contract may be able to access additional Skills Bootcamps funding
- improve how they deliver adult skills funding to improve predictability
- capitalise on the reduced funding rules and ringfences to simplify how they audit and assure FE funding as well as simplify back-end data processing
- develop options with a view to test several simplifications for apprenticeships, which could include simplifying onboarding, testing new funding approaches and streamlining end point assessment processes.
They will work with colleges selected for the pilot to finalise the proposals that they will test from August 2024. For further information on the pilot and how to apply, click here for more.