SCTP sought clarification regarding funding of the new Level 3 skills offer and offer the below outline as the ESFA response:
- In accordance with Public Contracts Regulations 2015, regulation 72, ESFA will increase the value of its existing Adult Education Budget (AEB) contract for services to deliver the level 3 adult offer from April to July 2021.
- To access funding from August 2021, providers can submit a bid under the ESFA procurement launching in early 2021, which will award AEB contracts for services for the delivery of education and training, including the level 3 adult offer, to learners resident in non-devolved areas. The contracts will start on 1st August 2021 and run for the 2021/22 academic year.
The above information is related to those who currently have a contract for services rather than a grant agreement. We are awaiting confirmation of how it will be funded for those with a grant agreement, it is not confirmed but has been suggested that it will likely be that in the first instance it would be through existing AEB allocations where there is scope within the allocation to allow this. We will up date when further information is received.