Education & Skills Funding Agency
The Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) are a partner organisation of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Their job is to fund and regulate adult further education and skills training in England.
The ESFA’s mission is to ensure that people and businesses can access the skills training they need to succeed in playing their part in society and in growing England’s economy. They do this in the context of policy set by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and informed by the needs of businesses, communities and sector and industry bodies.
Qube contracts directly with the ESFA. Asides from meaning funding is more readily available for individuals and employers who qualify, this means we are closely monitored and regulated.
European Social Fund
The European Social Fund (ESF) is designed to improve the skills of the workforce and to help people who have difficulties finding work. ESF provides additional investment to support and enhance Education and Skills Funding Agency activity, to enable disadvantaged people to access and benefit from employment and skills opportunities.
How is European Social Fund spent?
In the current ESF programme running from 2014-2022, the Skills Funding Agency is responsible for ESF learning provision to the 19+ age group. ESF contributes additional and enhanced provision to mainstream programmes such as Train to Gain and Apprenticeships.
The ESF will support young people in jobs without training who are at risk of becoming ‘not in education, employment or training’ (NEET). This provision will enable them to gain skills and knowledge that will improve current and future employment or learning. ESF will also secure learning provision for specific groups of disadvantaged young people, particularly NEET, narrowing the attainment gaps between advantaged and disadvantaged young people.
Who can deliver European Social Fund provision?
The Education and Skills Funding Agency procures ESF funded learning provision using methods such as open and competitive tendering and negotiated funding. The Education and Skills Funding Agency is a co-financing organisation for ESF in England. As a method of funding, co-financing distributes ESF funds directly to project providers such as Qube Learning.
Cross-cutting themes
European Union regulations require all co-financing organisations and projects to actively promote two specific cross-cutting themes during the ESF programme: gender equality and equal opportunities and sustainable development. Requirements will form part of provider contracts with the Education and Skills Funding Agency and specific guidance on these themes is available from the ESF in England website.
Department for Education: Skills Bootcamp in HGV Driving
The Department for Education has allocated a national budget of £17 million to support the training of new HGV drivers via 'Skills Bootcamps'.
Skills Bootcamps offer free, flexible courses for adults aged 19 or over who are either in work or recently unemployed and live in England, giving them the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and fast-track to an interview with a local Employer.
Qube Learning were successful in winning a contract to deliver a Skills Bootcamp in HGV Driving, part of the government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee, helping everyone gain skills for life.