April 2021

The ESFA has written to networks like GMLPF to ask for support in delivering Traineeships.  In July 2020, the Chancellor announced a significant expansion of Traineeships as part of his Plan for Jobs.  The Government have increased and extended this drive until 31 July 2022, providing an additional £126m for the 2021/2022 academic year. This […]

The Liverpool PREVENT Referral Pathway for individuals who are believed to be vulnerable to or at risk of radicalisation has changed. PREVENT is a safeguarding function. As such, the local authority has a duty and obligation to prevent and stop any abuse or neglect and ensure that all vulnerable adults or children are appropriately safeguarded.

GMLPF has been discussing the increased numbers of unfunded learners with the ESFA, other northern networks, and AELP. Anecdotally, it seems members who deliver apprenticeships have seen a significant increase in unfunded learners (and more learners on breaks in learning). This is due to learners being unable to complete functional skills, occupationally relevant exams or

GMLPF attended a sub-group of the Employment and Skills Board last week that looked specifically at Apprenticeships in the LCR. The purpose of the meeting was to allow the CA to understand what was working well, what was working less well and what could be done better. Whilst the above points were useful for group

GMLPF represents members on the local Employment & Skills Board. The ESB is required by Government to publish a Local Skills Plan for 2021/22 which sets out the current needs and opportunities in the City Region together with a Skills Action Plan to address these issues. In recent years, the LCR CA has produced a

We know that the Covid-19 outbreak has had a seismic effect on the economy. Some apprentices have been made redundant without completing their apprenticeships, while others are at risk of redundancy. To support these apprentices, the Department for Education has recently launched the Redundancy Support Service for Apprentices. The service provides clear, accessible advice and

Over this Parliament and from 2021-2024, the government is planning on investing £2.5 billion in the National Skills Fund. The National Skills Fund will help adults to train and gain the valuable skills they need to improve their job prospects. The NSF aims to support economic recovery and address future skills needs by boosting the

Earlier this month I came across the New Year’s Day  cover of the Times from this year which stated that “Britain was entering 2020 with a newfound sense of optimism.” How wrong that headline would ultimately prove to be, as, in a matter of weeks, a pandemic was to spread across the globe bringing 2