Multiply Programme in Hampshire 

The Government recently launched the new UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to replace EU funds and as part of its Levelling Up policy. The UKSPF overarching objectives are to build pride in place and increase life chances, with a £2.6 billion budget over the next three years to fund programmes across three core investment priorities – Community and Place; Supporting Local Business; People and Skills. Alongside these priorities, a new Multiply programme is to be offered to support adults to improve their numeracy skills.

In Hampshire, UKSPF core allocations are being awarded to district and unitary councils, with Hampshire districts set to receive a total £11 million directly across the next three years. Multiply funds are additional and being allocated at county and unitary level. Hampshire County Council has an allocation of up to £5.7 million over the next three years. All funding is dependent on investment plans being submitted and approved in the Summer, with programmes to commence from September 2022.

The aim of the Multiply programme is to help transform the lives of adults across Hampshire with bespoke adult numeracy programmes to improve their numeracy skills, helping people unlock new job and training opportunities, support in work progression, get higher wages, and improve wellbeing. Boosting numeracy abilities can also help with everyday tasks like bills and budgeting or helping children with homework. It will offer adults (employed and under/unemployed) who need to improve their numeracy and do not already have a GCSE grade C/4 or higher in Maths or equivalent, free flexible courses that fit around their lives including face- to-face and virtual delivery.

We will be creating an ambitious Hampshire programme that is high quality and far reaching, building on what already works well and using our strong existing partnerships to develop and deliver new opportunities for our residents, including programmes to be delivered in partnership with employers. This will require a collaborative approach in design, delivery, and support, and we want to work closely with all partners to ensure investment plans for Multiply and the local UKSPF are complementary and add value.

The Department for Education has provided a list of proposed interventions in the Multiply Investment Prospectus Multiply: funding available to improve adult numeracy skills - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Updated guidance for FE providers during COVID-19 Pandemic 

The Department for Education has update guidance for FE providers for the pandemic. This includes all students and staff wearing masks indoors, anyone with suspected Omicron variant will be asked to isolate for 10 days and considerations into whether upcoming international trips should take place. For more information, please click here. 

From the ESFA: Chancellor backs skills in the Budget and Spending Review

Please follow this link for the information from the ESFA on Rishi Sunak's budget speech from the 27th October. 

WorldSkills UK Spotlight Talks 

ESFA have asked we make you aware of some forthcoming spotlight events that are planned to take place in mid-October. Our Spotlight event is taking place on the 13^th and 14^th October all about engaging young people in schools and colleges into digital careers. Please click here for more information.   

DWP Announce new Flexible Support Fund (FSF) Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) 2

The current FSF DPS system will expire on 31st October 2021. It will be replaced by FSF DPS2 which will go-live on 1st November 2021. Key changes for DPS2 includes the introduction of a Request for Quote (RFQ) approach and an updated Employability Journey and Payment Model. All suppliers interested in DPS2 will be required to accredit from September 2021, including those suppliers who are already accredited to the existing DPS. For more information, click here.

AELP London and East Regional meeting 26.07.21

Here are the notes and actions from the AELP London and East Regional Network Meeting and the summary of AELP's positioning on T Levels. 

Vaccine Passport Being Considered for Colleges

It has been reported that the Prime Minister has suggested that 2 doses if the vaccine should be compulsory for students in further and higher education. For more information, read the FE Week article here. 

National Apprenticeship Week 2022 Dates Announced 

The dates from the 2022 National Apprenticeship Week have now officially been announced, it will take place between 7th-13th February 2022. Click here for more information. 

From FE Week: New rule stopping learning providers from assessing apprentices for learning difficulties. 

FE Week have published an article on the new rule that prevents learning providers from assessing their apprentices for funding for any learning difficulties they may have. Click here to read the full article. 

Apprentices' mental health in the workplace - how bad is the crisis we are facing? 

Click here to read the article published by Amazing Apprenticeships on Apprentices' mental health in the workplace and how many apprentices are being affected by mental health problems. 

ESFA Provider Network Strategy Launch

Please see the attachement for more information on the ESFA's new Provider Network Strategy. 

Your Future, Your Choice

The Hampshire Careers Partnership have released a Your Future, Your Choice brochure with information on post 16 options such as apprenticeships and traineeships. It also has hints and tips for writing a CV, practice application forms and job interview advice. To access the booklet, click here.