Avant Partnership - News

Avant Partnership has successfully accessed funding from LSIS Regional Response Fund

Victoria — Thu, 26 May 2011 09:49:10 +0100

Aims:

The region needs to increase its economic and social prosperity and skills are seen as a major solution. The employer need is still there and new markets are emerging for providers able to adapt, in both what and how they deliver. Significant numbers of adults in our region still lack the skills they need to find and keep work and to progress within work. The learner need is at least as great as ever.

The new single adult skills budget, with its increased freedoms and flexibilities offers a real opportunity for WBL providers willing to adapt and adopt new ways of working. In this new landscape providers must also continue to improve the quality of what they deliver.

WBL providers in the region have a long history of engaging successfully with employers for the delivery of government funded work based learning, which in recent times primarily included Apprenticeships and Train to Gain. The new Adult Skills Budget brings greater freedoms and flexibilities, but there is also a challenge with the changes to learner entitlement and required collection of employer contributions. Many WBL providers need to develop new ways of working with employers to further increase Apprenticeships, whilst implementing the new Adult Skills Budget and developing effective arrangements for the collection of employer contributions. Those providers that have delivered Train to Gain will also have to manage down the expectations of employers that have received free training, whilst working with the new Adult Skills Budget to develop an attractive employer offer.

This project has the following two key aims:

To increase the collection of employer contributions by WBL providers;
To develop WBL provider implementation of the freedoms and flexibilities of the Adult Skills Budget;

The main focus will be the further development of WBL providers to meet the challenges of the new Adult Skills funding arrangements, increasing Adult Apprenticeships and increasing employer contributions through new and effective arrangements, agreements and protocols, providing an attractive employer offer.

The project will achieve the following outcomes with WBL providers in the region:

Improvement in the understanding of the Adult Skills Budget and its freedoms and flexibilities;
Development of agreements and protocols for the collection of employer contributions;

Additionally the project will deliver the following Outputs:

Set-up a steering group to oversee the project and support communication, provider engagement and dissemination;
Set-up five Sector Subject Groups (Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering; Business & Administration; Hair & Beauty; Health & Social Care; Retail & Commercial Enterprise);
Delivery of 15 Sector Subject specific workshops (three per sector);
Delivery of one regional launch event;
Delivery of one regional dissemination event;
Production of end of project report and materials, including evaluation and successes;

Impacts and benefits:

The key benefit of this project is the consistent approach to the collection of employer contributions by WBL providers, within sector subject groups or industries across the region. These sectors have been selected due to their driving demand for skills and being of economic significance in the region, as identified by the Skills Funding Agency.

The project will enable an improvement in the way WBL providers work with employers, as a result of the activities developed and delivered through this project. Providers will measure the impact of their interventions with employers and employers can identify the impact of the provider interventions. This results in improved employer satisfaction and increased employer contributions.

The agreements, protocols and arrangements for employer engagement developed through this project and utilised by the participating WBL providers, will be cascaded across all WBL providers in the region through the WBL network organisations. This information and the successes achieved can be shared nationally and across sectors.

If you want to be involved or sign up for any of the working groups please contact jane@avantpartnership.co.uk

Young Apprenticeship - No new starts!

Charlotte — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 11:26:55 +0100

The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed that the Secretary of State has decided to close the Young Apprenticeship (YA) programme to new entrants. This does not effect current Young Apprentices currently working towards their Young Apprenticeship in Cohorts 6 and 7.

The decision has been made in the context of the DfE spending review settlement. The high cost of the programme could not be maintained in the current economic climate. It was also felt that that the programme would need to be significantly re-designed to fit with the English Baccalaureate and the recommendations of Professor Alison Wolf’s Review of Vocational Education.

The Wolf Review has proposed a framework to deliver high quality, age appropriate, 14-19 vocational education locally, in a flexible and affordable way. DfE are yet to respond to Professor Wolf’s recommendations for 14-19 vocational education however they will support vocational education which ensures progression to Apprenticeships or Further and Higher Education. Therefore we would still like to continue to explore with Schools still wishing to adopt vocational programmes the delivery of appropriate vocational provision for Young People to support this.

The close of the Young Apprenticeship programme is disappointing news and we would like to thank all those involved in our partnership for their hard work in supporting the programme so far, which we have seen to be incredible successful. We will publish a full review of the programme to celebrate its success in due course.

Development of a partnership approach to meet the Minimum Contract Levels (MCL)

Charlotte — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 11:33:41 +0100

There are a range of options and challenges facing providers, most notably the introduction of Minimum Contract Levels (MCL) by the Skills Funding Agency. Avant Partnership has developed a model that is attractive to any organisation wanting to continue delivery, whilst retaining their individuality.

Our model is somewhat unique, so much so that the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) have shown interest in our approach and have asked to produce a case study to support other organisations.

Avant Partnership was created to be the lead partner in a delivery partnership for Work Based Learning (WBL), including Train to Gain and Young Apprenticeship, as a wholly owned subsidiary of the WBL network organisation in the Humber sub-region Consortium for Learning (CfL).

Avant Partnership has established and effective data, finance and quality systems and processes in place, evidenced in our successful audit and Ofsted Inspection, which awarded grade 2 at our first inspection in September 2009. Our Financial Health was assessed as Outstanding and Financial Management and Controls assessed as Good against the Framework for Excellence.

The effective arrangements for management and our productive and responsive partnership arrangements are evidenced in the following quotes by Ofsted:

Avant has developed a good range of policies and procedures to support its partners. It has established clear protocols and guidelines for partners through detailed contract arrangements and service level agreements. Data collection and management is good. Management information is accurate and thorough."

“Avant has a good range of productive network links in the local community and regional area. Avant uses these networks effectively to initiate new ideas and share good practice across the partners.”

Large national providers and colleges have presented their models for sub-contracting and managing agent and we firmly believe our model is superior, offering providers much more autonomy and independence, together with involvement in the strategic direction of the organisation, which are key to the engagement of smaller independent WBL providers.

With the pending introduction of Minimum Contract Levels (MCL) by the Skills Funding Agency, Avant Partnership have reviewed its position with our delivery partners, developing a model in response to the MCL requirements that meets the needs of partners.

Following is a brief overview of the key features and benefits of our model:

The organisation is known to its partners, was introduced by them and our partners continue to be involved in the continual success of the organisation;

We have a proven track record, managing consortium contracts for Train to Gain and Young Apprenticeship for over five years;

Experience of funding body audits and Ofsted inspection;

The proposed model through Avant Partnership will ensure the organisation is owned by its delivery partners;

Avant Partnership does not compete with its delivery partners

Delivery partners continue to operate as currently, using their existing company name and brand awareness to retain independence;

Delivery partners continue to utilise their existing systems, processes and documentation (where these meet required standards) to ensure retained autonomy;

Delivery partners will be protected within the partnership and maintain or grow their existing contract values, subject to external budgetary constraints and the continued performance of delivery partners, including:

     Delivery of volume to profile;
     Delivery of timely outcomes;
     Maintain quality and standards, including success rates and audit findings;

Our main ambition is the success of our organisation and members, to exist, be successful and develop. We are seeking to develop a strong consortium of sufficient size to meet the current and future requirements of the Skills Funding Agency or future funding bodies.

Our proposed model will offer the additional protection to the delivery partners as the contract holder, Avant, has no intention of delivering in competition with its members.

With the introduction of a single line budget and increased flexibilities we are encouraging additional providers to join our partnership. If you have a proven track record and would be interested in our model, please get in touch.

Following interest from a number of providers we have developed a list of FAQ:

Young Apprenticeship Cohort 5 is a success!

Michelle — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 17:01:18 +0000

55 pupils across Hull, North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire started the programme in September 2008. The 34 Young Apprentices participating in the Business Administration Young Apprenticeship programme worked towards their NVQ Level 2 in Administration over the 2 year programme whilst attending 50 days work experience with local employers. The Young Apprentices were also involved in a Citizenship programme supporting the local community.

The 19 Young Apprentices participating in the Hairdressing Young Apprenticeship programme worked towards their Diploma Level 2 in Hairdressing whilst attending 50 days work experience in local salons to support their programme. The Young Apprentices across both programmes also completed a CIEH in Health and Safety in the workplace.

Of the 55 Young Apprentices 51 retained on the programme for the full 2 years resulting in a 93% completion rate. 100% of those learners completing the programme achieved the qualification element of the programme. 96% achieved all elements including the 50 days work experience. The Young Apprentices enjoyed the course with a great outcome supporting their progression into an Apprenticeship or further education.

What the Young Apprentices said:

' I would recommend the young apprenticeship to other pupils because it gives you a head start on deciding what you want to do and you already know how to do everything when you finish school'

' It is an education as well as a fun course to do'

' I would recommend the young apprenticeship to other pupils as the teachers are so friendly and it is a great help with your future'

Teachers Guide to Apprenticeships

Charlotte — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:34:28 +0000

Breaking News

The introduction of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning (ASCL) Act 2009 places a requirement on schools to provide all pupils with information, advice and guidance about Apprenticeships. The recently introduced ‘Quality, Choice and Aspiration’ strategy also guarantees that young people in schools are entitled to impartial information, advice and guidance about Apprenticeships.

To enable schools to meet these requirements we developed the Teachers Guide to Apprenticeships (pictured right). This guide is an effective reference and teaching resource, providing access to comprehensive information on all Apprenticeships available across England.

The Teachers Guide to Apprenticeships was originally developed at the request of teachers and local authorities in our region, with over 500 copies distributed to schools already. It is an extremely easy to use resource pack for all teachers, stakeholders and information, advice and guidance professionals. The Guide provides details of the application processes, entry requirements, qualification structures and levels and progression routes for all Apprenticeship Frameworks in all sectors. Copies of the contents are included on a CD that comes with the Guide so that individual students can have copies of the information on their preferred Apprenticeships.

This is an essential resource in ensuring the effective delivery of comprehensive information, advice and guidance. It will enable schools to meet the requirements of both the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 and the ‘Quality, Choice and Aspiration’ strategy for young people’s information, advice and guidance. It will save you having to resort to a great deal of resource, research and preparation time to meet those statutory needs.

Second Readingof the ASCL Bill

“The Bill represents the first overhaul of apprenticeship

legislation for nearly 200 years. It will put apprenticeships

on a statutory basis, and establish the entitlement to an

apprenticeship place for every suitably qualified young

person who wants one. In too many schools over past

years and decades, apprenticeships have been undervalued,

which is why the Bill places a clear duty on schools in that

regard – and they will have to honour it; we will ensure that

they do not get around it.”

Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families

Avant have Moved!

Charlotte — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:42:00 +0100

Avant have Moved!

Avant partnership has moved to new premises. We are now located at;

DBH
Melton Court
Gibson Lane
Melton
East Yorkshire
HU14 3HH

Tel: 01482 638577
Fax: 01482 638574

Please could you ensure that your records are updated with our new contact details.

VQ Day 2009

Victoria — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:04:58 +0000

VQ stands for Vocational Qualification. A VQ means a recognised qualification at any level relating to a particular line of work or specific job role. These qualifications have an emphasis on the assessment of practical skills and knowledge.

Examples includes BTECs, City & Guilds, NVQ/SVQ, OCR Nationals, Apprenticeships, HNC/HNDs, degrees with a largely vocational content and professional qualifications awarded through a recognised professional body. They cover subjects that range from agriculture to accountancy, business to beauty therapy, care work to construction and many more.

As part of VQ Day three VQ Hero awards will be awarded. The categories are:

VQ Young Learner of the Year (under 25 years)

One each awarded for England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland

VQ Learner of the Year (over 25 years)

One each awarded for England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland Celebrity VQ Hero of the year

The awards are designed to celebrate vocational success and showcase the best in vocational qualifications. Through their award, the VQ Hero awards aim to demonstrate the talent, commitment and rigorous standards required to gain a vocational qualification. The VQ Hero learner awards will be awarded to one learner in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

HAP facilitator Dave Thompson received the runner-up award last year at the first UK wide VQ Heros Awards.

Dave, the only Apprentice to make it to the final, is pictured alongside the awards host Alesha Dixon and Edge Chairman Garry Hawkes. The awards took place at London's Royal Opera House as part of the VQ Day celebrations.

Avant Partnership has secured funding to support the development of your workforce

Victoria — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:55:00 +0000

Provider Train is a new skills initiative that will develop additional training provider resources across the Yorkshire and the Humber region, funded by the LSC and European Social Fund.

The project is designed to build upon the existing staff qualified infrastructure by increasing the capacity of the Work based learning, Voluntary Community sectors and Employer as deliverers of accredited and non accredited training programmes. Building and improving the capacity and capability of training within small organisations with less than 50 staff by increasing the number of assessors, verifiers and other delivery opportunities, which will enable the delivery of occupationally relevant qualifications and provide responsive and flexible work based learning.

The opportunity through Avant Partnership will contribute to building staff capacity to support your current and new staff to meet the requirements of the new teaching reforms. The programme has been specifically tailored to meet the needs of staff within Work Based Learning Providers and Voluntary and Community organisations, and includes the following:

· Assessor & Verifier Awards

· Learning & Development Awards

· Level 3 Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS)

The three qualifications will be delivered to all delegates as part of a single programme. There will be 2 cohorts of 15 learners in each cohort with the first expected to start at the beginning of February 2009 and the second to start June 2009.

Delegates will each attend a 4 hour workshop every week for 16 weeks receiving structured training and development, building portfolios, writing assignments and delivering presentations. Avant Partnership will provide an innovative and creative learning programme that is tailored to the needs of the sector, which will build upon and address any current capacity and delivery problems.

Eligibility

Candidates Eligibility:

Must be employed

Employing organisations Eligibility:

· Workforce of less than 50 staff

· Have a balance sheet of no more than £29.24m or an annual turnover of more than £34m

· Not be a Public Limited Company or Public Sector organisation (including colleges and local authorities)

To make the most of this exciting opportunity please contact Charlotte@avantpartnership.co.uk for an application form.

Each learner will take part in an initial assessment before being accepted onto the programme.

It’s Official – We’re Good!

Angela — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:59:36 +0100

Ofsted inspects schools, colleges and other learning providers delivering government funded training making judgements about the achievements and standards, quality of provision and leadership and management. All Ofsted inspections follow the Common Inspection Framework and inspectors use a four point scale to summarise their judgements, with Grade 4 being inadequate through to Grade 1 being outstanding.

The effectiveness of provision, achievements and standards, quality of provision and leadership and management at Avant Partnership were all awarded Grade 2 and confirmed to be good.

This is a fantastic achievement for the organisation and all delivery partners in such a new and innovative venture.

The following Key Strengths were identified by the Ofsted Inspection Team:

Good Train to Gain overall success rates;
Very good retention rates;
Good achievement of additional skills for Young Apprentices;
Good standards of learners work;
Significant development in learners confidence and self-esteem;
Flexible and individual learning programmes;
Good staff development to support improvement;
Productive and responsive partnership working;
Good arrangements to develop and improve equality and diversity practices;

The following findings supported the judgements made by inspectors:

“Success rates across the Train to Gain programme are high. Overall success rates were high at 82% compared with the national rate of 60%”

“Retention rates in the second year of the two year [Young Apprenticeship] programme are high at 89%”

“Avant has developed a flexible and successful approach to support learning. The partnership members work hard to make learning and assessment interesting and inclusive”

“An innovative range of projects have been developed to make the Young Apprenticeship programmes interesting and stimulating”

Employers recognise the improved skill and productivity levels gained from participating in the Train to Gain programmes”

“Very effective individualised learning programmes meet the needs of learners and employers”

“Employers increasingly rely on the increased skill levels of the Train to Gain employees to run their business”

“A key strength is the significant development in learners’ confidence and self esteem. The programme quickly helps them to develop their skills and become highly valued members of their employers’ staff”

“The new skills and confidence gained by some employees has led them to more senior and demanding jobs with their employer”

“The programmes have high retention and success rates and good learner and employer satisfaction levels”

“Partnership working is well established and very effective”

“Avant has a good range of proactive network links in the local community and regional area. It works well in accessing funding for the benefit of the partners and their learners. Staff from Avant uses these networks effectively to initiate new ideas and share good practice”

“Resources are well used by partners to improve the quality of their provision and improvements in the programmes have been established as a result of Avant’s interventions”

The following comments were made by learners during the inspection on what they liked:

“It isn’t like school”

“They are always there to help”

”The programme has given me more confidence in my own ability”

“Grateful in having the opportunity to achieve personal goals”

“Interesting and enjoyable programme”

”Being able to work at our own pace”

“Having helpful and experienced tutors and assessors”

”The training is really good”

The inspection has confirmed that such a new partnership is already very effective and delivering high quality provision. The inspection has enabled us to focus on continually improving the training and development delivered through partnership to continue meeting the expectations and needs of employers and learners.

The Avant Partnership website is launched…

maria — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:02:39 +0100

This website has been created to promote the work of Avant Partnership.

The new site acknowledges the importance of an attractive and ‘easy-to-use’ website for communicating latest information to learners and employers interested in the work based learning offer.

The new site features an easily navigable homepage with links to:

The site was built in partnership with Bluestorm New Media using their custom Content Management System.

Thank you to Gareth, Angela and Adam for all their help!