funding

SFA - Update: Issue 28

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 08:22:51 +0100

Update - Issue 28 is now available

This issue includes:

ACTOR launch

Framework for Excellence 2010/11: Action required for Learner Views and Employer Views Surveys

Completion of the Employer Identifier (field A44)

Next Step – integration of Skills Accounts

Higher Education Funding Council for England Review of the Joint Information Systems Committee

Learning Records Service: October Service News

Visit http://readingroom.lsc.gov.uk/SFA/Skills_Funding_Agency_-_Update_-_Issue_28.pdf to find out more

Leadership in Technology Grants

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:46:19 +0100

The Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) is currently inviting bids from learning providers for project grants of £6000 for technology based improvement interventions.

The grant is designed to support learning providers who identify a particular improvement need that can be tackled through the innovative use of technology and organisational development.

The closing date for applications is Friday 17th September 2010 at 12:00pm.

To qualify for this LSIS grant, learning providers are required to:

Identify a particular area for improvement that can be tackled through the effective deployment of technology.

Identify the change management that needs to take place and show how this will be part of the organisational improvement strategy.

Select a mentor who can support you in the implementation of the project and contribute a range of expertise and skills that the learning provider organisation would benefit from.

Learning providers will need to have undertaken a diagnostic or some form of research to justify why the improvement is needed before submitting their application. This evaluation of your current position could be enhanced by using any of the e-progress review tools currently offered by your RSC.

For more information on this funding, please refer to the documentation below or contact the LSIS team on: eleadership@lsis.org.uk.

Download guidance at http://www.lsis.org.uk/WorkingWithLSIS/Opportunities/Tenders/Documents/LSIS%20LIT%20guidance%2026.07.10%20final.pdf and

an Application form at http://www.lsis.org.uk/WorkingWithLSIS/Opportunities/Tenders/Documents/Leadership%20in%20technology%20grant%20based%20intervention%20application%20form%20final%2026.07.10.doc

The hands-on guide to post-16 funding

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 12:58:38 +0100

Nick Linford and Edexcel have produced a guide for school sixth forms, training providers and further education colleges. It explains where the funding comes from, what it funds and how much funding is earned for the most popular qualifications.

Visit http://www.fundingguide.co.uk/ to find out more.

LIG 5

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:45:11 +0100

ALP is pleased to announce the official launch of LIG 5 and invite applications from providers to bid for £3 million of LIG phase 5 capital funding. The full prospectus, application form and supporting documents are now published on the website www.elearningproviders.org.

The submission deadline for LIG 5 bids is 7th October 2009

Successful applicants could receive funding in...

the single bid range of £25 -100k or
the consortium bid range of £50 -150k range.

ALP is keen to see bids from consortiums, as well as encouraging applications from providers who have not previously bid for LIG funding.

Providers are being encouraged within their LIG 5 bids to address issues such as sustainability, accessibility, green technologies, e-safety, and where the use of technology can help providers to improve business efficiencies and take advantage of the economic upturn when it comes.

ALP is also delighted to announce in addition to the £3m LIG 5 fund, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), via the LSC, has released a further £1m grant fund to the ALP for providers in the sector to test how high quality e-learning content could be pump-primed to improve the cost effectiveness of delivery.

This exciting new e-learning content creation (ECC) programme aims to identify gaps in the e-learning content market, particularly to support new industries. It will focus on the development of e-learning content that will have a direct impact on improving the learning experience, the service provided to employers and business efficiencies.

ALP strongly encourages providers to form a consortium to bid for the large scale projects. Between 2 - 4 proposals will be successful with the bid value set from £250,000 - £500,000.

It is anticipated the ECC prospectus and application form will be available at the end of September. As more details become available they will be posted on www.elearningproviders.org

E-Guides eCPD training & dates

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:29:07 +0100

Information from NIACE & LSIS...

NIACE and the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) are pleased to announce a new series of events as part of the E-Guides training programme – see dates at foot of this text, or alternatively please refer to the website for further information: www.niace.org.uk/eguides-ecpd

After another successful year of the E-Guides training programme, which has seen the total number of trained E-Guides reach over 2,500, the training programme forms part of the eCPD programme funded by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) along with the Professional Development Advisers (PDAs) eCPD programme.

“The PDAs and E-Guides eCPD programmes are exciting opportunities for practitioners in the learning and skills sector to support and enhance learning through the effective use of technology. The programmes will help to support your IfL 30 hour or pro rata CPD requirements, engage and improve learning employability skills and deliver new demand-led markets. The programmes form a cornerstone in the delivery of 21st Century Skills outlined in Harnessing Technology for Next Generation Learning”

Markos Tiris (Programme Director, LSIS)

What is the E-Guides eCPD?

The E-Guides eCPD is a three-day blended training programme which aims to increase the confidence and competence of staff in using technology to deliver learning, teaching and support services. It commences with a face-to-face day, followed by a day of online learning activities accessible through the eCPD Online Learning Space (OLS), and concludes with another face-to-face training day. The E-Guides eCPD complements the PDAs eCPD.

The objectives of the training programme are to:

· explore the role of E-Guides;

· develop skills in the use of technology to enhance teaching and learning;

· consider and plan models of cascade training, coaching and mentoring;

· provide E-Guides with resources for developing e-learning with their colleagues in their organisations.

Who can be an E-Guide?

The training is aimed at all staff, paid and unpaid, in the learning and skills sector who are involved with the delivery of learning across different subjects and areas of learning. This includes staff from Learning and Skills Council (LSC) funded learning providers in voluntary & community sector organisations, Workers' Education Association, staff in offender learning and skills, work-based learning organisations, local authorities and FE colleges.

E-Guides need to be confident in their use of ICT, enthusiastic about e-learning, willing to champion change and able to work well with colleagues. E-Guides are expected to cascade their e-learning skills and knowledge across their organisations by contributing to the development of their colleagues’ e-learning skills.

What do previous participants of the E-Guides programme say?

“The course was very informative and interesting, I am leaving more knowledgeable and I believe a better trainer.”

Maria E. O’Meara, tutor, Care Training East Midlands Nottingham

“It has really inspired me to do even more to encourage colleagues to utilize technologies that are out there to make their lives easier and the students lives more fun.”

E-Guide

“Very helpful facilitators with excellent subject knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject”

Anita Collins, Advanced Practitioner, Leeds College of Technology

When and where does the training take place?

Location - Region - Day 1 - Day 2 - Day 3

Liverpool - NW - 13/10/2009 - 06/11/2009 - 26/11/2009

London - LO - 15/10/2009 - 05/11/2009 - 19/11/2009

Hatfield - EA - 22/10/2009 - 10/11/2009 - 24/11/2009

Birmingham - WM - 24/10/2009 - 07/11/2009 - 21/11/2009

Newcastle - NE - 03/11/2009 - 17/11/2009 - 02/12/2009

Oxford - SE - 10/11/2009 - 26/11/2009 - 10/12/2009

Leeds - YH - 12/11/2009 - 30/11/2009 - 09/12/2009

Taunton - SW - 07/01/2010 - 21/01/2010 - 04/02/2010

Nottingham - EM - 13/01/2010 - 27/01/2010 - 17/02/2010

I am interested, how do I find out more?

To apply for a place online please visit the NIACE website: www.niace.org.uk/eguides-ecpd

Further information can also be obtained by contacting Raksha Kanani on Tel: 0116 204 2811, or emailing: e-guides@niace.org.uk

For more information about the PDAs eCPD visit: http://ecpd.bdplearning.com

Furthermore, a training programme will be available for developing Advanced PDAs and Advanced E-Guides.

Funding is available for PDAs, E-Guides, Advanced PDAs and Advanced E-Guides. Contact us for further details.