Date 20/02/08

Organisation Name: Magellan Aerospace (UK) Limited - Wrexham Division

Project Description: Set up an NVQ/apprentice training centre which will offer training and development opportunities to all staff, increasing the level to at least NVQ level 2/3 in appropriate disciplines, thereby improving the competitiveness of the business within the aerospace sector and sustaining employment within the region by contributing to the economic future of that region

Email Address: mary.walker@magellan.aero

Geographical Area of Operation: Wrexham

Organisation Core Business: Manufacturing/Engineering

Who will be involved in delivering the project: senior managers of the company; local colleges possibly some of the other projects described in the project summaries

Who will be the end beneficiaries: employees; customers; supply chain; local economy

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: North West region Wales and beyond

What might the outputs(activity measures): Improved productivity and profitability; improved prospects for both employees and the company

What might be the results of the project: A benchmark for training and development of the workforce for the supply chain

What would its impact be: greater profitability; world class organisation; enhanced relationships with the supply chain

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: all employees at our Wrexham site 350

Estimated Cost: Costs will be associated with the physical set up of the centre i.e £15k; delivering the NVQ programmes through local colleges circa £30k per annum

Where might the match funding come from: Company; management time; local college

Date12/02/08

Organisation Name: DCELLS - Welsh Assembly Government

Project Description: Improve the basic skills learning system within Wales, by providing support across the pre- and post-16 sector.

The project will provide a firm foundation for the development and delivery of basic skills within the pre- and post-16 sectors.

The project will work with regional and local partners and will improve the availability and quality of provision, identify shortfalls based on first hand experience and provide a focal point for strategic development actions.

The project will be based around the National Basic Skills Strategy for Wales – “Words Talk – Numbers Count”. It will take forward the aims and objectives of this strategy, increasing the scale of its impact and developing a robust partnership approach to delivery. It will harness the activities of learning providers and other partners that can help overcome barriers for basic skills learners, increasing capacity within the network and delivering a greatly-increased number of basic skills learning outcomes, both pre- and post-16.

Email Address: bob.waller@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Pan-Convergence Area

Organisation Core Business: Policy and Services

Who will be involved in delivering the project: In addition to the Welsh Assembly Government, those involved in delivering the project will include: schools; further education; work-based learning providers; private providers; local authorities and other community learning providers; voluntary organisations; bodies that provide information, advice and guidance; bodies involved in providing employment services; bodies involved with groups such as offenders and substance-misusers; and those involved in helping young people 14-19 and adults to acquire the basic skills they need to progress.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: The beneficiaries will include young people and adults, within the Convergence Programme area, and organisations, tutors, teachers and professionals who work with young people and adults. The project will span Priorities 1, 2 and 3 of the ESF Convergence Programme.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: All areas within the Convergence Programme

What might the outputs(activity measures): Outputs from the project will include: - A more robust and sustainable structure for basic skills practitioners; The development of a national network to provide advice, guidance and training for basic
skills teachers and supporters at all levels; A regional network of
basic skills delivery agencies providing high quality and well
co-ordinated provision; Information, advice and guidance and support for
staff involved in Basic Skills delivery and provision of a "one-stop-shop"
approach to resources and information on Basic Skills; A systematic approach to the identification of basic skills needs, including producing an all-Wales interactive basic skills initial assessment/screening system; Media campaigns and other approaches to motivate learners; Increased delivery of ESOL and support for tutors regarding ESOL needs; Family learning programmes; Increased numbers of employers supporting basic skills; Hold awareness raising workshops, targeted at staff working for
partner organisations, on the importance of basic skills; Identify and
work closely with strategic support partners to take forward actions to pilot innovative initiatives relating to basic skills for each of the identified priorities; Improved planning framework (map provision, gaps, capacity, quality, screening/assessment); Disseminate examples of good practice amongst providers and practitioners; Ensure the Basic Skills Quality kite mark is maintained, enhanced and extended across the pre- and
post-16 sector; Support the development of support for basic skills through the medium of Welsh, working closely with the individuals, employers and providers to raise awareness amongst Welsh speakers; Develop a website dedicated to providing advice and guidance, information and resources for learners, employers and providers; Develop innovative basic skills programmes that blend basic skills with occupational areas such as basic skills for construction, care and catering; Support the development of a team of mobile basic skills tutors within each region.

What might be the results of the project: The results of the project will be: - Significantly improved levels of basic skills proficiency in the target populations; Improved basic skills practitioner base; Improved family learning and other delivery programmes; Improved delivery of basic skills amongst the employed workforce; Improved delivery of basic skills teaching in all formal and informal educational settings; Improved quality of strategic planning and teaching and learning through the attainment of the basic skills quality mark; Better help and support for learners.

What would its impact be: An improved and sustainable system for delivering basic skills can be expected to: - Improve overall levels of learning; Raise levels of skills in the workplace; Increase levels of employment and reduce problems such as poor health and crime which are often associated with poor basic skills.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: This will be a large scale project that will directly support the "Words Talk - Numbers Count" strategy.

Estimated Cost: Yet to be determined but likely to be at least £6 - 8m per annum (including match funding and ESF) over 7 years drawing on P1, P2 and
P3 ESF programme resources. The project would aim to commence in April 2008.

Where might the match funding come from: Match funding to support the project will arise from WAG central programme budgets and the project will also aim to identify match funding from participating partner organsiations.

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Date: 16/01/08

Organisation Name: Tredegar Development Trust

Project Description: Provide an inital level of training, volunteering, work experience, accreditation and qualifications to young people and adults (aged 11-65) who are either excluded from mainstream education, training or employment. Providing further skills to the employed, and increasing prospects for those already in employment. This informal environment will provide an open door policy for those that are eligible. Advice, guidance and referral for those that need it.
Training will be given in multimedia, the arts, youth development, youth work, ICT, Sound Recording, First Aid, Food Hygeine, Project Management.
Accreditation will be available from OCN to NVQ standards. Individual action plans and one to one supervision will be provided, with progression support inot further training or education, return to school, college or work placements or jobs.

Email Address: katy@catapult.org.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil, RCT, Caerphilly, Torfaen.

Organisation Core Business: Community Development

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Tredegar Development Trust, Careers Wales, Shelter Cymru, Other learning provider partners

Who will be the end beneficiaries: excluded young people and aged 11-65 resident in Blaenau Gwent, Carephilly, Torfaen, RCT, Merthyr Tydfil

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Torfaen, RCT, Merthyr Tydfil,

What might the outputs(activity measures): ESF 1T1&2, 2 T1&2, 3T1, 3, T2, 3T3

What might be the results of the project: Improved social inclusion and employment - return to mainstream education or training or work and employment progression

What would its impact be: Regeneration of ex coalfields and steel production communities.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: 3 year project initially covering five county borough Councils.

Estimated Cost: £950,000.

Where might the match funding come from: Communities First, Big Lottery, Private Match funding, WEFO

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
  

Date: 09/01/08

Organisation Name: South West Wales Regional Essential Skills Partnership

Project Description: The Regional Essential Skills project aims to engage with and meet the needs of employers and the workforce through targeted interventions to improve levels of basic literacy and numeracy skills and occupational skills within the workforce.

The idea of the Regional Essential Skills project has stemmed from previous Learning Network projects that have been delivered with Objective
1 support over the last 7 years in each of the 5 local authority areas of Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Ceredigion.
Each local authority has experience and expertise in delivering such initiatives under the previous programme. Evaluations have been undertaken in each County.


The project will aim to work effectively in partnership and collaboration across 5 local authority areas to engage with and meet the needs of employers and the workforce in South West Wales. The project will use targeted interventions to improve levels of basic literacy and numeracy skills, also ICT, other generic skills and occupational skills within the workforce and support progression to Level 2, with demand-led progression up to, and including Level 3.

Project Objectives
?    To establish an innovative sub-regional partnership of 5 local authority
areas in South West Wales.
?    To raise the levels of basic literacy and numeracy in the workforce.
?    To support the acquisition of ICT, generic and occupational skills in
the workforce.
?    To facilitate progression in employment through flexible and bespoke
training opportunities.
?    To help low skilled workers to gain the additional skills and
qualifications needed to sustain their employment, improve productivity and increase earning via career progression.
?    To identify, share and further develop and implement good practice
across five Local Authority areas to ensure that the needs of employers and workforce skills are met and that they contribute to the Lisbon agenda and national, sub regional and local economic development needs.
?    To add value to existing resources and opportunities for workforce
development through a synergistic approach of collaboration and partnership across the public, private and voluntary sectors including Trade Unions and social partners to support training for non-native speakers of English and Welsh to engage with and supporting employers and their workforce.
?    To research, pilot and develop new ideas, approaches and activities to
engage with and meet the needs of employers and their workforce.

Email Address: mrphillips@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Neath Port Talbot, Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion

Organisation Core Business: Delivery of DCELLS/ Basic Skills Cymru funded adult and community learning in South West Wales

Who will be involved in delivering the project: 5 Local Authorities, 6 FEIs, 2 HEIs, Voluntary and Private sector organisations; employers, Trade Unions, JobCentre Plus etc

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Employees with low level literacy and numeracy skills; Low skilled employees without academic or vocational qualifications up to level 2; Employees requiring progression opportunities up to level 3; Employees who are non-native speakers of English or Welsh; Employees facing specific barriers in accessing training

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Swansea Bay, Central Wales, Pembrokeshire the Haven.

What might the outputs(activity measures): Total beneficiaries trained; Female beneficiaries; Older beneficiaries; BME; Disabled; Basic skills; Tutors/ support staff trained

What might be the results of the project: participants gaining qualifications; participants entering further learning; A co-ordinated approach to the delivery of workplace learning within and across the regions; Higher basic and essential skills levels

What would its impact be: Raised skills level in employment; raised pay level of employment; increased number of women in management.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: Approx 28,000 beneficiaries over 5 years

Estimated Cost: Approx over 5 years = £26 million

Where might the match funding come from: Local authority core budgets, DCELLS funding for learning provision . Each local authority is aware of the potential scale of match funding required.

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
  

Date: 08/01/08

Organisation Name: University of Newport

Project Description: Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships (KESS) / Ysgoloriaethau Sgillau ar gyfer yr Economi Wybodaeth

The delivery of higher-level skills in the workplace is at the heart of several national and EU agendas. Both the Graham Review of part-time HE in Wales (2006) and the Leitch Review of Skills (2005) identify the need for supply-side improvements in the provision of education and training to individuals and SMEs. Additionally, the recent Webb Review of FE (2007) encourages improved ‘employer-provider relationships and challenges FEIs and HEIs to come together in partnership to become ‘the recognised skills driver in their area’. Webb intimates strongly that ‘a consortia approach to the development of new awards should be adopted’ in order to provide integrated and collaborative delivery.

The project will develop a range of research training and high skills development packages linked to demand driven business-commissioned R&D projects.

Delivery of this package of integrated research training and high skills development provision will be linked to the provision of postdoctoral research fellowships, PhD research studentships and Masters level qualifications in order to prepare individuals to contribute to research as professionals.

The core concept of KESS is to promote collaborations between the highest quality research groups (including a large number of groups with an emphasis on the environment and sustainability) in Welsh HEIs for the benefit of businesses, individuals and the R&D bases in the Competitiveness regions of Wales. It will also complement the University of Wales proposed ‘Global Academy – Innovation Scholarships’.

The principal components of KESS are:
•    The appointment of a total of 5, 3-year Postdoctoral Fellowships.
•    The provision of 70 Postgraduate Research Studentships, jointly funded
by industry and incorporating time spent by each student in the company supporting their project (on a full time, part time and distance learning basis).
•    The provision of 80 Research Masters level places, following industry
commissioned research projects (on a full time, part time and distance learning basis).
•    The establishment of a Postgraduate Training Network to provide
collaborative, discipline-specific research and business training. This will include a “Grad School’ element to act as focus for the high skills development and for employer interaction.
The aims of KESS are
•    To support and facilitate the delivery of higher level, post-graduate
skills to support the knowledge economy, particularly in the SME sector and also to attract large industry/ business inward investment.
•    To improve the retention of graduates in the Competitiveness region, in
particular, and build a strong cadre of research students and staff to ensure the sustainability of internationally-excellent research in the region.
•    To prepare the Competitiveness region for the technologies of the future
and to provide the new technologists to lead change.
•    To encourage growth in business funded R&D in the Competitiveness
region.
•    To promote technological development, transfer and commercialisation.
•    To catalyse the building of partnerships with major research funders.
•    To increase access amongst the partner institutions to the EU’s 7th
Framework Programme and build collaborative, interdisciplinary research at the interface of existing disciplines by engaging with the Welsh Assembly Government and business research teams as proposed in the Lambert Report.

Email Address: Karen.turnbull@newport.ac.uk and bryn.jones@bangor.ac.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Regional Competitiveness (East Wales)

Organisation Core Business: Research, Education, Knowledge Transfer

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Higher Education Institutions located in the East Wales Region. Key stakeholders have been involved and support the project.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Participants gaining higher level skills and qualifications.
In particular postgraduate students and fellows, who will then use those skills in employment to the benefit of the knowledge-economy in Wales.
KESS will also include a part time element allowing current employees to ‘up skill’ whilst in employment. The Masters element of the programme provides the opportunity for businesses to release their employees to carry out a targeted research project for 1-year, so both these employees and their employers will benefit. The project will specifically focus on raising skill levels of employees and helping employers and enterprises adapt to change and to raise productivity. Participating businesses, (and other organisations) and research groups in Welsh HEI’s will also benefit.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: All the spatial areas covered by Regional Competitiveness

What might the outputs(activity measures): 1) Number of employees/students enrolled in PhD programmes.
2) Numbers of employees/students enrolled on Masters programmes. 3) Numbers of companies (and other organisations) advised of the opportunity to participate in the scheme. These will fulfil the following target
outputs contained in the Operational Plan: •    Participants accessing level
4 and above training •    Female participants •    Older participants •    Female
participants who work part-time

What might be the results of the project: 1) Number of employees/students gaining PhD qualifications.
2) Number of employees/students gaining Research Masters qualifications.
3) Number of companies (and other organisations) participating in the scheme as collaborators in post-graduate student projects. These will fulfil the following target results contained in the Operational Plan: •
Participants gaining qualifications at (level 4 and above) •    Employers
adopting or improving equality and diversity strategies and monitoring systems

What would its impact be: •    Re-engagement of individuals in learning, increase in
transferable skills, raising technical and research skills. •     Retention
and development of highly skilled people in Competitiveness regions. • Support for the growing knowledge economy in Wales, by increasing the quality of the workforce in Wales and increasing the competitiveness of
companies. •    It will have a significant and enduring impact in the
provision of high-level skills and retention of highly skilled people in the Competitiveness region.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: 6 years, East Wales

Estimated Cost: £6 million over 6 years

Where might the match funding come from: Company partners, academic institutions and staff

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
  

Date: 08/01/08

Organisation Name: University of Newport

Project Description: The delivery of higher-level skills in the workplace is at the heart of several national and EU agendas. Both the Graham Review of part-time HE in Wales (2006) and the Leitch Review of Skills (2005) identify the need for supply-side improvements in the provision of education and training to individuals and SMEs. Additionally, the recent Webb Review of FE (2007) encourages improved ‘employer-provider relationships and challenges FEIs and HEIs to come together in partnership to become ‘the recognised skills driver in their area’. Webb intimates strongly that ‘a consortia approach to the development of new awards should be adopted’ in order to provide integrated and collaborative delivery.

The Knowledge Triangle Skills Project (KTSP) will support the provision of Masters level (post-graduate) higher level skills where there are identified skills gaps, to support the knowledge economy and increase productivity. The project will deliver a range of Masters level courses to both current employees and the future workforce, including the development of new training and education programmes to fill gaps in provision and to facilitate the development of bespoke Masters programmes formulated to meet the demands of the knowledge economy. It will deliver management activity for East Wales, operating at a range of levels from SME-orientated master classes through to full credit-bearing programmes at the executive Masters level. It will promote excellence in higher education and university-business partnerships. It will be complementary to the KESS PhD scholarship programme and the LEAD project. The KTSP project is pivotal to the achievement of the OP and Framework in the delivery of high level skills and will help Wales deliver on the Lisbon Strategy.

Email Address: Karen.turnbull@newport.ac.uk / j.williams@swansea.ac.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: East Wales

Organisation Core Business: Research, Education, Knowledge Transfer

Who will be involved in delivering the project: The HE sector has explored the possibility for partnership collaboration with other organisations and the project will be delivered collaboratively. Discussions have taken place with WEFO. The project will support employers in identifying and addressing the skills needs of their sectors at all levels, with an emphasis on management. The participation of social partners (business and trade unions) will be actively encouraged. Key stakeholders have been involved and support the project.
The KTSP will focus on linking education, research and innovation in the Competitiveness region. Stakeholder involvement will be encouraged in relation to curriculum development and the definition of learning outcomes. Collaboration will take place between HE staff delivering Masters level programmes, with specialist presentations and conferences.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: The existing workforce and the future workforce in need of up-skilling

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: The whole of the Competitiveness area.

What might the outputs(activity measures): Participants gaining qualifications at Level 4 and above.

What might be the results of the project: Delivery of qualifications at Level 4 and above, with a focus on management development activities – outcomes identified in terms of impact on business productivity rates, and contribution to GVA.
Outcomes will be measurable in terms of company participants, and on evaluated impacts on those participants.

What would its impact be: There will be an enduring impact in that the project will enable a greater participation in training and a broader range of participants from the Competitiveness region to access training

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: The project will operate across the Competitiveness region over a six year period, working with key stakeholders.

Estimated Cost: £3m ESF

Where might the match funding come from: University contributions from staff time and overheads.
Employers’ contributions.

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
  

Date: 08/01/08

Organisation Name: University of Newport

Project Description: The delivery of higher-level skills in the workplace is at the heart of several national and EU agendas. Both the Graham Review of part-time HE in Wales (2006) and the Leitch Review of Skills (2005) identify the need for supply-side improvements in the provision of education and training to individuals and SMEs. Additionally, the recent Webb Review of FE (2007) encourages improved ‘employer-provider relationships and challenges FEIs and HEIs to come together in partnership to become ‘the recognised skills driver in their area’. Webb intimates strongly that ‘a consortia approach to the development of new awards should be adopted’ in order to provide integrated and collaborative delivery.

This initiative will provide Welsh Universities with a resource that will help support the development and delivery of a programme of higher level Work Based Learning opportunities that will improve the knowledge, skills and competencies of the workforce and help boost the economic competitiveness of businesses in East Wales.

Welsh Universities will be invited to develop innovative Work Based Learning strategies that will extend and improve the range and quality of opportunities currently available for employees to engage in accredited, graduate level education at the workplace.

In developing a programme of WBL, Welsh Universities will be required to demonstrate how their proposals meet the skills needs of the relevant Spatial Plan Areas or develop a collaborative, thematic, pan competitiveness programme of activity to improve Work Based Learning in the STEM subject areas (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

Eligible proposals will include:
• Accreditation of in–house programmes
• Accreditation of prior learning
• The provision of learning and assessment focused on the general transferable skills • The provision of learning and assessment focused on a specific occupation, • The provision of learning and assessment linked to specific technical development or practices or a specific sector or profession.

Individual proposals will be assessed against agreed criteria and will be approved by the Programme Steering Group which will comprise appropriate
representatives of Welsh Universities (VC or PVC academic) the Sector
Skills Councils and the Private Sector. The Programme Steering Group will ensure that there is an appropriate geographical distribution of activity, expenditure and outputs across East Wales.

The programmes activity, expenditure and outputs will be co-ordinated by a lead University as will project assurance, evaluation and audit requirements.

Email Address: Karen.turnbull@newport.ac.uk / mjeffrie@glam.ac.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: West Wales and the Valleys

Organisation Core Business: Research, Education, Knowledge Transfer

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Welsh Higher Education Institutions

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Private sector Employers and employees residing or working in East Wales.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: The 7 Local Authorities that comprise East Wales.

What might the outputs(activity measures): * Welsh Universities working with 100 employers , * 1000 employees at Level 4 or above in sectors appropriate to the Spatial plan and / or in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

What might be the results of the project: Accreditation towards qualifications at level 4 or above in key areas identified and in particular within Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

What would its impact be: Increasing the qualifications of people in work to meet specific skill at higher levels needed by private sector employers in East Wales.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: 6 year project; Current estimates of 1,000 employees benefiting from the programme

Estimated Cost: Total Project cost £9m over six years = £1m per annum, plus £0.5m for collaborative STEM based initiatives

Where might the match funding come from: Welsh HEI’s and the Private Sector

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
  

Date: 07/01/08

Organisation Name: University of Newport

Project Description: The delivery of higher-level skills in the workplace is at the heart of several national and EU agendas. Both the Graham Review of part-time HE in Wales (2006) and the Leitch Review of Skills (2005) identify the need for supply-side improvements in the provision of education and training to individuals and SMEs. Additionally, the recent Webb Review of FE (2007) encourages improved ‘employer-provider relationships and challenges FEIs and HEIs to come together in partnership to become ‘the recognised skills driver in their area’. Webb particularly focuses upon the need for ‘an expansion of Foundation degrees’ and intimates strongly that ‘a consortia approach to the development of new awards should be adopted’ in order to provide integrated and collaborative delivery.

The project will develop and deliver Foundation Degrees and progression routes to NVQ level 3.

The project will provide beneficiaries who are permanently resident in East Wales programme area with opportunities to undertake Foundation degrees. The Foundation degrees will be promoted to key sector workers and disadvantaged and/or under-represented groups (BME, women, disabled workers, older workers, etc). The aim will be to encourage non-traditional progression routes into further and higher learning, life-long learning and work-based learning. The Foundation degrees will also be formulated to meet the demands of individual sectors.

In terms of subject areas to be covered, this is a non-exhaustive list:
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) • ICT • Construction • Innovation • Environment (Renewable Energy, Materials Resource Efficiency, Environmental Management, Environmental Construction, Waste Management,
etc.)
• Health (e.g. Community Health, Nutrition, Nursing) • Public Sector (e.g. social care, education, police)

There could also be a focus on sectors of key strategic importance to the Welsh Assembly.

The project itself will be innovative in terms of its flexible delivery,
including:
• Taster sessions (evenings/ weekends to tempt FT-working beneficiaries) • Summer Access course in numeracy and literacy • Work-based learning/ e-learning/ distance learning • Learning @ FEIs that will feed into degree courses at HEIs nearby • Support for beneficiaries, including fee waivers and/or bursaries (subject to successful completion of credits)

Email Address: Karen.turnbull@newport.ac.uk / mjeffrie@glam.ac.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: East Wales

Organisation Core Business: Research, Education, Knowledge Transfer

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Higher Education Institutions, Further Education Institutions, Sector Skills Councils

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Disadvantaged or under-represented groups (BME, women, disabled workers, older workers, etc). Indirectly, Welsh industry will benefit

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: All beneficiaries will be permanently resident and/ or work in the Regional Competitiveness (East Wales) area. However, project delivery partners can be based in the Convergence (West Wales and the
Valleys) Programme area, in order to provide beneficiaries with the best education opportunities possible.

What might the outputs(activity measures): Participants accessing qualifications at level 3: * Female participants, * Older participants, * BME participants , * Participants with work-limiting health condition or disability, * Female participants who work part-time

What might be the results of the project: * Participants gaining qualifications, * Women in management, * Skills level of employment

What would its impact be: * Increased skills levels of the workforce, * Women in management

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: Wales-wide, but it will be determined by the scale of interest from potential beneficiaries

Estimated Cost: Total cost: £3m

Where might the match funding come from: Project partners, Hefcw, Sector Skills Councils

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
  

Date: 21/12/07

Organisation Name: Welsh Language Board - Bwrdd yr Iaith Gymraeg

Project Description: The project will establish a structured national qualification scheme for work-relevant Welsh language skills. This will encourage individuals to progress their skill levels, and will provide employers with the framework they need to improve Welsh language services through recruitment and staff development. Marketing will target those
with ‘latent’ Welsh language skills, especially 14-19 year olds and those seeking to re-enter employment. Training and assessment could be delivered by FE/HE institutions and Welsh for Adults centres. An online ‘exchange’ will match available skills to employer demand.

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Bydd y prosiect yn creu cynllun cymhwyster cenedlathol strwythuredig yn mesur sgiliau Cymraeg ar gyfer y gweithle. Bydd yn annog unigolion i ddatblygu lefel eu sgiliau, ac yn darparu’r fframwaith sydd ei angen ar gyflogwyr i wella gwasanaethau iaith Gymraeg trwy recriwtio a datblygu staff. Bydd marchnata yn targedu’r rheiny sydd â sgiliau ‘cudd’ yn y Gymraeg, yn arbennig oedrannau 14-19 a phobl sydd eisiau dychwelyd at waith. Medrai sefydliadau AB/AU a Chanolfannau Cymraeg i Oedolion ddarparu hyffroddiant ac asesu. Bydd ‘cyfnewidfa’ arlein yn priodi anghenion cyflogwyr at y sgiliau sydd ar gael.

Email Address: ifan.evans@byig-wlb.org.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Pan Wales - Cymru Gyfan

Organisation Core Business: Promotion of Welsh Language - Hyrwyddo'r Iaith Gymraeg

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Interested Partners (Welsh For Adults Centres & Further
Education) - Partneriaid (Canolfannau Cymraeg i Oedolion ac Addysg
Bellach)

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Individuals and SMEs - Unigolion a BBCh

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Pan Wales - Cymru Gyfan

What might the outputs(activity measures): Individuals gaining certificated Welsh Language at Work Skills - Unigiolion yn ennill sgiliau Cymraeg yn y Gwaith Tystysgrifedig

What might be the results of the project: Better supply of bilingual staff to meet existing unsatisfied employer demand - Gwell cyflenwad o staff dwyieithog i ateb y galw presennol gan gyflogwyr

What would its impact be: More flexible and skilled workforce, better customer services, reduced translation costs - Gweithlu mwy hyblyg a sgilgar, gwell gwasanaeth i gwsmeriaid, lleihau costau cyfieithu

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: Pan Wales, At least 3 years, At least 1000 participants - Cymru Gyfan, 3 mlynedd neu ragor, O leiaf 1000 o unigolion

Estimated Cost: To be discussed - I'w drafod

Where might the match funding come from: Interested Partners, Employer Staff Time/Fees, Private Course Time/Fees - Partneriaid, Amser/Ffi staff gan Gyflogwyr, Amser/Ffi cwrs gan Unigolion

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
  

Date: 21/12/07

Organisation Name: South West Wales Local Government Partnership

Project Description: The Regional Essential Skills project aims to engage with and meet the needs of employers and the workforce through targeted interventions to improve levels of basic literacy and numeracy skills and occupational skills within the workforce.

The idea of the Regional Essential Skills project has stemmed from previous Learning Network projects that have been delivered with Objective
1 support over the last 7 years in each of the 5 local authority areas of Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Ceredigion.
Each local authority has experience and expertise in delivering such initiatives under the previous programme. Evaluations have been undertaken in each County.


The project will aim to work effectively in partnership and collaboration across 5 local authority areas to engage with and meet the needs of employers and the workforce in South West Wales. The project will use targeted interventions to improve levels of basic literacy and numeracy skills, also ICT, other generic skills and occupational skills within the workforce and support progression to Level 2, with demand-led progression up to, and including Level 3.
Project Objectives
?    To establish an innovative sub-regional partnership of 5 local authority
areas in South West Wales.
?    To raise the levels of basic literacy and numeracy in the workforce.
?    To support the acquisition of ICT, generic and occupational skills in
the workforce.
?    To facilitate progression in employment through flexible and bespoke
training opportunities.
?    To help low skilled workers to gain the additional skills and
qualifications needed to sustain their employment, improve productivity and increase earning via career progression.
?    To identify, share and further develop and implement good practice
across five Local Authority areas to ensure that the needs of employers and workforce skills are met and that they contribute to the Lisbon agenda and national, sub regional and local economic development needs.
?    To add value to existing resources and opportunities for workforce
development through a synergistic approach of collaboration and partnership across the public, private and voluntary sectors including Trade Unions and social partners to support training for non-native speakers of English and Welsh to engage with and supporting employers and their workforce.
?    To research, pilot and develop new ideas, approaches and activities to
engage with and meet the needs of employers and their workforce.

Email Address: mrphillips@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Neath Port Talbot, Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion

Organisation Core Business: 5 Local Authorities, 6 FEIs, 2 HEIs, Voluntary and Private sector organisations; employers, Trade Unions, JobCentre Plus etc

Who will be involved in delivering the project: 5 Local Authorities, 6 FEIs, 2 HEIs, Voluntary and Private sector organisations; employers, Trade Unions, JobCentre Plus etc

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Employees with low level literacy and numeracy skills; Low skilled employees without academic or vocational qualifications up to level 2; Employees requiring progression opportunities up to level 3; Employees who are non-native speakers of English or Welsh; Employees facing specific barriers in accessing training

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Swansea Bay, Central Wales, Pembrokeshire the Haven.

What might the outputs(activity measures): Total beneficiaries trained; female beneficiaries trained; older beneficiaries; BME; disabled; basic skills; tutors/support staff trained

What might be the results of the project: The project will contribute to the delivery of the target outputs of Priority 3 to support productivity and progression in employment demonstrating the following results:A co-ordinated approach to the delivery of workplace learning within and across the regions; Increased number of bespoke training packages developed; Number of beneficiaries undertaking training. ; Number of qualifications gained; Further learning; CPD Advice and Guidance; Higher basic and essential skills levels

What would its impact be: Raised skills levels in employment; raised pay levels of employees; increased number of women in management; improved GVA Roughly what might be the scale of the project: £25m

Estimated Cost: Approximately £25m over 5 years

Where might the match funding come from: Local authority core budgets, DCELLS funding for learning provision . Each local authority is aware of the potential scale of match funding required.

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Date: 21/12/07

Organisation Name: Bridgend College

Project Description: The project will employ a multi agency approach to engage with Sme’s from within the convergence region, who wishes to improve their knowledge and skills to support productivity and progression in employment. The project will carry out a training needs analysis and produce a training matrix customised to the individual’s needs and skills level.

The project will also refer to the Sector Skills Council list of recommendations on training needs and skills shortages to ensure that we are addressing the right skills at the right level for the region.

To achieve this, the project will identify and engage with potential beneficiaries via discussions and completion of TNAs. Agree with each beneficiary an individual learning and development plan, identifying targets and aims for achievement.

The project will deliver skills in a number of key areas. These
include:-

•    One to one or group sessions in ICT skills including Word, Excel,
Databases, Outlook/Internet and Sage Accounts. Short course sessions will offer OCN as an accredited qualification outcome and further progression to formal IT qualifications can be achieved via Learn Direct.
•    Individualised training packages such as Customer Service, Time
Management, and Team Leading etc can be delivered on site in the workplace to beneficiaries and also NVQ qualifications where relevant.
•    Basic Skills in the workplace in line with the Employer Pledge but using
innovative techniques such a projects using modern technologies such as blogs, websites and WAP.
•    Practical business support skills can be offered by utilising the
Virtual Company.
•    Enterprise and Business Support Skills for those looking to setting up a
new Company or those who have recently set up a new Company.
•    Forest Leaders Award for those in Child Care Industries.

Email Address: anotley@bridgend.ac.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Bridgend County Borough

Organisation Core Business: Education and Training

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Bridgend College, The College Ystrad Mynach and other partners

Who will be the end beneficiaries: The majority of beneficiaries will be employees working within Sme’s and micro Sme’s.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Bridgend/RCT/Caerphilly/Torfaen/Merthyr/Blaenau Gwent

What might the outputs(activity measures): Increased number of people achieving accredited qualifications

What might be the results of the project: Qualifications gained at levels 1 to 3.

What would its impact be: Increased skills level of those in employment Roughly what might be the scale of the project: SE Wales project lasting 4-5 years

Estimated Cost: ?

Where might the match funding come from: DCELLS Funding, College Funding, Private match funding from Sme's

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Date: 20/12/07

Organisation Name: South West Wales Local Authority Partnership

Project Description: This innovative project will address the continuing barriers that the independent care sector faces by providing a platform in improving and developing the skills levels for all those already involved or are considering a career within the sector.

The project will not only focus on developing the skills of employees but also equip care home and homecare managers and proprietors with the necessary management skills that are needed to run a cost effective and sustainable business.

This project will respond to the demographic changes and the growing demand for social care services. It will address the shortage of people entering the sector and eliminate the high turnover of staff and improve the lack of career progression, whilst proactively raising the quality of the workforce to meet the forecasted increase in demand.

The project will also raise the level of skills in line with the recommended qualification framework, provide the resources needed by SMEs to up skill the workforce in order to ensure sustainable delivery and the quality of long term and short term social care.

The project will address the basic skills issues to meet literacy, numeracy and ESOL needs. Welsh medium courses/assessment will be provided as required and ICT will be used as a medium of delivery.

The project will take a holistic and strategic approach to increase the skills and capacity within the sector which in turn will meet the needs of local communities and ensure sustainable progress with an innovative and flexible approach to learning and attainment.

The project will develop the business skills of employers to enhance their sectors delivery process and continually improve standards of care delivered by a better educated workforce in an expanding sector, creating more employment opportunities which will contribute to the local economy and in turn Gross Domestic Product.

Email Address: e.bishop@npt.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Carmarthenshire; Neath Port Talbot; Pembrokeshire and Swansea Local Authority Areas

Organisation Core Business: Local Government

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, Neath Port Talbot College, City & County of Swansea, Swansea College, Carmarthenshire County Council, Swansea University, Pembrokeshire County Borough Council, Pembrokeshire College of FE, Coleg Sir Gar. Other partners include Care Sector Standards Inspectorate for Wales, Care Council for Wales, Careers Wales and Job Centre +.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Recipients of health and social care. Employees in the regions of Swansea Bay and Western Valleys and Pembrokeshire – The Haven.

Economically Inactive, Young people interested in a social care career, People whose first language is not English, SME’s and Local Communities.
Employees of all ages and those particularly facing specific barriers such as return to work, single parents, people with disabilities, those from BME background, as well as migrant workers.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Swansea Bay and Western Valleys, Pembrokeshire – The Haven

What might the outputs(activity measures): Number of Employers (SME’s) in the Social Care Sector, Number of employees entering and being retained in social care work.
Number of appropriately qualified employees from entry level to management level NVQ 4 currently working in the Social Care Sector. Number of beneficiaries continuing to higher education and those who wish to pursue further additional training. The mode of delivery of specialist training which will result in sustainable development and valuable succession planning and potential business opportunities. Feasibility studies to enable sector growth to meet demand and courses specifically designed to encourage future proprietors of care homes into the sector, equipping them with the skills and underpinning knowledge to statutory requirements.

What might be the results of the project: Improved services for people requiring and utilizing social care; Participants gaining qualifications relevant to the needs of the sector. Employers engaged in a programme of business development to me the needs of the sector and a learning workforce. Adopting best practice, equality and diversity strategies, monitoring systems to support recruitment and retention into the sector.

What would its impact be: Participant job quality, Participants making progress against a soft outcomes and improved basic skills. Enhanced skills in the Social Care Sector leading to improved career prospects. Improved business skills to facilitate sustainable development and business growth contributing to GDP.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: Over the six year period the beneficiaries would include 450 independent care businesses and approximately 3000 individuals over the duration of the convergence programme which will peak during years two and three allowing for sustainable development when the funding ceases.

Estimated Cost: £5 million

Where might the match funding come from: Local Authority funds and match funding, College funds and match funding, Funding from private sector, voluntary and independent care providers, WAG funding.

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