Eddie Keating

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The North West Higher Level Skills Pathfinder
Eddie Keating Specialist Advisor Business
Professional Services
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Application Form

• Gateway Criteria for all applications
• Demand led / Meets a recognised skills gap
• Refer to SSC Prospectus, RES, Regional Statement
  of Learning and Skills Priorities, additional
  sector research if appropriate
• Employer linkages/engagement
• Funding can only be allocated to proposals that
  demonstrate this

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Application Form

• Gateway Criteria for all applications
• No displacement
• Does not currently exist in region
• Can include development of existing provision to
  be delivered in a new format (e.g. online) to
  meet employer demand
• Learning Outcomes
• All Level 4 and above provision but must have
  accreditation
• NVQs 4 5

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Application Form

• Gateway Criteria for all applications
• Management and QA
• Detail mechanisms for the management, monitoring
  and review of new provision
• Include diversity and equal opportunities
  considerations

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Application Form

• Project / Programme Description
• Include project objectives, and a full
  description of how proposal will offer
  new/adapted provision
• Detail any partner institutions
• Refer to additional guidance from FDF for the
  development of Foundation Degrees

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Application Form

• Timescales / Project Milestones
• Target audience identification / Evidence of
  employer involvement / Anticipated numbers of
  learners
• Funding will only be granted to proposals that
  show detailed evidence in the development and
  delivery of new provision
• Fully detail all employer contributions, e.g.
  financial, in kind etc. Include letters of
  support where possible

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Application Form

• Development Funding Required
• Enter a full summary of all costs
• Include details of funding from any other sources
• Additional Student Numbers
• Enter as FTEs
• Include number and year required

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Application Form

• Mainstreaming Sustaining Activity
• Areas to consider include plans to maintain and
  expand employer linkages, strategies to promote
  demand-led curriculum development, and plans to
  maintain and expand employer linkages.
• HEFCE strategy on employer engagement
• Staff Development
• Detail staff development needs within institution
• This will inform other HLSP activity in
  conjunction with HE Academy

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Application process

• Applications for development funding will be
  assessed by each Sector Panel
• Proposals will be assessed against SSC criteria
  to ensure development funding is driven by
  employer demand
• Additional Student Numbers applications sent to
  Steering Group for approval
• Feedback to providers from Specialist Advisors,
  opportunity to reapply if unsuccessful

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Business Professional Services Sector Panel

• Led by relevant Sector Skills Councils FSSC
  Asset Skills
• Also include LSC, NWDA, SSPA and Regional Cluster
  Bodies
• Supported by the Pathfinder Project Manager and
  Specialist Advisor

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Applications for Development Funding

• Application forms guidance notes in delegate
  packs, emailed to all delegates on Monday 19th
  March
• Available to download on NWUA website by w/e 23rd
  March
• www.nwua.ac.uk/pathfinder
• Deadline for completed applications for first
  round of funding is Monday 30th April 2007
• More information on further rounds of funding
  available from Specialist Advisor (as available)

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NWUA Support for Application Process

• Main point of contact between providers and
  Sector Panel is the Specialist Advisor
• Eddie Keating, Specialist Advisor
• ekeating_at_nwua.ac.uk 07769 883 460
• General enquiries
• Virginia Mitchell, Administration Assistant
• vmitchell_at_nwua.ac.uk 0161 2340431
• Further information on NWUA website
• www.nwua.ac.uk/pathfinder