Decision details
Workforce for the Future – Core delivery partners
Decision Maker: Chief Executive, West of England Combined Authority
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Purpose:
This proposal sought approval for proposed
core delivery partners for the Workforce for the Future core
service.
Workforce for the Future is an £8m programme, funded with 50%
Investment Fund and 50% European Social Fund (ESF) monies, which
runs until December 2023.
The application process in relation to core delivery partners
requested that potential delivery partners identified whether their
proposal could be part of the core service or one which had a
project specific focus for example, a sector, geography or
cohort.
The Expression of Interest stage closed on 17 April 2020; those
areas identifying as part of the core offer were contacted and
asked to submit full applications. These were received by 24 July.
The applications received responded to a core support service
specification which had, in line with WECA’s principles of
working in partnership, been developed in conjunction with the
Director of Business and Skills, Head of People and Skills, Service
Lead for Enterprise, Inward Investment and Trade and the potential
delivery partners. Procurement and Grant Management and Assurance
Teams were also involved in the process to ensure compliance with
WECA’s policies and operating frameworks and to undertake due
diligence checks. The full applications were reviewed by an
internal panel of WECA officers from across People and Skills,
Enterprise, Inward Investment and Trade and Grant Management &
Assurance.
Through a delegation approved by the WECA Committee, the WECA Chief
Executive had delegated authority to take the decision to approve
core delivery partners in consultation with the constituent council
Chief Executives.
Decision:
That approval be given to the following
delivery partners and their areas of focus as shown below (which
will run for the entirety of the programme to December 2023):
* Business West - SME needs analysis
* Adviza - Talent retention
* University of the West of England - Digital skills
* Western Training Provider Network - Apprenticeships
* College Consortia (Bath, City of Bristol, South Glos & Stroud
& Weston) - Skills pathways
* Internal Service – Careers Enterprise Hub - School
engagement
* Internal Service - Growth Hub incl. communication and marketing,
CRM - SME Engagement
Alternative options considered:
Not applicable in relation to this specific
decision, i.e. this was the option considered.
Publication date: 25/09/2020
Date of decision: 17/09/2020
Accompanying Documents: