For the past decade all learning providers within the further education sector in England have had to contend with one funding and planning agency, namely LSC regarding commissioning and procurement of skills provision for 16-24 learners. Nevertheless, from April 2010 as a result of Machinery of Government policy changes, the post 16 landscape will see the transition of power and funding move from the LSC to Local Authorities (LA) for 16-18 national commissioning arrangements. All providers will need to procure contracting arrangements from the LAs and possibly three funding and planning agencies, e.g. Young People Learning Agency (YPLA), Skills Funding Agency (SFA) and or National Apprenticeship Service (NAS).

In the lead up to the implementation of the transition of funding arrangements for both of 16-19 education and training post 19 funding, ALP has been gathering information from Learning Providers' opinions of Local Authorities in relation to the Machinery of Government changes due to take effect in April 2010 through a series of opinion surveys.

As a consequence, ALP is pleased to announce it will be hosting a series of ‘A Brave New World: Machinery of Government, making it happen on the ground’ Regional Events about the effects of MoG and the new commissioning agencies covering both 16-18 and 19+ funding. The Meetings to be chaired by Paul Eeles, Director for Sector Reforms and 14-19, who has led within ALP on the Machinery of Government Changes over the last 18 months; delegates will have the opportunity to ask pressing questions about MoG and the National Commissioning Framework  for 16-18 year old provision and the arrangements for 19+ learners and the interconnections between the various agencies to senior personnel from  LAs, YPLA, NAS, SFA  and the React Programme, the team responsible to preparing transition and capacity building for all Local Authorities across England.

These series of half day events will provide an opportunity and help all providers to seek answers to their questions about the brave new world and the implications to their organisations. The dates for the regional ALP MoG events are as follows:

 Manchester - 1 March
 London - 4 March
 Birmingham - 10 March
 Taunton - 15 March

Due to the nature and timing of these Brave New World regional events, it is anticipated the meetings will prove to be very popular with all Providers and are likely to sell out very quickly. It’s strongly advised to book early to avoid disappointment as there is a limited capacity per venue, so register today.

The event fees for half day including light lunch and refreshments are:
£30+vat – ALP Members   £60+vat – Non Members