Confirmation of funding
A link to our monthly qualifications confirmed for funding list can be found below, as well as our link to our current qualification journey documentation and list of confirmed units to support the unemployed.
If you have any queries, please contact us .
Qualification Rollover Process for 2013/14 - Update
In January 2013, we released the first version of the 2013/14 Simplified Funding Rates Catalogue which lists all qualifications that the Skills Funding Agency will fund for 2013/14 along with their funding rates. The catalogue allows providers to view the qualifications approved for public funding, well in advance of the start of the new delivery year.
A new online application will be implemented from early August 2013 and will replace the current Learning Aims Reference Application (LARA) for 2013/14 onwards. This new application will reflect all provision offered in England, as well as funding and validity information for those publicly funded.
The Agency has therefore decided that as funding information for qualifications approved for 2013/14 is now accessible through the Simplified Funding Rates Catalogue and the new online application for 2013/14 will be going live from early August 2013, validity and funding information will not be rolled over in the current LARA to reflect funding for 2013/14.
A confirmed list of units available as part of the 2013/14 offer will be published in May and added to the Funding Rates Catalogue.
If you have any queries regarding qualification eligibility and funding, please contact the Qualifications Team by emailing:
qualifications@skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk
If you have any queries regarding the funding rates of any qualifications, please contact the Funding Systems Team by emailing:
fundingsystems@skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk
Stand Alone Qualifications validity start date update
The Skills Funding Statement 2012-2015 announced that certain stand alone qualifications: health and safety at work, emergency first aid at work, food safety and fork lift truck qualifications would be funded as new starts for those unemployed learners in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) / Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) (Work Related Activity Group (WRAG)) from 1 January 2013.
The Agency is aware that a number of these qualifications are currently showing on Learning Aim Reference Application (LARA) with an earlier start date than 1 January 2013. This is an error and we are working to rectify this. In the interim, please note that new starts are only eligible from 1 January 2013.
Qualifications which currently hold an incorrect Validity Start Date
If you have any questions regarding any of the stand alone qualification information on LARA, please contact the Qualification Team .
English and maths in the Qualifications and Credit Framework
In October 2012 the Agency confirmed interim funding arrangements, involving use of the Innovation Code, in the lead up to new English and maths qualifications (and units) becoming accredited and available in the QCF.
Some of these qualifications have now been accredited. From January 2013 we will approve for funding all accredited QCF English and maths qualifications for funding across the Adult Skills Budget (including Awards at level 2). We will also fund units within the Rules of Combination of these QCF English and maths qualifications. More information on this unit offer will be available in early 2013.
We are aware that some awarding organisations are still working through the accreditation process with Ofqual for their English and maths qualifications. For this reason we have extended the interim funding arrangements for a further period until 31 March 2013.
Full details of the extended interim arrangements are available .
The Qualification Journey
The Qualification Journey is the process by which qualifications are assessed for public funding for post-19 learners in England. It covers the process from a qualification’s accreditation by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations (Ofqual) to its consideration by the Agency for public funding. Qualifications on the Qualifications Credit Framework (QCF) that are approved for funding are published on the Agency’s website and also the Learning Aim Reference Application (LARA).
To help providers understand this process, an updated version of the Qualification Journey is available .
Exceptions Process
The Exceptions Process is part of the Funding Confirmation Process. It has been put in place to allow the Agency to respond to requests from organisations on the funding of particular regulated qualifications or groups and/or types of these qualifications.
The Exceptions Process can also be used for requests for additional and/or particular units to be made available as part of the Offer for the Unemployed and/or Offender Learning and Skills Service (OLASS).
The Exceptions Process helps to ensure that the Funding Confirmation Process can adapt to changes in policy and remain current. It will be monitored by the Agency’s quarterly Strategic Approvals Panel.
Full guidance on the Exceptions Process is now available.
Qualifications and Credit Framework Qualifications confirmed for public funding
This online list identifies the qualifications within the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) that have so far been confirmed as appropriate for government contribution within the Single Adult Skills Budget for 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 academic years.
The list also highlights Awards at level 2 and 3 which have been approved as part of the unemployed offer and Offender Learning and Skills (OLASS) Offer. This information can be determined by checking the comments column.
Please note that funding is only allocated to learners who are in scope for these offers.
Qualifications approved for funding will continue to be added to the Learning Aim Reference Application (LARA), which will include funding rates and programme weighting factors.
Please note that this list is only for QCF qualifications however GCSE’s, A Levels, Functional Skills, Skills for Life Adult Literacy and Numeracy, English for Speakers of Other Languages and QAA recognised Access to Higher Education Diplomas, will continue to be eligible for public funding in 2012/2013 where the qualification is operational.
Qualifications and Credit Framework qualifications confirmed for public funding - Updated 24 April 2013
