14 December 2011
A revised edition of the Foundation Focused Training Opportunities (FFTO) Handbook is available on the TEC website. It is effective from 1 January 2012.
The Handbook includes a number of changes for providers to be aware of.
A new section titled ‘2012 payment information’ is included on pages 29 and 30. It explains that FFTO funding in 2012 will be paid in monthly instalments. The 2012 FFTO schedule of payments is also included. Each instalment will include the following three components:
- Training component
- Travel component
- Travel administration component.
Three deliverable-based payments will be in place in 2012 as described below:
- The January payment can only be released when the Terms and Conditions of FFTO funding have been agreed by the provider. This information forms part of your recently-received Funding Approval Letter or Funding Agreement for providers who receive only FFTO funding.
- The June and December payments will also be deliverable-based with payments released once May and November reporting requirements are met. More information on those requirements will be made available closer to the time.
Funding wash-up processes will be applied to all three components of FFTO funding in 2012. We will recover any under-spent funding identified during these processes and will wash up to 100%.
Some changes have been made to the performance commitments and minimum achievement levels for the fund in 2012. Refer to the tabled information on pages 7 and 8.
The section titled “Literacy and numeracy” has been significantly changed. It includes the new literacy and numeracy-related minimum achievement requirement - that providers in receipt of FFTO funding to assess the literacy and numeracy skills of at least 90% of all learners using the Literacy and Numeracy for Adults Assessment Tool or Starting Points. It also includes links to useful resources that will assist providers to assess the literacy and numeracy needs of learners and tailor their Learning Plans accordingly. Refer to pages 14 and 15.
The TEC guaranteed each provider 100% of the FFTO training funding allocated for 2011. We agreed that it would be paid regardless of FFTO occupancy and outcomes achieved as long as the programme is actually being delivered. This guarantee ends as of 31 December 2011. Refer to page 27.
Electronic Receipting System
Providers receiving FFTO funding must ensure that their 2012 FFTO programme information is correct in the Electronic Receipting System (ERS) before processing any 2012 enrolments.
You will need to ensure that all programme details are correct. These include:
- Programme start and end dates
- Allocated maximum numbers
- Programme recess dates
- Programme names and regions
Programme details should match the information outlined in providers’ recently received ‘Confirmation of Investment Plan funding’ letters or ‘FFTO Funding Agreement’ contracts.
TEC contact
Please contact our Service Centre on 0800 601 301 or send an email to servicecentre@tec.govt.nz if you have any questions.