Work Place Literacy

• What happens to my existing Work Place Literacy contracts when the new framework begins?

  If you are currently involved in a Workplace Literacy project that is receiving funding, please note that nothing will change for you and previously approved projects will continue and complete as agreed.

• Will I have to report on my current Work Place Literacy contracts when the new framework begins?

  Yes, you will be expected to report on your current projects and complete them as per your current contracts.

• When was the cut-off point for Work Place Literacy applications under the "old" framework?

  The 12th August 2009. All applications must now be via the new framework.

• Who can help employers with applications for Work Based Literacy Funding?

  A TEC Literacy and Numeracy Employer Adviser has been employed to work with employers to provide advice on accessing literacy and numeracy support for their employees, or developing their own literacy and numeracy initiatives. The Literacy and Numeracy Employer Adviser can be contacted through the TEC Service Centre (please insert "Literacy and Numeracy Employer Adviser" in the subject line).

• Can providers and employers claim an allocated place at full funding level for employee learners who achieve less than 40 hours in the programme?

  We recognise that for reasons beyond the provider’s control some learners may not complete their allocated hours. To help address this, actual learner hours can be averaged across allocated places, however, the TEC must be notified if allocated places are not being used for whatever reason. If there is a high percentage of learners completing less than 40 hours this may become a performance iss…

• Can providers average out all the hours completed by their allocated places to ensure hours are met?

  Yes.

• Is TEC only interested in completed programme hours at the point of the first progress report (for period ending 31 May 2010)?

  No, we are interested in the data that is asked for within the Workplace Literacy Fund reporting template. The template asks for the numbers of learners enrolled and the total learner hours. It also asks for National Student Numbers (NSNs), the details of employers worked with, regions these employers are in and the total number of learners per employer.

• What happens if the programme hours or numbers of learners are below the expected level at the time of the May progress report?

  If the programme hours or numbers of learners were below the expected hours or numbers of learners at this point, a TEC Performance Analyst has called to discuss with the provider whether or not they expect to meet their agreed performance targets. The intention of this was to help providers avoid incurring a debt as a result of under-delivery. Providers may have chosen to adjust their agreed…

• When will providers hear whether programme funding will continue into 2011 and at what level?

  2011 initial allocations for TEOs that receive Workplace Literacy funding will be sent in late July 2010. Those providers who achieved less than the 40% ‘expected hours and number of learners’ as at end of May will not receive an initial allocation. The second progress report for the period ending 30 September 2010 will provide a clearer indication of what the result for the full year will be.…

• Is there a process, and if so what is it, for requesting consideration to have a top up of funding for the 2010 year, perhaps from providers who will not use all of their funding?

  Given funding has been fully allocated for 2010 it is unlikely there will be top-up funding, however, a decision will be taken on this once performance has been reviewed later in the year.