EFA e-bulletin for schools, colleges and other 16 to 19 providers: 9 January 2014
Published 11 March 2014
© Crown copyright 2014
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/efa-e-bulletin-9-january-2014/efa-e-bulletin-for-schools-colleges-and-other-16-to-19-providers-9-january-2014
1. Information: individualised learning record (ILR) Returns: R06
The Data Service has announced that the R04 contingency arrangements for collecting data using the Online Data Collections System (OLDC) will continue for the R06 return. Further information is available on their website.
The key messages are:
- if you receive funding directly from EFA, the data you submit through the OLDC will be used to make allocations for 2014 to 2015 at R06
- if you are making an ESF claim, you must submit data through the data returns service on the Skill Funding Agency’s Hub as well as to OLDC at R06
While you must submit data to the OLDC system to allow us to calculate your allocation for 2014 to 2015, it is requested that you also return the same data to the new data returns service on the Skill Funding Agency’s Hub at R06. This will enable the Data Service to thoroughly test the new system. You will receive reports from both systems in this period of parallel running.
R06 is an important return as it is used to calculate the volume of students present at R04 (using the 1 November reference date). It is therefore essential this return is as accurate as possible.
This change to the normal annual cycle means any exceptional business cases related to FE student numbers will not be dealt with in February as is usually the case.
Institutions will have an opportunity to raise any exceptional cases on student numbers in April.
2. Information: Redundant Learning Aim References (LARS) codes
A number of redundant Learning Aim References (LARS) codes have been left available in the Individualised Learner Record (ILR) R04 return.
These need to be replaced as the aims are no longer available to be used in an ILR submission and will be flagged as invalid in all subsequent 2013 to 2014 ILR returns.
| Learning Aim Reference | Learning Aim Title |
| Z0002341 | Work experience/placement, 0 to 41 hrs |
| Z0002342 | Work experience/placement, 42-126 hrs |
| Z0002343 | Work experience/placement, 127-167 hrs |
| Z0002344 | Work experience/placement, 168-252 hrs |
| Z0002345 | Work experience/placement, 253-336 hrs |
| Z0002346 | Work experience/placement, 337+ hrs |
From R05 providers using these learning aim references must recode their data using the valid aim codes listed below.
| Learning Aim Reference | Learning Aim Title |
| Z0007834 | Work experience/placement, 0 to 49 hrs |
| Z0007835 | Work experience/placement, 50-99 hrs |
| Z0007836 | Work experience/placement, 100-199 hrs |
| Z0007837 | Work experience/placement, 200-499 hrs |
| Z0007838 | Work experience/placement, 500+ hrs |
3. Information: updated section 96 website
Section 96 is the section of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 that provides the Secretary of State with the power to approve qualifications for delivery to young people aged under 19 years.
The section 96 website has recently been updated and now contains:
- information on the core principals used to approve qualifications under section 96
- additional guidance and links to enable queries to be better placed
- a link to download a complete set of section 96 approved qualifications
- a link to download a complete set of section 96 qualifications that have passed their section 96 archive date
- an updated FAQ page
4. Information: traineeships update to eligible providers
EFA and the Skills Funding Agency have jointly published the refreshed list of eligible providers for delivery of traineeships.
The list is the second of four refreshes to ensure referral agencies and other stakeholders can access the latest available information. It covers both who is eligible and intending to deliver traineeships. The information is also available by local authority area.
The supplementary information, containing the key question and answers, has also been refreshed. The list and supplementary information can be found on the Skills Funding Agency website.
The documents are located in the ‘useful links’ on the right hand side of the page. The next refresh is scheduled for February.
5. Information: Youth Contract programme for 16- and 17-year-olds
The Youth Contract programme for 16- and 17-year-olds supports disengaged young people to move into education, training or employment with training.
Version 5 of the local authority roles in the youth contract for 16 and 17 year olds document is now available on GOV.UK.