Parents urged to rethink young peoples options http://www.lsc.gov.uk/news/pressreleases/Parents-urged-to-rethink-young-peoples-options.htm  

Minimum Levels of Performance (MLP)

MLP is set at 45% using the overall new measures and will be against framework and level. The LSC will not be seeking to break this down further by age due to the complexities that this will cause. Currently there are 22 providers who have provision in scope for tendering, around 500-600 learner places could be in scope for commissioning.

19+ Provision

The LSC are committed to growing both 16-18 and 19+ programmes. The guarantee is in place to meet all 16-18 demand. LSC will also consider growing providers 19+ allocations were they are within 10% of 16-18 numbers and above 60% new measures framework overall success rate.

19-24 learners on Train to Gain

The LSC are continuing to address the issue of learners within the age group 19-24 who are participating on Train to Gain as opposed to Apprenticeship. As previously communicated Apprenticeships are the preferred route for the 19-24 age group, however, if any of those learners previously participating on Train to Gain completed then please consider the opportunity to progress them to an Advanced Apprenticeship to complete a framework.

EMA

There are due to be significant changes to the EMA rules post 30th June 2008. As yet the guidance has not been issued from the LSC, however, there are a couple of notable changes that you should be aware of.

All e2e learners starting a programme of study on or after 30th of June 2008 will receive the maximum £30 weekly EMA payment, regardless of their household income. Learners who progress from E2E onto other programmes will be reassessed for EMA according to their Household Income; they will not automatically carry the £30 eligibility onto other programmes such as FE or WBL.

All E2E/PLA learners will accumulate bonus payments at a rate of £5 per week. The learning provider and learner agree the criteria for the bonus payments and their frequency at the start of the learning programme - the first bonus cannot be paid until the learner has completed a minimum of 10 weeks. After that point, the learning provider (in agreement with the learner) can choose when to pay the accumulated bonuses and use them to their best effect to encourage and motivate the learner.