To inform the project, CFE carried out a brief exploration of GTA or ATA models, including the Australian model (as demonstrated by Skillset Australia), and consulted with stakeholders including LSC, 3 GTA/ATA representatives, Skillset and DIUS. The prospectus was launched in April.
CFE supported the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) to set up a process to grant seed funding to establish new Group Training Associations (GTAs) or Apprenticeship Training Agencies (ATAs) for Apprentices in sectors where they are rare or absent.
The World Class Apprenticeships Review (January 2008) set out the Government’s plans to strengthen and expand Apprenticeships. One of the means identified to increase Apprenticeship employer engagement, particularly with SMEs, was to support the expansion of GTAs. They have a role similar to a training provider but are formed by a consortium of employers and are membership based. Their principal purpose is to create an infrastructure to support the placement of Apprentices and work closely with employers to provide training tailored to sector needs.
The two main elements of CFE project involvement were;
CFE worked closely with the LSC team during the project, who produced a prospectus for the potential applicants for the funding.