North East ESF programme

Activities funded by the ESF programme must be focused on the Regional Employability Framework (REF) which provides a coordinated approach to the delivery of employability and skills support. The North East ESF Programme comprises 2 main strands or ‘priorities’, each providing funding for different types of activities, as follows. Don't forget VONNE is offering a free package of support and advice in applying for this funding.

 

Priority 1: Extending Employment Opportunities (£79m)

Aim
 To increase employment; reduce unemployment/economic inactivity; and reduce the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).

Target Groups
 People who are unemployed or inactive; women; people with disabilities or health conditions; lone parents; people aged over 50; ex-offenders; and people from ethnic minorities.

Particular emphasis is placed on young people who are ‘NEET’, with £18m of ESF funding targeted on this group in the period 2010 to 2013.

Eligible Activities
The following types of activity are eligible for ESF funding under Priority 1*:

  • Individual needs assessments and action planning
  • Removing barriers to learning e.g. childcare, transport etc.
  • Work experience and volunteer placements
  • Job search, advice and guidance
  • Skills for Life and vocational training
  • Activities to promote enterprising behaviour
  • Activities to facilitate the retention of target groups in employment


Not in education, employment or training (NEET)

Activities designed specifically to support young ‘NEET’ people into employment, education or training are also eligible, including joint working between schools and other agencies to identify people at risk of becoming NEET and measures to prevent them becoming NEET.

Community Grants

Small grants of up to £12,000 are available for voluntary and community organisations to build their capacity to provide employability support to unemployed and inactive individuals.

 

Priority 2: Developing a Skilled and Adaptable Workforce (£41m)

Aim
 To develop the skills of those who are in work (including those who have gained work having received support under Priority 1 of the ESF programme).

Target Groups
 Employees with the greatest need for support in order to pursue their first qualification at level 2 or above e.g. people on low incomes; those with low level English spoken and / or written skills; those for whom English is not their first language; and those with learning difficulties.

Eligible Activity
The following provides examples of the types of activity eligible for ESF under Priority 2*:

NVQ Level 2

  • Training leading to the achievement of learners’ first level 2 qualification
  • Second’ level 2 training for workers whose first level 2 qualification is obsolete or occupationally irrelevant
  • activities to support access to, and provision of, Apprenticeships
  • Training for volunteers on vocational pathways to employment
  • Training to update skills and qualifications
  • Training and support for people in occupations in which their gender is under-represented
  • Assessment/accreditation of the skills of migrant workers where their qualifications are not recognised in the UK
  • Training for those preparing for self-employment
  • Addressing skills shortages (e.g. through training and mentoring) and the under-representation of particular groups within sectors/occupations

NVQ Level 3*

  • Level 3 learning for those at risk of redundancy and level 3 training linked to the skills needs of ‘small-medium enterprises’ (SMEs) with fewer than 250 employees, especially skills needs arising from growth sectors and those linked to the ‘New Industry, New Jobs Agenda’ (NINJA)
  • Training for care workers whose role helps tackle the barriers to training/employment faced by ESF target groups

NVQ Level 4*

  • Activities to facilitate flexible, tailored provision that overcomes barriers to participation
  • Information, advice and guidance to facilitate skills development decisions
  • Level 4 taster courses
  • Activities to prepare target groups for Higher Education (HE) provision
  • Level 4 training for trainers
  • Leadership, management and enterprise learning in growth sectors, rural areas and the voluntary and community sector


Projects under both Priorities must contribute to the promotion of the ESF programme’s ‘cross-cutting themes’ i.e.

  • Equal opportunities
  • Sustainable development

They must also set targets for the achievement of standard ESF outputs, which can be selected from a menu of ESF outputs.

[*] This list provides examples of eligible activities but is not exhaustive