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Prospectus Q&A

What is the requirement for deployment across all regions?

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NSAs should have a national focus. It is not necessary to have a physical centre within each region as this will depend on the needs of your sector, but an NSA must be able to demonstrate how it will reach a national market. (Question raised at the workshop on 23 June)

Aside from the physical centres, what other channels are existing NSAs using to engage with the national audience?

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Other NSAs have used variety of channels to ensure that they can be accessed nationally (e.g. the web) with a stronger presence in regional hot spots for their sector. (Question raised at the workshop on 23 June)

Can the NSA’s network/reach be expanded over time?

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Yes, it makes good business sense focus development on those regions where your sector is most prevalent and then expand into other areas over the development period. The NSA’s expansion plan should be clear in the application, as well as the rationale behind it. (Question raised at the workshop on 23 June)

Is there any limit being set on the total number of successful NSA’s in this round?

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No, the number of successful NSA bids has not been limited for this round. The EoIs will be judged on how well they address an industry need with those making the most compelling case moving forward to the next stage. (Question raised at the workshop on 23 June)

Is there a limitation set on the amount of funding available?

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Whilst funding isn’t limited, it is not ‘endless’. The starting point is to ensure that all public funding sought for a proposal will be matched by contributions from employers in the sector. Beyond this, funding proposals will be tested to ensure that they represent reasonable value for money. (Question raised at the workshop on 23 June)

Previously all NSAs were linked to an SSC, does this condition still hold true?

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No, but NSAs will be expected to work with their SSC and not compete with them; this working relationship should also be covered within your proposal. (Question raised at the workshop on 23 June)

Is there a government commitment to have an NSA in each sector?

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Yes, the Government’s aim is to have at least one NSA in every major sector, resources permitting. (Question raised at the workshop on 23 June)

Are you expecting the NSA to cover something ‘completely new’?

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Not necessary. It is possible for an NSA to be a further development of an existing model. But if this is the case, your proposals should set out Why the existing model isn’t ‘good enough’, how the development into an NSA will change it to make it better, and how you will be able to measure the impact of the changes that you are proposing. Overall, proposals will be tested for the value they add to the sector compared to the status quo. The advantage building on an existing model is that it gives a more certain start; but the test is whether the additional investment and moving to become an NSA will use this to substantially increase the impact of that model. (Question raised at the workshop on 23 June)

Can you describe how previous round NSAs work together?

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They have formed a strategic network independent of the LSC and use it to share good practice, discuss and resolve overlaps, forge working relationships. The network is working very well and that all members are benefiting from their involvement. (Question raised at the workshop on 23 June)

What mechanism exists to stop NSAs being in competition with one another?

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The NSA network makes a conscious effort to ensure that this does not take place. It monitors itself and its members to ensure that the NSA network runs smoothly. (Question raised at the workshop on 23 June)

What is the difference between ‘NSAs’ and other ‘Academies’?

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Other ‘Academies’ did not go through this part of the process and so did not benefit from the support and guidance available to NSAs, can not use the brand, and do not have access to the same public investment. (Question raised at the workshop on 23 June)

Can you give any examples of learning and development activities that existing NSAs undertake?

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Learning and development activities provided by existing NSAs vary considerably with some developing and delivering bespoke training for employers and some offering web based learning. (Question raised at the workshop on 23 June)

Can NSAs be training providers themselves?

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An NSA should not be in competition with existing LSC funded providers. The exception to this will be where there is a definite gap in the market, in terms of coverage or quality; but the case for this will need to be made by the NSA. Generally, the expectation is that NSAs will work with existing providers to tackle such gaps - either through improving quality or facilitating development. (Question raised at the workshop on 23 June)

How do the LSC regions fit into the process?

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Regions will be playing a role in the EoI selection process; however they will be viewing each proposal nationally rather than regionally. Their perspective is valuable in reviewing proposals for their feasibility in working with the LSC’s regions. (Question raised at the workshop on 23 June)

What about RDAs?

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RDAs are not participating in the selection process directly, but are part of the overall governance arrangements for NSA policy. (Question raised at the workshop on 23 June)

What type of activities can count as ‘employer investment’?

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The range of activities can vary from in-kind support (access to high tech equipment), time given as part of the NSA Board, access to premises, etc. It is for the NSA to decide is if it is ‘enough’ and whether it will encourage others to get involved. (Question raised at the workshop on 23 June)

How did the SSC separate the NSA from its ‘day to day activities’?

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The NSA is a wholly owned subsidiary which is in line with the LSC’s requirements. (Question put to John Holton, Cogent SSC, at the workshop on 23 June)

What did employers think that they were getting for their ‘pledge’?

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Employers were interested in getting involved, supporting the focus of the NSA as being industry-specific, and liked the concept of being part of the NSA. (Question put to John Holton, Cogent SSC, at the workshop on 23 June)

Could you please clarify if the NSA’s remit includes the devolved nations?

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The LSC can support the development of NSA infrastructure and delivery in England only but of course NSAs will want to reach out to all nations to reflect sector need.Existing NSAs are already developing / in discussion re their offer in this respect.The NSA branding may also be fully utilised so as to have a full UK branding solution for employers.Plans for NSAs should therefore include activity in the devolved nations where relevant but funding via the LSC will not be available to develop and establish NSA sites outside of England.

What is the definition of the ‘key learner groups’ that are required on page 7 Annex: Learner Projections?

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The ‘key learner groups’ refers to projected learner volumes delivered through programmes such as Train to Gain, Apprenticeship etc. A break down of 14-19, 19+ and the % of publicly funded is required for each.

As an NSA, will I be required to work with all other training providers in the sector?

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As well as co-ordinating, developing and delivering provision, NSAs will be leaders of specialist provider networks. As an NSA, you will improve the quality of training in your sector and develop strategies for sharing and developing best practice—we do not expect NSA to compete with existing learning providers.

Will NSAs focussing on young people be more favourable with government?

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No. NSA proposals will have to clearly state what the ‘problem’ is within the sector and how the NSA will ‘fix’ this. This may mean that in some sectors there is a greater need to engage and train young people and this may be a priority for the NSA. NSAs will need to focus on priorities for their sector while recognising that their aim is to meet the needs ofall groups, whether already in the sector or wanting to enter it.

Can my NSA be based at my employer site?

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All NSAs must be legal entities in their own right so you will need to decide what type of legal organisation it will be. Depending on the model developed for your NSA, it may need a central hub and any proposal would need to demonstrate the benefits to the rest of the sector should that hub be based on an employer site. NSAs must have access for all.

The sector I am in is very broad but I wish only to look at one smaller sub-sector within that—is that acceptable for NSA proposals?

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It is for you to convince the panels. Your proposal will need to be clear in its ambitions and rationale for identifying the need—more importantly, you will need to demonstrate support from employers whether for a wide or more narrow sector approach.

We are a college, can we apply to be an NSA?

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NSAs are employer-led so we would expect any application to have employer leadership in developing the Expression of Interest itself as well as support from employers in the sector both financially and in terms of supporting what the NSA will do. Colleges will form part of the specialist networks that NSAs will develop and so are an important element of any NSA model.

How long will it take to become an NSA?

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Each NSA model is different and will require its own timescale for developing and launching. Normally, business planning takes around 6-9 months and the assessment stage 2-3 months.

What happens if we don’t get approval? Can I still develop an NSA without LSC support?

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‘National Skills Academy’ is a brand name owned by the LSC, so you will not be able to use it if your project is not approved through the formal routes.

How much employer investment is expected?

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This will depend on the model you develop. There is no set figure, but government usually starts by looking at a matched funding proposal as a minimum, ie what you request from government is matched by employers and other stakeholders.

As an NSA, will I be able to secure training contracts with the LSC?

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NSAs are not expected to become training providers in their own right for delivery of publicly funded provisions such as Apprenticeships. Delivery of this and other public provisions will be through existing, approved provider networks, so you will need to develop strong provider engagement strategies. Full cost provision that is not funded by the public purse may be delivered directly by the NSA or other providers.

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