ESF

Merseyside Skillworks call for sub-contractors


Please see the E Tendering Portal at https://lsc.bravosolution.com for our current call to tender for ESF provision.

The LSC is currently working alongside colleagues in the Northwest on the development of the new ESF programme.

In financial terms the new programme is only half of the current programme. However, in the Northwest with Merseyside, as a former objective 1 area, designated as a ‘Phasing In’ area the reduction in the Northwest is far less significant. In addition the decisions to route a greater proportion of funding through Co-finance organisations mean that the budgets managed by the LSC in the Northwest are likely to be very similar to those achieved in the current programme.

The new programme has a much greater focus on employment and skills and our joint work with Jobcentre Plus the other major Co-Finance organisation will be a vital. The region has three City Employment Strategy pilots which cover the whole of Greater Manchester and Merseyside together with Blackburn with Darwen. Aligning ESF funded activity with the priorities identified in the pilots will be a key ingredient for success as will be the effective engagement of key stakeholders including the voluntary and community sector.

Following the consultation exercise which ended in August 2007 the LSC has revised the draft ESF Co-finance Plan for the North West.

This plan has now been considered by the ESF Regional Committee for the North West and was endorsed for approval by DWP ESF division on 29 November 2007.