§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment by what date proposals for the provision of work-based training from 1 April 2001 must be submitted to the Employment Service; and by what date existing providers will be notified of the required content for such proposals and the funding arrangements for such provision. [132829]
§ Ms Jowell[holding answer 27 July 2000]: The formal tendering process for delivery of work-based learning for adults from April 2001 will start in all Employment Service regions by November 2000. As part of this process potential providers will be given all the necessary details about our requirements and the funding arrangements. We know from experience that this timetable will allow sufficient time for the Employment Service and providers to ensure that appropriate provision is in place at the right time.
The arrangements we put in place will be the culmination of a great deal of work with existing providers. We have, for example, issued two technical consultation documents about the funding arrangements, which were supported by a series of conferences. This level of consultation will help ensure that the tendering process runs smoothly.