FOI - Skills Bootcamps Delivery [Aug 2023]

Our response

To provide context behind the response below, we provide this summary of commissioning.

• Wave 3 – Skills Bootcamps Delivery 2022-23

Initial commissioning was via a Direct Award approach, where existing training providers already receiving GLA funding to deliver sector skills focused skills training aligned to the Bootcamps priority sectors were invited to submit bids. The result of this initial round resulted in £7,780,104.40 allocated to successful bidders.

Following this initial commissioning, the GLA launched an open grant funding award process, Open Competition on the GLA website.

The result of this round was £10,548,185.63 GLA funding allocated to successful bidders. 

Please see here for the Wave 3 Mayoral Decision.

Total allocation for Wave 3 was £18,102,365.03. 

• Wave 4 – Skills Bootcamps Delivery 2023-24

For Wave 4, training providers already delivering Skills Bootcamps for Londoners were offered a funding allocation range based on their Wave 3 performance, and were offered the option of delivering their existing bootcamps for Wave 4. Process to allocate funding was in line with Public Contracts Regulation 2015, and subject to submitting several key documents to help undertake assessment of their deliverability.  

The allocation range along with the Wave 3 funding to each provider is set out in this Mayoral Decision.

Total allocation for Wave 4 £16,246,935.56.  

Please see our replies to each question, in turn, below:

1. What is the total funding amount awarded to GLA by the DfE or any other authority for 'Skills Bootcamp' training in Wave 3 or up until the financial year ending on 31 March 2023? 

£18.9m. 

2. What is the total funding amount awarded to GLA by the DfE or any other authority for 'Skills Bootcamp' training in Wave 4 or up until the financial year ending on 31 March 2024?

£19m.

3. What is the total funding amount awarded to GLA under the 'Digital' category by the DfE or any other authority for 'Skills Bootcamp' training in Wave 4 or up until the financial year ending on 31 March 2024?

The DfE Funding Agreement does not specify sector breakdowns within the funding amount. 

4. What is the total number of learners who have participated in 'Skills Bootcamp' training programs funded by GLA in Wave 3 or up until the financial year ending on 31 March 2023? 

3,365 learner starts for Wave 3 correct at our most recent reporting period 31 July 2023. Please note this is in-year data and subject to change. 

5. What is the total number of learners who have achieved milestone 3 in 'Skills Bootcamp' training programs funded by GLA in Wave 3 or up until the financial year ending on 31 March 2023?

As at our most recent reporting period 31 July 2023, 574 Milestone 3s had been claimed by providers for Wave 3, for bootcamps that completed by 31 March 2023. Please note this is in-year data and subject to change.

6. What is the total number of learners who have participated in 'Skills Bootcamp' training programs funded by GLA in Wave 4 or up until the financial year ending on 31 March 2024?

As at our most recent reporting period, 31 July 2023, there are 1,665 learners starts on Wave 4 bootcamp training programmes.

7. How many training providers are on the Skills Bootcamp procurement list for Skills Bootcamps at the moment?

GLA does not hold a procured list of training providers. The GLA has issued grant agreements to 32 training providers to deliver bootcamps under Wave 4.

8. How many training providers are on the Skills Bootcamp procurement list for Digital Skills Bootcamps at the moment?

GLA does not hold a procured list of training providers. The GLA has issued grant agreements to 13 training providers to deliver digital skills bootcamps under Wave 4.

9. Could you please provide the final pricing details, including the cost per learner or any associated fees, of the training providers who were selected as successful bidders for the Skills Bootcamp programs funded by GLA in the most recent procurement round?

For the most recent Skills Bootcamps for Londoners programme (Wave 4) the sum of £16,246,888.99 funding was allocated to delivery providers at an average cost per leaner of £3,163.95. 

10. Could you please provide the number of training providers or organisations that submitted responses for the Skills Bootcamp programs in the most recent procurement round conducted by GLA?

32 training providers submitted allocation request responses for Wave 4. 

11. Can you please provide the names of all training providers or organisations that submitted responses for the Skills Bootcamp programs in the most recent procurement round conducted by GLA?

Please see Mayoral Decision 3088.

12. Could you please provide the ranking information, including the top 5 ranked bidders, for all training providers or organisations that submitted responses for the Skills Bootcamp programs in the most recent procurement round conducted by GLA?

Section 43(2) has been applied which exempts information whose disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any legal person (an individual, a company, the public authority itself or any other legal entity).  

Please see Mayoral Decision 3088 for the list of providers.

13. How many training providers have submitted 'direct applications' to GLA so far to deliver Skills Bootcamps?

During the Wave 3 commissioning process 51 training providers submitted applications to the GLA.

For Wave 4 commissioning, we have only requested applications from 32 training providers who were successfully delivering Wave 3. 

14. How many training providers have submitted 'direct applications' to GLA for delivering skills bootcamps within the 'Digital' category?

During the Wave 3 commissioning process, 28 training providers submitted applications to deliver skills Bootcamps in the Digital sector. 

During the Wave 4 commissioning process 13 training providers submitted applications to deliver skills Bootcamps in the Digital sector.  

15. Could you please let us know when the next call-off or tender is anticipated, and what is the allocated budget for this upcoming tender for Skills Bootcamps? 

The GLA is in the process of applying to the Department for Education for Funding to deliver Skills Bootcamps in Wave 5 2024-25.  Therefore, we are not in a position to anticipate timescales nor budgets before DfE receive and evaluate our funding request.

16. Can you provide information on any collaborations or partnerships that GLA has established with employers, industry associations, or educational institutions to enhance the effectiveness of Skills Bootcamp programs?

A number of collaborations and partnerships have established with key stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of the Skills Bootcamps for Londoners programme. This has been achieved through or several related skills programmes and high-level boards:

• Mayor’s Skills Academies 
• Jobs and Skills Business Partnership
• Skills for Londoners Board
• Higher Level Skills Advisory Group 

More information is available on the GLA website.

17. Are there any specific eligibility criteria or preferences for training providers when selecting recipients for Skills Bootcamp funding? 

Please see attachment 11 'Skills Bootcamps Prospectus (London)' and 12 'Skills Bootcamps Application Guidance'.

18. How does GLA handle the allocation of funding for different types of Skills Bootcamp programs? Are there any specific priorities or considerations in this allocation process?

For Wave 3, the GLA followed its published prospectus and specifications to allocate funding (please see attachment 11 Skills Bootcamps Prospectus (London) and 12 Skills Bootcamps Application Guidance).

For Wave 4, the GLA allocated funding based on providers who successfully delivered in Wave 3. Please see Mayoral Decision 3088 for the list of providers.

19. Are there any plans or initiatives in place to expand the scope or reach of Skills Bootcamp programs funded by GLA in the coming years?

The GLA is currently working on options within our funding application to DfE for further funding under Wave 5. This remains subject to the GLA securing further funding.

There will also be a further process to identify and allocate any Wave 4 unallocated funding.

20. Could you provide a breakdown of the courses awarded under DfE Skills Bootcamp funding for Wave 3?

• Information on Skills for Londoners Bootcamps programme is currently available on our website.
• You may also wish to view the total courses currently funded by the DfE in England.

21. Could you provide a breakdown of the courses awarded under DfE Skills Bootcamp funding for Wave 4?

Please see response to Question 20 above.

Information on Skills for Londoners Bootcamps being delivered in Wave 4 is available on our website.

22. Could you provide a breakdown of how much funding was allocated to each course under DfE Skills Bootcamps funded in Wave 3?

Section 43(2) has been applied which exempts information whose disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any legal person (an individual, a company, the public authority itself or any other legal entity).  

23. Could you provide a breakdown of how much funding was allocated to each course under DfE Skills Bootcamps funded in Wave 4?

Section 43(2) has been applied which exempts information whose disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any legal person (an individual, a company, the public authority itself or any other legal entity).  

If you have any further questions relating to this matter, please contact us, quoting reference MGLA310823-5424.