Download outcome of round 2

Jobs First Employment Projects 2015-16
Funding Round 2
Frequently asked questions
Jobs First Employment Projects Frequently asked questions – 15 September 2015
www.skills.sa.gov.au
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KEY CHANGES FOR FUNDING ROUND 2
What are the key changes to the Jobs First Employment Project Guidelines from Round
1?
The changes to Jobs First Employment Projects for Round 2 are:
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Applications will be assessed as they are received, rather than at the closing date. For further
information, see the FAQ below “How will applications be assessed?”
The cohorts of jobseekers considered as a priority for Round 2 are young people, Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people, mature age and people with disability
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The participant eligibility age has increased to 17 years
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Applications may seek funding for nationally recognised training including skill clusters, skill sets or full
qualifications. Each have limitations or additional criteria which are outlined in the Guidelines.
Participants undertaking full qualifications who have additional support needs, should access this support
through Learner Support Services (LSS), rather than through JFEP funded case management.
Information has been included about how to find Learner Support Services providers.
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A new model for calculating the project management fee has been introduced. It now involves an hourly
charge, where the expenses involved in management of the project are reflected as a proposed number
of chargeable hours at an hourly rate. These costs will be assessed for value for money based on the
complexity and duration of a project.
Language, literacy and numeracy units of competency or accredited modules, and bridging units
(including foundations skills bridging units), will not be funded.
PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
Do I have to include training in my project proposal?
No. The primary objective of Jobs First Employment Projects is to deliver tailored projects that assist employers to
access appropriately skilled job seekers, and to assist job seekers to access work in their local community.
Tailored projects can include some training (i.e. nationally recognised units of competency or non-accredited
training) in order to meet this objective. Employers’ and job seekers’ needs vary. Projects may therefore only
need project components, such as structured mentoring, to meet these needs.
Can I work with more than one employer?
Yes. Jobs First Employment Projects will look favourably on submissions that are designed to meet the
employment needs of more than one employer.
PARTICIPANTS
When is someone recognised as a participant in a Jobs First Employment Project?
Participant details will be entered into a system by the contracted Service Provider. Participants will be
considered ‘registered’ upon submission and subsequent validation by the Department.
Information will be sent to successful applicants for Jobs First Employment Projects about registration
mechanisms and reporting.
Jobs First Employment Projects Frequently asked questions – 9 February 2016
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Can I change participants during the project?
Yes, participants that withdraw during a project can be replaced. However, we will not provide additional funding
for the project as a result of a change in participant numbers.
Providers will be required to submit information on participants and their outcomes, including participants that
withdraw. Reporting requirements will be specified in the contract.
OUTCOMES & REPORTING
What’s an employment outcome? How will it be counted?
The definition of an employment outcome for Jobs First Employment Projects Round 1 is the same definition used
for the Regional Employment Fund and Strategic Employment Fund. There will also be no changes in the way
that employment outcomes are counted, for example on exit from the project.
We may seek to independently verify project outcomes by following up with participants after project completion.
An employment outcome is achieved when:
 a person who is unemployed or not in the labour force at the commencement (of the project), gains paid
work (at least one hour or more), or
 an underemployed person increases their hours of work.
An underemployed person is a job seeker who is in the labour force (working 17 hours or less per week), but
wants to work more hours.
Can self-employment be an employment outcome for a project?
Yes, self-employment can be considered an outcome. Projects for proposed self-employed participants will only
be considered where there is an employer commitment to contract the self-employed participant for work.
How will I be expected to report on my outcomes?
If your application for Jobs First Employment Projects is successful, you will be offered a funding agreement to
enable projects to commence promptly. Reporting requirements will be specified in the funding agreement.
Information on employment outcomes as well as other outcomes (such as transition to further study) is required to
be reported.
If participants don’t get employment outcomes what happens?
The primary objective of Jobs First Employment Projects is to deliver tailored projects that assist employers to
access appropriately skilled and work ready job seekers, and to assist job seekers to access work in their local
community.
It is acknowledged that not all participants will secure employment by the conclusion of the project. Participants
that do not secure an employment outcome should be assisted to transition to the next step that will achieve
employment.
Reporting on outcomes (such as further study) achieved by participants, who do not secure an employment
outcome, will be reported to us at the conclusion of the project.
Past performance including compliance, quality delivery and employment outcomes are all criteria used to assess
provider applications for Jobs First Employment Projects. Failure to meet outcomes may have an adverse impact
on subsequent applications for funding through Jobs First.
Jobs First Employment Projects Frequently asked questions – 9 February 2016
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What will trigger payment?
In the case of nationally recognised training, payment will be made on submission of AVETMISS activity.
Project components other than nationally recognised training shall be paid based on the hourly rate and the
number of hours delivered over a specified reporting period as determined by the funding agreement.
A commencement payment based on a percentage of the project management fee shall be paid to the provider at
the start of the project. Typically, the remainder of the project management fee will be paid at the conclusion of
the project and may be adjusted to reflect the proportion of the project actually delivered.
The terms of these payments and the conditions on which they will be paid will be fully outlined in the funding
agreement.
OUTCOME OF ROUND 2
How will applications be assessed?
Unlike Round 1, which assessed all applications after the closing date, Round 2 applications will be considered as
they are received, up until the closing date, or until the budget is allocated, whichever date is sooner. This means
applications should be assessed more quickly and successful projects can commence as soon as they are
approved.
Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, to maximise the likelihood that funding is available.
Priority will be given to projects that can be completed by 30 June 2016.
If my application isn’t successful how do I get feedback?
Applicants are advised to contact the Skills and Employment Infoline on 1800 506 266 to arrange an appointment
with senior officers involved in the assessment process.
Jobs First Employment Projects Frequently asked questions – 9 February 2016
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