Guide to the higher technical education provider growth fund
Updated 6 November 2024
Applies to England
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Introduction
We launched the Higher Technical Education Provider Growth Fund (‘the fund’) in 2021 with a total budget of £18 million (£12m capital and £6m resource) available to eligible providers.
The fund closed for applications on Friday 9 July 2021.
The fund’s aim was to help providers expand high-quality provision and enhance the reputation of Higher Technical Qualifications among learners and employers. It has delivered significant benefits to both providers and learners, supporting them to strengthen technical skills and training.
Clawback update
In accordance with the terms of funding agreements, all providers are subject to clawback in the following situations:
- if funds that have been misspent (namely not in accordance with grant agreements) or not spent by March 2022
- where a provider decides not to deliver an approved Higher Technical Qualification in digital, construction and the built environment, or in health and science
- if the provider fails to reach 80% of their predicted learner numbers. We will claw back the difference between their actual number and 80%. For example, if they had 70% of predicted learner numbers, we would claw back 10% of funds
These measures are in place to ensure that funds are used in compliance with the agreed-upon objectives, performance targets and reporting requirements. If providers offer more than one Higher Technical Qualification, the clawback clauses will be applicable to each course associated with the respective routes offered.
Since the funds have been allocated, we have been monitoring the spend throughout the grant period.
Those providers in recipient of funding whose delivery has ended (including the opportunity for a re-run year) will be subject to clawback measures as per the current terms. The department will begin recovering performance related spent funds in the financial year 2024 to 2025 where learner numbers have not been met. This includes all fund year 1 (and re-run) providers and year 2 providers who did not wish to take up the re-run year for the accounting year 2024 to 2025.
We encourage all providers to carefully review their contractual obligations and to maintain accurate and timely records. This will help to confirm the final position before we begin any recovery actions.
We will write directly to individual providers confirming their recovery position and timelines for those impacted in the financial year 2024 to 2025.
Contact
If you have any questions or need more information, email [email protected].