East of England

ESF 2011-2013

Main priorities and issues

The East of England Regional Framework is closely aligned with the broader economic strategy for the region, with focuses on two main goals: skills for productivity and economic participation. The first of these is particularly concerned with increasing the higher-level skills base, as well as encouraging a wider culture of continual learning and progression.

Economic participation priorities include both employment and entrepreneurship, and are particularly targeted on the poorest 20% of communities as well as areas with low economic participation.

Active involvement of the voluntary sector is encouraged in the ESF framework, which includes specific funding for community grants.

Under Priority 1 the framework focuses in particular on removing barriers to participation and developing employability amongst both adults and young people. The region sees a need to retain a higher proportion of graduates, and the framework expects provision to link graduates with local job opportunities.

Demand-side measures are also foreseen, with increased redundancy support, more integration of employment with skills needs, and attempts to influence employers' recruitment practice.

Disadvantaged people are targeted through Priority 1, with a particular focus on:

• disabled people and people with health conditions
• ethnic minorities
• women
• older adults (aged 50+)
• lone parents
• offenders and ex-offenders
• young people and NEETs
• migrant workers.

2.5% of Priority 1 will also be allocated to ESF community grants.

Under Priority 2, the ESF framework concentrates on skills development and demand from both employees and employers, focused on identified sectors with significant growth opportunities. Improving access to higher education is an important feature, along with greater progression and management development in SMEs.

The framework identifies a number of important sectors. 'Traditional' industries remain vital to the regional economy, with particular mention of construction and the built environment, retail, logistics, health and social care, hospitality, manufacturing and engineering, and land-based industries.

Newer sectors also feature in the framework, including digital and broadband technologies, advanced manufacturing, professional and financial services, creative industries, and life sciences.

Greater focus is given to the green economy, which in the Framework is set in the context of the 'Greater South East', with plans and strategy coordinated with London and the South East and an opportunity for ESF to work across the three regions. Employment opportunities arising from low carbon transition steps are expected to become important for the region, with particular mention for energy efficiency and building technologies, renewable energy and waste management.

The Olympic Games are seen in the framework as a key opportunity for the East of England to build upon successful earlier ESF provision to support future skills and employment needs of the 2012 Games. Project management (particularly construction), event management, translation, customer service, leadership and management, and entrepreneurial skills are all identified.

Funding allocations for 2011-2013

	Total	Priority 1	Priority 2
2007-2010	£95.6m	£58.9m	£36.7m
2011-2013	£91.4m	£54.8m	£36.6m

CFOs

• Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
• Skills Funding Agency
• National Offender Management Service (NOMS)
• East of England Development Agency (EEDA)
• Central Bedfordshire Council (incorporating Bedford Borough Council)
• Luton Borough Council

Projects featured on ESF-Works relevant to the above priorities

• Inspiring Women's Enterprise
• Young Entrepreneurs
• Race2Discover (Luton Training and Mentoring)
• Beyond 2010

Links

England European Social Fund 2007-2013: East of England Framework