Purpose

IEDN report seeks approval for Employer Led Construction Academies Project Case.

Decision

(1)   The Skills Innovation Challenge Fund (SICF) Employer-Led Construction Academies Project Case and the allocation of up to £5 million of SICF funding to support delivery of the programme between 2026 and 2029 be approved.

(2)   The progression of the programme to delivery through a competitive grant funding process to establish up to five Employer-Led Construction Academies across the West Midlands, designed to address construction skills shortages through employer-led, vacancy-linked training and employment pathways be approved.

(3)   The programme subject to the recommendations and conditions arising from the WMCA Single Assurance Framework (SAF) Assurance and Appraisal process be approved.

(4)   That the Project Case has been reviewed through the WMCA Single Assurance Framework, which awarded an overall maturity score of 61% (Amber). The review concluded that successful delivery is feasible, subject to management of identified risks and implementation of the recommendations set out within the Assurance Observations Report be noted. The Project Case has subsequently been strengthened through completion of a quantified economic appraisal demonstrating strong value for money, alongside enhancements to strategic alignment, benefits realisation and monitoring arrangements.