The Online Data Collection (OLDC) system will be going offline from 6pm on 06 December in order for the processing of R04 ILR files. OLDC will be back online on Monday 12 December.

The Data Service would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Having spoken to colleagues in the Data Service, there are a few things which you might like to be aware of regarding R04 submissions.

Contracting organisation codes

Some providers may be experiencing problems returning ILR data to the Data Service due to the Contracting organisation code being returned not matching with the code held in the Skills Funding Agency’s contracting system. This is a result of the restructure within the Skills Funding Agency in October 2011, with the contracting region for some providers being moved, e.g. Staffordshire is now managed by the North West Region, rather than the West Midlands.

For 2011/12, learning providers should continue to code their ILR data using the Contracting organisation code that applied as at 01 August 2011 – keeping with the example above, a provider in Staffordshire would need to continue to use the code SFWM for all their 2011/12 returns.

Transmission numbers

A reminder that transmission numbers now apply to the whole year and so should not revert to 0001 for each period.

Reference dates for R04

Some providers have queried the use of reference dates, now that there is a single adult skills budget that covers both LR and ER provision. Here is the wording for a couple of FAQs that will be published on our corporate site shortly:

Why do only some returns have reference dates?

Reference dates are used to specify the timeliness of data for provision delivered using the learner responsive funding model.  Where a return has a return date then data for provision funded through the learning responsive funding model must at the return date be complete and accurate up to and including the reference date.  The timeliness of data funded through the employer responsive funding model is specified differently.  It is described in section 7.2 of the ILR 2011/12 Provider Support Manual.

Why does the R06 return not have a reference date?

The timing of R06 is driven to meet the needs of the Skills Funding Agency and YPLA allocations process.  For this reason it is important for providers to return data at R06 which is as complete and accurate as possible.

I hope that’s useful.

Paul

Hello!

It has been quite eventful recently. Sorry about the feconnect alerts – it should be resolved now but do drop us a line if they stop working. 

You will be seeing a new face on the forums – welcome to Greta who has joined us as Community Facilitator to replace Anna Nathwani.

Just a quick reminder that the Data Service will process all ILR files for R04 received before 6pm on 06 December. However it is advised that providers should try and send their ILR files early so that if any errors are generated, the Data Service has sufficient time to assist you with rectifying these and ensuring your file is then processed error free.

The Employer Responsive Group meets on 08 December – those of you on the group can look forward to an update on Ofsted’s data use and BIS colleagues will be discussing prior attainment.

As you are aware, the changes to the funding system have been postponed to 2013/14. Therefore there are only a few late changes that have been raised.  These are mostly minor changes which will be dealt with as part of the annual housekeeping of the ILR.

We have shared details of the changes that will be made to the collection of employment status data for 2012/13 on feconnect.  Those that haven’t already, please have a look and let us know of any concerns or issues that may arise. You can write to us separately on cst@theia.org.uk if you prefer.

Version 1 of the 2012/13 ILR Specification will be published in the week commencing 05 December 2011. The reason for the delay to the published date is to enable the sector to respond to the proposed changes to employment status data as above.

Finally, we will be starting our ‘Festive Tips’ from 06 December. Take a moment during your working day to have a look. Of course the full list will also be available on the website for you to review at your leisure.

Selvy

Good Afternoon Folks

The Learner Information Suite (LIS) V19.01 Maintenance Release 2 (19.01.65) has been published and this is now available to download from the Data Service website. Users are asked to read the LIS V19.01 release guide and the known issues document V.19 before using the LIS V19.01 Maintenance Release 2 (19.01.65), which outlines the functionality available, known limitations and any key known bugs/defects.

Working with the information authority, the Data Service has produced a ‘How to’guide to sending ILR data for 2011/12. This guide has been produced in response to the issues raised by providers with both the Data Service and the information authority in understanding how to use the data collection systems and how to send data for 2011/12. This guide is available to download from both the information authority and the Data Service websites. 

A quick reminder: The Data Service will process all ILR files for R04 received before 6pm on 06 December, however it is advised that providers should try and send their ILR files early so that if any errors are generated, we have sufficient time to assist you with rectifying these and ensuring your file is then processed error free.

Have a good evening.

Fazia

Following the recent news item, due to a technical glitch, the Learner Information Suite V19.01 Maintenance Release 2 (V19.01.61) was taken offline on Friday 18 November. 

The Data Service is currently working to rectify the error, which focuses on a ‘query’ that the Funding Claim report uses. The Data Service would like to assure providers that:

• this will not affect what providers will be paid
• this will fix the known issues for Apprenticeships and Large Employers in OLDC and payments
• the current LIS V19.01 is adequate for the R04 ILR return due on 06 December 2011.

We hope to have an updated version of the Learner Information Suite V19.01 Maintenance Release 2 published later this week. Once again we would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused.

The Provider Data Self-assessment Toolkit (PDSAT) for funding year 2011/12 – Series 12 (Phase 1) has been published on the Data Service website. Further details on this release and the known issue are also available on the Data Service website. For any queries on PDSAT please email: DSATHelpDesk@kpmg.co.uk.

Due to a technical glitch, the Learner Information Suite V19.01 Maintenance Release 2 (V19.01.61) has been taken offline today. The Data Service would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused and is aiming to release an amended version later in the day.

Morning Folks

As we are fast approaching the end of year final ILR return deadline for 2010/11 as well as the first 2011/12 ILR return for which  all providers (including colleges) need to send data for ALL of their learners we would like to remind providers:

• the deadline for the 2010/11 final Learner Responsive ILR return (LR05) is 21 November 2011.This date is also a ‘hard close’, so no further returns will be accepted after 6.00pm on 21 November 2011
• the 2011/12 R04 ILR return is due in on 06 December 2011, the Data Service would like to advise providers to get their R04 ILR return in as early as possible to ensure that it is validated and processed in time. Further details can be found on the Data Service website.

The Data Service has also published the LIS V19.01 Maintenance Release 2 (19.01.61). Details of changes to this release and how to download the LIS V19.01 Maintenance Release 2 (19.01.61) can be found on the Data Service website.

The Data Service is also planning to release a second maintenance release for OLDC towards the end of next week. Further details on this will be published on the Data Service website in due course.

Enjoy your weekend.

Fazia

The Data Service is experiencing a number of providers attempting to submit files for the R03 return with transmission number 0001. 

We would like to remind providers that the single ILR is an all year collection so one series of transmission numbers applies for the whole data year, therefore providers must increment the transmission number from the last file that is sent, otherwise the transmission will be rejected. 

 When using the Learner Information Suite (LIS) the transmission number must be set on the Export page otherwise you will output a file with transmission number 0001.

Good Morning Folks

2010/11 coming to a close:

The deadline for the final 2010/11 Employer Responsive ILR return (ER13) is 11 November 2011 and the deadline for the final Learner Responsive ILR return (LR05) is 21 November 2011. These dates are  a ‘hard close’, so no further returns will be accepted after 6.00pm on the stated dates.

2011/12 – the way forward!

Providers are reminded that the  return date for the 2011/12 R03 ILR return is fast approaching and must submit their ILR file by 6.00pm on 04 November 2011. The R03 is the first return for 2011/12 that the Skills Funding Agency will be paying on actuals.

The Online Data Collections (OLDC)  maintenance release went live on 26 October, details of enhanced functionality are available from the Data Service website.   Provider Funding Reports (PFRs) for 2010/11 and 2011/12 are now available to request through the appropriate link in OLDC.

The Learner Information Suite (LIS)v19.01 maintenance release also went live on 20 September. It is important that ALL providers start to use the new data collection systems for 2011/12 as soon as possible to enable you to resolve any problems with the data collection systems and to ensure that your ILR files are error free in good time before the return dates for R03 (04 November)  and R04 (06 December).

Providers are also reminded that when transmitting ILR data for 2011/12, they should take care to ensure that the transmission type of the file (either A or B) is correct. The information authority has published guidance on A and B file transmission which can be found on page 12 and 13 of the 2011/12 ILR Specification. Frequently asked questions on file transmission for 2011/12 have also been published that are also available on the information authority website.

Finally, for 2011/12, those learning providers who have had learners transfer to them from a sub contractor due to changes in the Minimum Contract Level will need to use the 2011/12 Learner Reference Number change process to inform the Data Service of the Learner Reference Numbers for such learners that have been transferred to you, regardless of whether the Learner Reference Number for these learners has changed. The deadline for informing the Data Service was 12 October 2011 and a number of providers have yet to do this, therefore a reminder email will  be sent out this week to those providers who have not yet informed the Data Service .

Have a good week!

The Data Service released the 2011/12 Online Data Collection system on 27 September.  As part of this release, the option to request a Provider Funding Report (PFR) has been disabled. This means if you have requested a PFR, it will not be generated.

Provider Funding Reports for 2011/12 will be made available in November 2011. The Data Service would like to apologise for any inconvenience.

 If you have any queries please call the Service Desk on 0870 2670001 or email servicedesk@thedataservice.org.uk