Frequently asked questions 16 Jan 2026
Do the 60 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) all have to be face-to-face?
- No, delivery of the Guided Learning Hours can be a mix of face-to-face, online or blended.
What happens if learners don’t achieve the milestones in the given timeframes?
- You only get paid on the milestones achieved.
e.g. if an unemployed learner completes training, has an interview, but does not receive a job offer, you only get paid for milestones 1 and 2, not milestone 3.
Can the interviews be mock interviews?
- No, the interviews need to be genuine interviews for actual vacancies relating to employment for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks.
Can providers do second-tier sub-contracting?
- Department for Education terms and conditions state third party subcontracting is prohibited but, in some circumstances, would accept assurances from the Local Authority - this would involve extensive and additional quality assurance. Staffordshire County Council’s (the Council) decision is to prohibit whole programme second-tier subcontracting as set out in the Specification.
Can providers work in partnership with other organisations to deliver specialist elements?
- The Council’s definition of partnership delivery would be a guest speaker delivering a specialist element of the course for a short period of time; this could be unpaid or paid by the provider. Whole programme second-tier sub-contracting is prohibited.
For employed learners, is the milestone 2 evidence based on their progression within their role?
- For employed learners:
- Milestone 1: at least 10 GLH over a minimum of 14 days and completed initial assessment
- Milestone 2: an offer of an interview for a new role/responsibility within the current organisation.
- Milestone 3: the offer or commencement of a new role/responsibility within the current organisation.
Is there any flexibility on the split between the amount of delivery relating to employed, and unemployed/independent learners?
- Yes, there is flexibility. The figure of a 50/50 split is a guide based on current provision delivered across England.
Are learners eligible if they live outside Staffordshire, but work for a Staffordshire employer?
- Yes.
If a person is employed, but self-refers to a bootcamp as an independent learner in order to progress into a different role/sector with a different employer, are they eligible to be fully-funded?
- Yes. Their achievement needs to be evidenced as for independent/unemployed learners, i.e. milestone 2 including an offer of interview, and milestone 3 an offer of a new job with a different employer. Providers should assure themselves that this is not being used as a way for employers to avoid paying the contribution.
Who set the milestone payment targets?
- These have been stipulated by the Department for Education.
Is there any limit on the amount of funding individual organisations can apply for?
- No minimum or maximum contract value. The provision we will contract will meet our business need.
Can a learner attend a Skills Bootcamp and seek employment opportunities outside of Staffordshire?
- Yes. The council does not expect these numbers to be significant and will monitor this at provider level.