The new skills framework project, which has the backing of the Institute of Food Science & Technology, food and drink sector skills council Improve, the Food and Drink Federation and William Reed Business Media, owner of Food Manufacture, failed to win the £2m it was seeking from the GIF. Food industry partners have already pledged £2.8m.
Despite what Improve chief executive Jack Matthews considered was a very strong bid, the proposal recognised by the UK Commission on Employment and Skills, which administers the GIF scheme, as very strong and "a near miss" was rejected for not having enough financial backing from industry "up front", according to Matthews.
However, the UK Commission has agreed to offer feedback on why the original submission was not successful and guide the project partners in resubmitting the bid next month. They will know by mid-October whether or not the resubmission has been successful.
Matthews expressed complete surprise that the bid was not successful in the first round. "I was astonished it didn't go through," he said. "This project is far too important not to go ahead it is one of the strongest consortiums of trade organisations, employers of all sizes and bodies in the sector."
Of 97 original submissions for funding, only 12 were awarded including six from other sector skills councils which represents 23% of the total £30M available through GIF, said Matthews.