278.This section allows the Commission to fund certain categories of providers who are registered with the Commission under Part 2 of the Act, for the purpose of supporting higher education provided by or on behalf of such providers.
279.The categories of registered providers eligible to receive funding from the Commission under this section will be specified in regulations made by the Welsh Ministers.
280.A registered provider receiving funding under this section may pass funds to a collaborating body. The passage of funds will allow the funded provider to work collaboratively with a range of partner organisations (including those outside Wales) engaged in the provision of higher education.
281.A provider funded by the Commission who is collaborating, has collaborated or who proposes to collaborate with another organisation to provide higher education needs the consent of the Commission to pass funds to the collaborating organisation. The Commission will not have a direct relationship with the collaborating organisation and therefore the provider funded by the Commission remains responsible for the funding. Section 108 contains procedures to be followed when the Commission is deciding whether or not to give consent.
282.The Welsh Ministers are enabled to make regulations about the circumstances in which funding must not be provided in respect of courses of initial teacher training. Such regulations could, for example, require that such courses must not be funded by the Commission unless they are accredited by a specified body.