The UfI (University for Industry) reported on 8 September:

"With a few exceptions, mainly where people are still on holiday, we have now contacted everyone who has submitted a proposal to run a geographic hub.

We are now in the process of setting up initial meetings to discuss proposals further or to offer feedback on why we are unable, at this stage, to take a particular proposal forward.

We continue to be very encouraged and excited by the quality of the proposals we have received and the enthusiasm being shown for the Ufi concept.

With over 4000 learning centres included in the proposals already submitted a key part of our discussions will have to be which centres should be included in the first wave of development. As Ufi is not about re-badging existing learners, we will carefully select learning centres that have the potential to reach our prime target: new learners.
Our aim remains to invite geographic hubs to begin work on formal business proposals by the middle of October. All geographic hub business plans will need to be with us by 15th November.

Letters will shortly be going to everyone who proposed sectoral and company hubs explaining the outcome of their proposal. Meetings with proposers will commence in September and continue through into the New Year. "

Their website press release contains details of all regional contacts throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland who are processing the applications. There is a timetable for the way forward and the announcement ends with the statement "We are confident of having a world class network of at least 1000 learning centres in place by spring 2001".