At long last the SFA have published their apprenticeship training providers policy, with a fantastic news for subcontractors!

 

The document titled Supporting quality and employer choice through a new Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers outlines the policy for apprenticeship training providers (in England) from May 2017.

The Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers opens for applications, today, 25 October 2016!

The first group of approved training providers will be selected from those who complete the application process by 5.00pm on 25th November 2016.

The RoATP will open for applications four times a year. The SFA plan to reopen the register as soon as the results from the first round are available.

I will attempt to cover the most critical elements of the policy in the sections below and as always the information will be available in Cleverblogs.

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Eligibility to Apply to the RoATP

Only training providers who directly provide training are eligible to apply to the RoATP, so that means;

•    managing agents
•    intermediary bodies
•    consortium leads
•    brokerage organisations
•    any other similar entity that does not itself deliver education and training to apprentices

are not eligible to apply.

"Providers would be ineligible to apply to the register if they have a grade 4 “inadequate” rating for their apprenticeship provision. Organisations with a grade 4 overall but a higher grade for apprenticeship provision would still be eligible to apply."
P5-Supporting quality and employer choice through a new Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers

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Future Role of Subcontractors

The plans to change the role of subcontractors seems to have been put on the back burner for now, which is great news!

Subcontracted practices will be monitored and any changes will happen over time.

There is a significant change from the proposal document in that subcontractors can continue to provide the whole of apprenticeship training programme and not just a small proportion.

"..we will require that all approved “main” providers will need to directly provide training for each employer’s apprenticeship programme that they deliver, but we will not require the main provider to deliver a significant majority of each framework or standard they contract with an employer to deliver. At the employer’s request, and subject to their agreement, main providers will be able to bring in sub- contractors to deliver whole, or parts of, frameworks or standards."
P4-Supporting quality and employer choice through a new Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers

Subcontractors don't have to apply to the RoATP if they deliver less than £100k of apprenticeship training. However, they can apply to the RoATP if they want to increase their training provision or to prove to employers that they meet the RoATP criteria.

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Application Routes and Tests

Thanks to the consultation process the supporting route has been developed with the subcontractor in mind.

•    Main route - eligible for selection by levied employers to deliver apprenticeship training, or selection by another main provider to work as a subcontractor.

•    Supporting route - entry route to the apprenticeship market for organisations that offer a specialism, and providers who only want to deliver as a subcontractor.

•    Employer-provider route - employers who want to provide training to their own staff. They will have the flexibility to lead their own programme, or act as a subcontractor to their appointed main provider.

There will be a series of tests to pass, differentiated by application route, in areas of;

•    financial health
•    due diligence
•    quality, capacity and capability

"Providers on the supporting route will be able to deliver up to £500,000 of apprenticeship training per year, before being required to apply to the main route. Those providers who want to deliver less than £100k of apprenticeship training per year as a subcontractor will have the option to apply."
P5-Supporting quality and employer choice through a new Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers

It would seem that only Main Route applicants will be available to search for in the DAS, which will control subcontracting in the levy.

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Application process

The register opens for applications, today 25 October 2016!

Take the following steps to complete the application process to enter the register of apprenticeship training providers (RoATP):

1.    Read the application instruction document to see if RoATP is right for you to apply to and determine the appropriate application route.

2.    Review the RoATP financial health self-assessment toolkit to establish if you are financially sound.

3.    Review the RoATP e-tendering support guidance to help with access to the questions on the e-tendering portal.

4.    Submit an application through the e-tendering portal before the application deadline.

Here are links to the RoATP application and information pages:

Register of apprenticeship training providers

Register of apprenticeship training providers: application instructions

Register of apprenticeship training providers: e-tendering portal guidance

The first group of approved training providers will be selected from those who complete the application process by 5.00pm on 25th November 2016.

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13th January – 5pm Deadline!

A final reminder just in case you didn't catch the 'RoATP Getting it right first time' webinar delivered by National Careers Service Course Directory Team on 13/12/2016.

This date is extremely important!
if you fail to meet the Course Directory Provider Portal deadline of 5pm on 13th January 2017
then your RoATP application will automatically FAIL.

 

If you have applied to the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP), via the main route, then you will have received an email requesting you to add information about your apprenticeship offer in the Course Directory Provider Portal. (updated link 22/10/2020)

The email included a link to access your account and contact details in case you have any problems trying to access the portal:

Telephone: 0844 811 5073
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (updated email 22/10/2020)

The Course Directory Portal will be new to you if you have never had a direct contract with the ESFA and all the information you add will be seen in the Find Apprenticeship Training (updated link 22/10/2020) section of the Apprenticeships website.

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Tip Before You Start...

There's been a lot of changes to course titles due to the change from frameworks to standards and this has caused problems when trying to add apprenticeship details in the portal.

To avoid this frustration I recommend that you check out the Find Apprenticeship Training page and search for the apprenticeships you will offer to get the correct information before you start completing you offer in the Course Directory Provider Portal.

Example:

I searched for Adult Care and 27 apprenticeship training offers are displayed.

If you continue on and click the Find training providers green button, add a postcode to return a list of training providers.

You will then get an idea of how they describe their apprenticeship offers as these should comply with the style guidelines and have already been accepted in the directory.

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Course Directory Documentation

Here are some handy documents to help with your apprenticeship offer:

Apprenticeship data: course directory provider portal user guide

Course directory provider portal: content guidance - section 4 explains more about style guidelines.

There is also a lot of supporting information on Course Directory Provider Portal Help page.

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Key Points for Quality Checks!
There are several points which you need to consider when preparing your apprenticeship offer as this will be quality checked.

Brief Overview

The brief overview of your company has a maximum of 750 characters and should include:
 
• What type of training provider you are.
• How long you have been delivering apprenticeship training.
• Any association with particular sectors or specialisms.
• The area of the country you cover.

The content must also:

• Be specifically targeted at employers.
• Apply to all apprenticeships you offer.
• Be compliant with the SFA's style guidelines.
• Be accurate and current.

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The Content

As above, the content of your apprenticeship offer should include:

• Be specifically targeted at employers.
• Apply to all apprenticeships you offer.
• Be compliant with the SFA's style guidelines.
• Be accurate (provide sources for claims)
• Be current.
• Use the terms 'apprenticeship', 'training' and apprentice.

Your offer should NOT include:

• The terms 'standard', 'learner', 'course' and 'framework'.
• Any unconfirmed claims.
• Employers names.
• Anything other than overall Ofsted grade.

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Apprenticeship Training for Employers

The content for this section must follow the same principles and the following should be included:

• Be specifically targeted at employers.
• Apply to the specific apprenticeship.
• Be compliant with the SFA's style guidelines.
• Be accurate (for claims such as awards and awarded by)
• Be current.
• Use the terms 'apprenticeship', 'training' and apprentice.

The following should NOT be included:

• The terms 'standard', 'learner', 'course' and 'framework'.
• Any unconfirmed claims.
• List the content of the apprenticeship.
• Any job roles.

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IMPORTANT!

There is an error in the Apprenticeship data: course directory provider portal user guide, 'Current Contract with the SFA' Page 7

You must select the 'Current contract with SFA' check box In the Provider Information section of the Course Directory Provider Portal.

Scroll down to the Apprenticeships heading and the check box is the first item.

If you don't select this then your offer and company information will NOT go through to the live site.

You will need to do this if you are currently a subcontractor but have applied to the RoATP via Main route..

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Ready for QA

Once you have completed all of your apprenticeship offers and brief overview, then you need to have the content checked by the QA team.

There is a Ready for QA button on the top right of each page, you can click any of these.

It normally takes a few days to receive your feedback.

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Points to Note!

1.    You must input your apprenticeship offer AND click the Ready for QA button by 5pm on 13th January 2017.

2.    If the frameworks you deliver have been withdrawn but standards not approved, input your company information
       and contact the help desk to inform them.
       Telephone: 0844 811 5073 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

3.    You can add apprenticeships after the 13th January deadline to satisfy the removal of frameworks and addition of
       standards.

4.    This directory is specifically for apprenticeship training.

5.    Both standards and frameworks can be added to the directory.

6.    The Ready for QA button will not be visible until you have added your apprenticeship offer.

7.    Make sure you only input apprenticeships on the portal which you can widely deliver. Don't offer information for
       an apprenticeship which you only intend to deliver to a specific employer.

8.    Within the Apprenticeship course information you can add locations. Enter the postcode of your company and a
       suitable catchment area such as 15 miles, so employers have more information.
       Section 4.4. Link an Apprenticeship to a Location in the Apprenticeship data: course directory provider portal user guide.

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Exciting Times Ahead!

This post includes snippets of information that you may find useful or interesting in the countdown to the start of the apprenticeship levy & reform.

I don't know about you but I feel like there is a collective holding of breath in anticipation of all the new rules, registers and standards.

There are exciting times ahead but I have a sneaking suspicion it isn't all going to be plain sailing.

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The 10th National Apprenticeship Week will soon be upon us, 6th - 10th March and the SFA have just released a Communications Update newsletter with lots of information on how you can join in and support NAW.

There is also a templates page with information on PR and press releases for your events.

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RoATP Results

If you've applied to the first opening of the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP) you only have a few weeks more to wait to find out the results.

I've had it from several SFA sources that 7th March 2017 is announcement day but contracts won't be allocated until the end of March.

This could be a very exciting National Apprenticeship Week for those successful applicants!

The SFA are also planning a series of workshops for those successful providers who will change from subcontractor to lead.

With luck the second round of RoATP applications will be announced before May but according to FE Week the SFA are reluctant to say.

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Institute for Apprenticeships
If you have opinions on how the Institute of Apprenticeships is to function then you have until 27th February 2017 to have your say on their draft operational plan.

The Institute of Apprenticeships board members were introduced in an interesting FE Week article which also highlights the distinct lack of representation by independent training providers, 7 out of 8 being college appointments.

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Framework Withdrawals

The 4th batch of framework withdrawals has been announced for new starts as of 1 April 2018.

Click to download the latest list of withdrawn frameworks.

There is another consultation survey which is open from Wednesday 22 February to Wednesday 5 April 2017 so pop along and have you say!

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Approved Standards

The list of approved standards is steadily growing but there are still quite a few standards still in development.

There are only 48 companies on The Register of Apprenticeship Assessment Organisations as I understand the application process is really quite rigorous.

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Funding Bands

Just a reminder that all frameworks and standards fall within the 15 funding bands as of May 2017, the spreadsheets can be downloaded below.

Apprenticeship standards: funding bands

Apprenticeship frameworks: funding bands from May 2017

If you aim to deliver standards as of May you will need to factor in the cost of the end point assessment, as this is included in the upper limit price and not an additional cost.

Only organisations found on The Register of Apprenticeship Assessment Organisations can perform this task.

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Considering an MI System?

No matter how you decide to manage your data in the early stages you must take into account that your obligations don't stop with ILR submissions as you will be in scope for Ofsted inspections too.

Athena MIS is packed with tools for internal tracking and progression of a learner journey as well as the all important ILR generating features.

An introduction to Athena MIS & RAIL  outlines all the current features and benefits Athena MIS & RAIL provides for the management of your learner, employer, contract and subcontracted data.

We have a fully functional demonstration site and a You Tube channel full of  'How To..' videos to give you an idea of what Athena MIS is capable of.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to check it out!

We now also offer a data management service including ILR validation and submission!

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The most significant changes in the reform will have a huge impact on subcontractors.

Not only from next April, but they could also be faced with a substantial financial outlay in the lead up to being accepted on the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP).

It's a waiting game at the moment, we don't know what the actual requirements will be for RoATP approval, until the rules published and the RoATP opens in October. At that point you will have to be ready to apply or wait until the next round. 

Hopefully you will have submitted your expression of interest to become an End Point Assessment organisation and completed the consultation surveys on the proposals for Apprenticeship Funding and the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers, as these are now closed.

All I know is it doesn't leave much time for future planning so as a recap I've put together my top ten list of reform changes, many of which could be in place in just over a month!

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Top Ten Reform Changes

1. To deliver apprenticeships from April 2017 you MUST be approved and be on the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP).
   
   
2. The RoATP will be open for applications just 3 times a year.
   
   
3. There is no direct transfer from the RoTO to RoATP, all must apply.
   
   
4. Applicants must pass all three tests to be included on RoATP:
   
          Due Diligence.
          Financial Health.
          Quality, Capacity and Capability.
   
   
5. There are new opportunities to become an End Point Assessment Organisation.
   
   
6. If accepted on RoATP you will be responsible for monthly ILR data submissions.
   
   
7. You can still deliver subcontracted provision, if you are on the RoTO or not, this will be available for Adult Education Budget and Advanced Learner Loans
       only and NOT Apprenticeships.
   
   
8. Uplift payments will no longer be available.
   
   
9. Framework funding will change to be in line with the Standards upper limits.
   
   
10. Subcontractors will not appear in the DAS.
    
    

The apprenticeship reform is having an impact on our applications too! We're not waiting for the final publication of the rules, but going full steam ahead to make sure Athena MIS & RAIL will automatically generate ILR's ready for import into the Hub.

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What's Next?

We know from the RoATP proposal document that when you apply to the register you will have to answer questions about what data management arrangements you have in place.

What we don't know is if it's an actual requirement to have an MI system in place at the time of application.

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Questions to Think About...

1.    Do you take the plunge and get an MI system in place ready to apply to the RoATP?
2.    How long will it take to have an MI in place and ready to use?
3.    Can you use your chosen MI system for all your training provision?
4.    What happens if you don't get  RoATP approval?

Worse Case Scenario...

After quite a financial outlay you could be tied into a system, for however many years, for a service you are not allowed to deliver!

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End Point Assessment Update 2

During the first opening only 13% of End Point Assessment Organisation applications have been approved, according to an article in FE Week on 19th October.

This comes as a bit of a shock when a previous article in FE Week pointed out that here are 147 approved standards, but by July this year only 56 had attracted one or more apprentices AND out of the 56 standards, a whopping 59% didn't have an approved End Point Assessment Organisation.

Are you up to date with new standards available for delivery now?

Do you know which occupations have been approved to develop a standard?

 

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Register of Apprentice Assessment Organisations

The first round of applications has been and gone, which makes a total of only 19 companies so far on the Register of Apprenticeship Assessment Organisations.

1. BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT
2. British Institute of Facilities Management
3. British Institute for Non-Destructive Testing
4. BT PLC
5. Chartered Institute of Credit Management
6. Chartered Institute of Housing
7. The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx)
8. City & Guilds
9. Energy & Utility Skills Ltd
10. Excellence, Achievement & Learning (EAL)
11. FDQ Ltd
12. Leicester College
13. NCTJ Training
14. NOCN
15. Oxford Cambridge & RSA Examinations
16. Pearson Education Ltd
17. Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
18. The Pensions Management Institute
19. Training 2000 Ltd

The RoAAO will open each month for applications and there will be an updated list of Standards for application on the overview page on the .Gov website.

If you are considering applying to become an apprentice assessment organisation, you will need submit your expression of interest on the BravoSolution portal.

Check out the RoAAO Introduction document (the last link on the page), for information on whats involved in the process.

It would seem that you have to apply to deliver individual standards, but only as they become approved.

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The SFA has a whole host of information around the ILR, what it is, why we need it and how to record and submit the information needed.

I will put together as much information as I can find regarding ILR's and what you need to know to manage the submissions for when the final RoATP and Funding Rules documents are published.

Here is a little information to get you started, the latest technical guidelines and validation rules spreadsheet can be downloaded here, along with a whole host of other relevant documents.

The ILR page has all the latest news and updates and you can also check out the documentation for the Hub for registration information.

"The data collected is used to calculate funding due to FE providers, for performance monitoring, future planning and to ensure that public money is being spent in-line with government targets."

SFA

If the data is incorrect then there could be funding claw-back which could have devastating repercussion for training providers.

Take alook at my other ILR blog posts:

Individualised Learner Record (ILR) Update!

Update to Apprenticeship ILR's from May 2017

Creating, Validating and Amalgamating ILR's Using SFA's Tools

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Here are the points I feel are the most important and of course this is just my review... Exciting times ahead!

Data Collection for the DAS Opens!

The SFA's Course Directory Provider Portal for apprenticeship data is now open!

This will form the search part of the DAS, so if you have access, you can go ahead and start writing the information you want EMPLOYERS to read about your organisation.

There are two guidance documents available to help you with the technical aspects of importing data and writing the content.

The Course Directory Provider Portal Help Page has many help files and templates to guide you through bulk upload of apprenticeship data, should you wish to take that approach.

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Subcontractor DAS Update

Here is the answer to my long awaited question... Will subcontractors appear in the DAS?

A subcontractor without a direct contract with the SFA will NOT have a presence in the DAS!

"Initially, the digital apprenticeship service will only display those training providers who have an adult education budget or apprenticeship 16 to 18 budget contract allocation from the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) for the 2016 to 2017 funding year."

"If you meet this criterion and you are a lead provider who provides apprenticeship training through subcontractor(s), you may wish to also include the subcontracted training. You must submit the subcontractor’s apprenticeship data under your own course directory account."
P2, Apprenticeship data: course directory provider portal user guide Version 1

Lead providers add information about how they deliver apprenticeships and if any element of the training is provided by subcontractors.

This now makes sense when you read the new SFA proposals for becoming an approved apprenticeship training provider.

My understanding is that if the proposals are approved then subcontractors as we know them will become lead providers, if they are accepted on the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP).

This would mean that as from April 2017, Subcontractors will be those organisations who offer a supporting role and deliver significantly less than 50% of an apprentices training.

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Apprenticeship Funding

The long awaited Proposal for Apprenticeship Funding was published last Friday and is now open for consultation.

There are some pretty major proposed changes ahead, so why not have your say by completing the Apprenticeship Funding survey. This one also closes on 5th September 2016.

The Apprenticeship Levy page has been updated and there is a new Estimation Tool available to find out if an employer will have to pay the levy, and how payments are broken down.

If you managed to catch Nick Linford's webinar this week then you will have seen the estimation tool in action.

Below are the points I feel are the most important and of course this is just my review of the document. It's certainly interesting reading... Exciting times ahead!

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Funding Levels

There are 15 levels of funding for apprenticeships and the adjacent table shows the upper limit of each level.

This means that these upper limits are the most you can earn per apprenticeship and also include the End Point Assessment costs.  

However, a flat rate of £471.00 each for maths and English, will be paid in addition to these upper limits.

The framework costs will change in line with the standards as from April 2017, so there will no longer be any age, disadvantaged or area uplift payments available.

The proposed funding bands for individual FRAMEWORKS and STANDARDS spreadsheets can be downloaded from the SFA.

The SFA have created a spreadsheet which compares the funding between current frameworks and the new standards.

These spreadsheets compare the funding between current frameworks and the new standards.

These changes could have a significant impact on your profit margin, especially as there will be some negotiation with employers with regard to the total amount they are willing to pay for apprenticeship provision.

 

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Support for Small Employers

The SFA recognise that small employers (less than 50 employees) play a significant role in helping the young and disadvantaged into apprenticeships.

With this in mind, it is proposed that the government would pay small employers 100% of the training costs for 16 - 18 year old apprentices.

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Additional Payments

The only additional payments are a proposed provision of £1,000 for the training provider and £1,000 for the employer to support 16 - 18 year old apprentices "or where the apprentice is 19 to 24 years old and is a care leaver or has a Local Authority Education, Health and Care plan."

P17, Apprenticeship data: course directory provider portal user guide Version 1

Further funding will be given if an apprentice needs additional support to reach level 2 maths and English.

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There are some huge changes planned and you are invited to have your say!

On Friday 12th August the proposal for a NEW Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers was published. (RoATP)

The SFA have launched a survey so you can have a chance to comment on the proposals yourself, but the survey closes on 5th September 2016.

Below are the points I find the most interesting and of course this is just my 'in a nut shell' review of the document. It's certainly interesting reading... Exciting times ahead!

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Changes to Subcontractor Role

In the most simplistic terms, due to employers soon being able to select providers directly from the RoATP and have a direct contractual relationship with them, the current model of 'lead provider' and 'subcontractor' is somewhat redundant.

As from May 2017 the term 'subcontractor' will be used for those training providers who supply significantly less than half of the apprenticeship training or are brought in to supplement training because they have the required expertise that the lead provider does not have.

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Why You Need to Apply

If you want to deliver apprenticeships to any employer from May 2017 YOU MUST apply to join the RoATP.

The RoATP is separate from the RoTO. The RoTO will continue to operate Adult Education Budget & Advanced Learner Loans.

Even if you are delivering apprenticeships and are on the RoTO you will have to apply to the RoATP, as there will be no transfer from RoTO to RoATP.

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Proposed Application Ineligibility

Management agents and any provider who has had an Ofsted inspection grade of 4 (for apprenticeship delivery) in the last 3 years should NOT be eligible to apply.

If a grade of 4 was given overall but a grade of 3 was given for apprenticeship delivery, they will be eligible.
 
"In the future system,we want all employers to have a direct relationship with their training provider(s),giving them maximum control to ensure value for money and quality of provision.

We therefore propose that managing agents, intermediary bodies, consortium leads, brokerage organisations or any other similar entity that does not itself deliver education and training to apprentices, should not be eligible to apply to the RoATP."

P5 of Proposals for a Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers

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Application Process

There are three proposed routes to apply to the RoATP.

Main Route:

• To be eligible for selection by levied employers.
• To participate in the SFA procurement for delivery to non-levied employers.
• Have the capacity and capability to deliver all or majority of the frameworks and standards they provide.
• To deliver parts of frameworks and standards with a subcontracting arrangement for another provider on the main register.

Supporting Route:

• The SFA are asking for views, via the survey, on the value of setting up separate route for those providers who only with to supply part of the training.

Employer - Provider Route:

• This would be for levied employers who want to deliver staff training. They would have to meet the same criteria and would only be able to train their own staff and not be eligible for SFA procurement.

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Application Tests

To be an approved provider you must be able to prove capability to deliver high quality apprenticeships, as well as fitness and ability to receive public funding.

The intended questions will be divided into three tests:

1. Due Diligence.
2. Financial Health.
3. Quality, Capacity & Capability.

All three tests must be passed to be accepted onto the RoATP.

The due diligence and financial health will be similar to those used currently by the RoTO but a higher standard of quality, capacity and capability tests will be devised.

It's proposed that applicants will be asked to provide information such as:

• Training delivery model including recruitment, off-the job training and on-programme assessment.
• Internal management and delivery arrangements,including staff CPD.
• knowledge, skills and experience of working with employers of differing sizes.
• Prior experience and expertise of leaders and staff.
• MI and data management arrangements, including data security.
• Arrangements for safeguarding apprentices and learner support.

P12 of Proposals for a Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers

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When to Apply?

It is proposed that the RoATP will be open for applications in October 2016.

There will also be the opportunity to apply to deliver to non-levied employers at this time as well.

There will be a time limit on this session, and then its proposed the RoATP will be open every three months, for a month at a time.

The SFA will publish an up to date list of approved providers along with which route they applied through.

Each provider must re-apply every year to stay on the register.

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It's such an exciting, but frustrating time!

There are so many opportunities especially with the ability to expand your business and become an End Point Assessment Organisation, but information is sadly lacking and very much delayed.

Changes for Subcontractors

So far I haven't managed to get access to the DAS or had any response from the SFA to confirm if subcontractors will be available in the DAS or not.

I've since discovered that there will be a NEW Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers, opening for applications in the autumn.

As soon as I find out the location for this I will pass on the link.

The criteria for gaining this approval is currently been developed and may have significant importance for subcontractors.

"The Skills Funding Agency is working with employers and providers to identify what precise standards and measures are important to them in selecting an apprenticeship training provider. All training providers will need to show that they meet or exceed these criteria to join the register of approved training providers and receive digital payments or government funding to deliver apprenticeship training."
SFA - Apprenticeship levy: how it will work

Under the new apprenticeship reforms subcontractors CAN contract directly with employers. Realistically we won't know for sure how this will work until the approval criteria is available, however this is being seen as somewhat of a threat by some lead providers.

Maybe this is a double edged sword? It will open up new business opportunities but will also have a major impact on your admin due to monthly ILR submissions. (see diagrams below.)

There could be some big changes ahead for subcontractors especially with managing data. My next email will be looking at ILR's and how much work is involved in submitting these monthly returns.

Apprenticeship Levy & Non Levy Contracting Models

There are two different processes involved in the selection and delivery of apprenticeships but either way employers will use the DAS to search and select an approved training provider and end point assessment organisation.

Non Levy Paying Employers

 

 

Levy Paying Employers

 

 

What's The Plan?

The following should take place according to plan, but there is always the possibility for change.

 

There have been significant delays in accessing information and they are not expected to be released until late August or early September

Read Article

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The most important reform so far!

End Point Assessments

I would say that the most challenging part of the apprenticeship reform is the introduction of end-point assessments, as you can't assess your own learners.

Employers will use the DAS (Digital Apprenticeship Service) to choose a lead provider and end-point assessment organisation. (Non levy paying employers will use the DAS for information only.)

The candidate must be signed off by the training provider and employer at the gateway prior to moving on to their end-point assessment, to ensure that each candidate is actually ready to be assessed.

This follows the successful completion of any required qualifications, functional skills and employer requirements outlined in the standard.

Although each standard has different content they all have common elements that must take place in sequence.

The candidate won't achieve their apprenticeship unless they pass the end-point assessment.

Assessment Plan

Each standard will have its own assessment plan which will outline how the apprenticeship will be assessed, what will be assessed and who will assess it.

The plan will focus on the apprentice being assessed in a fair, impartial and independent way, with the expectation that the candidate will demonstrate that they can perform within the job role in a holistic, competent and productive manner.

There are many methods of end point assessment which include:

• Practical assessments
• Produce a project
• A viva – assessment of theoretical or
• technical knowledge
• Professional discussion
• A portfolio of work
• Observational assessment
• Written test
• Multiple choice test
• Virtual assessment – online tests or video evidence.

Assessments will, in most cases, have a 3 level grading system such as pass, merit and distinction along with the percentages needed for each grade.

If you haven't seen an assessment plan for you sector yet why not take a look at one of these to get an idea of the variation of assessment methods.

Rail Engineering Operative                Adult Care Worker             Dental Technician              Commis Chef

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Who are Assessment Organisations?

You may have noticed that most awarding bodies are now registered as assessment organisations but this does not mean you can't be one too.

Training providers (as long as they don't asses their own learners) and employers can apply to be an assessment organisation.

If you don’t want to miss out on being able to deliver end-point assessments you MUST apply to be on the Register.

Bear in mind that the end-point assessments you wish to deliver MUST be agreed for delivery BEFORE you can apply to be on the register, so keep an eye on the  Apprenticeship Standards Ready for Delivery page.

There are a series of questions to answer and you must prove that you are capable of carrying out assessments as well as ability to develop tests, examinations and to run an assessment centre for tests and discussions to take place in.

Once approved by the SFA successful organisations will then be listed on the Register of Apprenticeship Assessment Organisations.

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 New Standards for Apprenticeships

Confused?

I'm sharing my research in the hope that I can bottom out some of the issues and concerns regarding the apprenticeship reforms.
The information below is an accumulation of my research on the New Apprenticeship Standards, although very much condensed.

I will follow this email with my findings on End Point Assessments as there is far too much information for one post.

Apprenticeship Standards

As you know the new apprenticeship standards, created by Trailblazer employer groups, are in the process of being completed and all approved standards are listed on the Apprenticeship Standards Ready for Delivery page.

There is a list of Occupations Available which also shows at what stage the standard is at; in development, approved or approved for delivery.

There will be a huge difference in the way these standards are delivered compared to the existing apprenticeship framework (SASE). Both types will run side by side, probably until 2020, when the SASE frameworks will be phased out completely.

The phased withdrawal of SASE frameworks began in March 2016 and the SFA are now consulting on the third batch of framework withdrawals.

"The frameworks included in this consultation have:

fewer than 125 starts in 2014 to 2015 funding year and so far in the 2015 to 2016 funding year

or

coverage by replacement apprenticeship standard(s)"

"We will review the feedback and announce the final list for withdrawal in September. This will give 6 months’ notice before the date of withdrawal."

SFA - Removal of Apprenticeship Frameworks

To be involved take part in the consultation and complete the survey.

All current and live SASE frameworks are listed and updated on the Live List page and any withdrawn frameworks are listed on the Removal of Apprenticeship Frameworks page.

Qualifications are Not Mandatory

The new Standards will be challenging and require a minimum of 1 year training. There is no mandatory requirement for a qualification unless it's required for professional registration, to fulfil a legal or regulatory requirement or a 'Licence to Practice'.

Trailblazer groups can choose to build specific qualifications into the Standards or recommend them in the Assessment Plan.

Providers and employers have more flexibility to develop a programme or include a qualification where qualifications are not mandatory.

Continuous assessment will still be required to track the progress of the apprentice and to monitor readiness for the End Point Assessment.

Standards without a qualification needing continuous assessment won't have the same level of quality assurance and progress may well be monitored just by the employer. In any event both employers and providers will need to work closely together to work out the best way to deliver quality apprenticeships.

Standards

Maths and English

Required for every apprenticeship and each Standard will specify a required level. Candidates who already satisfy the Maths and English requirements will work towards the next level.

Behaviours

The Standard will also include behaviours as well as skills and knowledge. Expectations for behaviours will be set out in the Assessment Plan and will contribute towards End Point Assessment outcomes regardless of being formally assessed or not.

The extent of grades being influenced by behaviours or if they will be assessed separtely will be outlined in the Assessment Plan.

The Gateway

The apprentice must be signed off by the training provider and employer as ready for End Point Assessment.

The End Point Assessment company has to be separate from the training provider who delivered the apprenticeship training.

Tracking learner progression through the apprenticeship will be of the greatest importance to your lead providers, who in turn will report to the SFA and employers.

Data Management

Did you see the FE Week post about funding clawback and Data Management?

Ward Warning – get data right else face funding clawback

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It maybe nine months away, but change is definitely coming. It can’t be stopped but it can be managed if you start planning now.

The Apprenticeship Levy & Reforms brings financial changes to large employers and a complete restructure to the way in which apprenticeship training is delivered and funded.

From April 2017 employers will choose a lead provider to deliver their future apprenticeship training. I have conflicting information that some say All direct funded (lead) providers will be listed in the Digital Apprenticeship Service but subcontractors won't but others say ALL

Will You Help ‘Your’ Employers Choose a Lead Provider?

or

Will Your Lead Providers Take on This Challenge?

It’s a more important time than ever to build on your employer relationships to make sure you’re still ‘your’ employers’ first choice for apprenticeship training. 

Apprenticeship Levy

The Apprenticeship Levy will come into force for companies with a wage bill over 3 million pounds, but non levy paying employers will also have to contribute to partially fund apprenticeship training.

According to the current apprenticeship standards funding rules (March 2016) the SFA will top up £2.00 for every £1.00 an employer spends. There are also three employer incentives to soften the blow but there are specific criteria to fulfil.

Apprenticeship Standards Pilot Funding Model

Example
Using the current funding model, if you have a level 2 standard with a funding cap of 2, which has a maximum core government contribution of £3,000.

The employer contribution will be £1,500 giving a total of £4,500 for the cost of the training.

In this instance the additional (employer) incentive payments for Cap 2 are;

16 – 18 year old - £900
Small business <50 - £500
Successful completion - £500

So if the employer fulfils the criteria above and they're not delivering any of the training themselves, they could be £400 up on the deal.

There could be promising changes heading our way.

There's talk of the government increasing their contribution for those companies who don't pay into the levy, or if their levy pot has run out.

The government contribution could be as much as £9.00 for every £1.00 invested!

Managing Your Data

With the introduction of the new Digital Apprenticeship Service and Find An Apprenticeship service each employer will choose apprenticeships, end-point assessors and negotiate fees and payment terms with their chosen lead provider.

In essence, every employer could be paying different amounts. As you can imagine this will create a huge amount of data management and reporting for lead providers to deal with, as they will receive an manage all payments from both government and employers. This will filter down to subcontractors and will have an impact on cash your flow, if you don’t have your data up to date and at your fingertips.

Data management will be especially important as you will probably have ongoing apprenticeships using the current framework and apprentices starting to use the new standards.

If you're still working with spreadsheets to manage your learner data switching to an Management Information System (MIS) will streamline your business and free up a lot of time in preparing reports and tracking learner progress.

There is usually a steep learning curve when you take the leap to an MIS, but just think of all the benefits it will bring to your business.

If you’ve been putting off trying out an MIS then don’t wait too long or there will be too much change deal with all at once!

I've put together an MIS Check List of questions you should be asking when looking for an MIS. Keep it for when you start your search, it will come in handy

 

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 Is the thought of change too much trouble?

Change is the biggest barrier stopping us from achieving a greater level of efficiency, organisation and lets face it a less stressful work environment.

Most of us are challenged every day by the same old issues, what ever they maybe for you, but do we do anything about it?

We put problems in the way to stop us facing a mammoth change, because our current way of working maybe flawed but it's somehow a safe place.

Now we create software for training providers to manage their learner data, which is great, but I thought what all about my data rattling around.

I just wasn’t efficient so I looked around at available (cheap) CRM’s and was a bit disappointed to say the least.

I figured if I was going to take the plunge and make that HUGE change to my working life I wanted simplicity at the very least.

After trying several systems I decided that making the change was too much of a barrier so I would stick with my own ways, even if a tad disorganised.

Well, this was until one of our clients came to us with the very same problem. So I wasn't alone, what a shock that was!

They had tried a few systems but each had too many unwanted features, lack of flexibility and little customer support hit the list.

We had a short discussion and made the instant decision to build our own, which our clients love and I use it daily too.

Making the decision to CHANGE was really difficult, but to be honest admitting I was disorganised was even harder! 

Take a step back and a long hard look at your particular problem, then the hardest part, do something about it!

Remember;

1. You are not alone!

2. Your business deserves the best, that's why you are passionate about what you do

3. Don't stay stuck talking about change, take action!

 

If you are thinking about moving from spreadsheets to a Management information System or CRM, and are stuck at the change barrier, then drop me an email with your issues, questions or concerns and let's see how I can help.

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