Another long wait has been had by all who applied (or reapplied) to the third release of the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers.

 A great big congratulations for those who've made it!

The Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers is now made up of:

•    263 Employer Providers
•    1924 Main Providers
•    390 Supporting Providers

A total of 2577 successful applicants.

The article on FE Week is an interesting read covering the current situation.

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What's Next for RoATP?

Back in September 2017 the ESFA announced that this third opening of the RoATP would be the last until a review of providers has taken place.

“This will be the final time the register opens before we intend to review it to ensure that it continues to offer employers confidence that those listed can deliver the highest-quality apprenticeship training.”

This article in FE Week covered ongoing concerns many of which are still of issue to date!

So far there has been no indication as to when the register will reopen so those not on the RoATP will be limited to £100k of aggregated delivery until accepted on the register.

 

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Points to Note:

•    Only those accepted on the RoATP can deliver apprenticeship training.

•    Levy tax can only be used for apprenticeship training.

•    Employ a new apprentice or up skill existing staff.

•    Apprenticeship duration – minimum 1 year.

•    20% ‘off the job’ training.

•    ESFA approved Framework or standard (only if approved for delivery).

•    Ofqual regulated qualifications only.

•    Must be registered with Ofqual regulated awarding organisation.

•    In scope for Ofsted inspections.

•    Main provider on RoATP – can only deliver to levy paying employers
     unless has a direct contract with ESFA.

•    Monthly ILR submissions to ESFA & data management.

•    Must adhere to all ESFA funding rules.

•    Matrix Standard.

•    Must include functional skills maths & English (unless exempt).

•    Safeguarding & prevent duty policies and procedures in place.

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New to Apprenticeship Delivery?

The ESFA will provide mandatory training for providers new to delivering apprenticeship training but there are other options available for you to get a head start.

The Education & Training Foundation have a series of courses to help including:

•    How will I resource my apprenticeship delivery?

•    Planning your delivery programme

•    Preparing to Deliver the Apprenticeship Standards

•    How to deliver apprenticeships effectively: Seminar

•    Everything you need to know about apprenticeships.

Course fees are reduced for SET members.

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New to Delivering Standards?

The Education & Training Foundation also have courses "progress your delivery of apprenticeship standards" for those providers transitioning from frameworks.

Delivering apprenticeship standards courses in:

• •    adultcare, healthcare and dental
• •    business administration and customer service
• •    catering and hospitality
• •    digital
• •    Early Years
• •    education and training
• •    hair and beauty
• •    leadership and management
• •    motor vehicle and engineering
• •    warehousing and logistics

"The Society for Education and Training (SET) is the new professional membership organisation of the Education and Training Foundation for practitioners working in the post-16 education and training sector. Since the close of the Institute for Learning (IfL) in November 2014, SET has taken on its legacy and continues to support practitioners through their professional membership."

 

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ESFA Funding Streams

There are other ESFA funding streams available to training providers but you must apply to the Register of Training Organisations, completing capacity and capability, if you want to be eligible for other direct contracts.

As soon as the ROTO opens for new applicants I will let you know!

Download the current list here.

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How Can We Help You?

We've been thinking...  We specialise in supporting small training providers and know how much of a daunting task it is trying to work out which MI system will be right for your company, so we've come up with a special offer just for those who receive my emails or blog updates.

Questions?

•    Are you currently using the ESFA's learner entry tool?
•    Are you looking for an ILR compliant MIS?
•    Do you have a current ILR (XML) document?
•    Would you like support in submitting your ILR?

I maybe shooting myself in the foot, but here goes!

We will set up your very own Athena MIS with access for a whole month AND support you through submitting an ILR, so you can get a real life feel for what our system can do for you!

No strings attached!

If you don't like Athena MIS no worries, your system will be deleted and you walk away with a submitted ILR*.
*Subject to completion of the required ILR fields.

All ILR's created by Athena MIS are error free, this is because only valid learners are included for submission!

If you like Athena MIS and want to continue uninterrupted simply:

•    pay the setup fee
•    setup a standing order
•    sign licence agreement.

Our fees are listed on our pricing page.

Don't Have an ILR?

So, you don't have an ILR but want to try out Athena MIS?

You can always try our demo site for a general idea of what's included, just email me for login details.

Not enough, you want to submit an ILR?

Hmm, ok, what can we do here?

If you have a small number of learners then get in touch, we will help the best we can!

Register below to get our blog updates to take advantage of our special offer!

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ESFA update on the cancellation of the Non-Levy Procurement!

Last night (20th July) the ESFA updated their announcement regarding the cancellation of the Non-Levy Procurement (ITT-30190).

There isn't a new document as such just an updated version which provides a little more information.

I've listed the highlights below:

•    A new procurement will launch at the end of July and will close in September.
 
•    This will be a highly competitive exercise, which will attract interest from a wide range of training providers.
 
•    Providers will be expected to submit high-quality bids, which fully demonstrate their capabilities in accordance
      with the published criteria, in order to have the potential to be successful.
 
•    New contracts awarded as a result of this procurement will run from January 2018 to April 2019, when we aim to
      bring all employers onto the apprenticeship service.
 
•    This means all employers will be able to choose any provider from the register of apprenticeship training
      providers directly to deliver their apprenticeship training.
 
•    The new procurement will not affect training provision for existing learners.
 
•    While the new procurement exercise is open, the register of apprenticeship training providers will not re-open for
      new applications.

ESFA Update 20th July 2017.

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New SASE Document
 
There has been a new document published this week to update the Specification of apprenticeship standards for England (SASE), which is for employers and training providers.

This document will be valuable for those providers who will continue to deliver apprenticeship frameworks.

Points include:

•    Qualifications Related to the Sector

•    Functional Skills/GCSE/Other Alternatives

•    Employee Rights and Responsibilities (ERR)

•    Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS)

•    On-the-Job Training and Off-the-Job Training Guided Learning Hours (GLH)

•    Exceptions to the English and Maths Regular Minimum Requirements for People with Special Educational Needs, Learning Difficulties or Disabilities.

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Non - Levy Procurement Cancelled!

The ESFA have announced today that they are cancelling the current procurement exercise, which has been on hold since April due to being significantly over subscribed.

The full announcement explains why and that they will launch a new procurement at the end of July!

"The ESFA has also confirmed that the register of apprenticeship training providers will not re-open for new applications, while the new procurement exercise is open."

The Skills Minister was reported in FE Week this morning as saying:

"Speaking of the paused tendering round, Ms Milton said it would be scrapped, and rerun in July.

Contracts and allocations for non-levy funding would run from January 2018 to April 2019 and the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers will not be open to new providers."

There is no further information as to how long the procurement will be open for, so it's still a waiting game for those of you who need to apply to the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP).

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A nail biting time has been had by all eagerly awaiting the second release of the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers.

 

A great big congratulations for those who've made it!

The Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers is now made up of:

•    220 Employer Providers
•    1678 Main Providers
•    317 Supporting Providers

A total of 2216 successful applicants.

The article in FE Week is an interesting read and covers the current situation with some good news for 'major player' who are successful this time around.

Like most of you I'm pretty confused over how the ESFA have made some of their acceptance decisions and there most certainly should be an appeals process!

I've managed to catch Nick Linford's Q&A webinars over the past few weeks and from some of the questions asked it seems there is still so much uncertainty around the sector with regard to ESFA's funding rules and regulations, ever the optimist I'm sure all will become clear when the general election is out of the way.

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What Does it Mean to be Accepted on the RoATP?

Essentially it means you are one of a specialist group training providers who can deliver apprenticeship training either in a main, supporting or employer provider role.

Simply put, if you're not accepted on RoATP then you can't deliver apprenticeship training to anyone!

FE Week's article covers the shocking impact training providers face due to the ESFA pausing contract allocations to non levy paying employers until January 2018.

In light of the ESFA's decision, previous lead providers and successful applicants as a main provider on RoATP, will have had their previous contract extended and can also of course deliver to levy paying employers.

If you have been accepted on RoATP as a main provider, but had previously been a subcontractor, then it means that you can ONLY deliver new start apprenticeship training to levy paying employers unless your previous lead providers can offer you a further contract.

Unfortunately it seems many don't have this luxury and most previous subcontractors face tough times ahead.

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Points to Note:

•    Only those accepted on the RoATP can deliver apprenticeship training.

•    Levy tax can only be used for apprenticeship training.

•    Employ a new apprentice or up skill existing staff.

•    Apprenticeship duration – minimum 1 year.

•    20% ‘off the job’ training.

•    ESFA approved Framework or standard (only if approved for delivery).

•    Ofqual regulated qualifications only.

•    Must be registered with Ofqual regulated awarding organisation.

•    In scope for Ofsted inspections.

•    Main provider on RoATP – can only deliver to levy paying employers
     unless has a direct contract with ESFA.

•    Monthly ILR submissions to ESFA & data management.

•    Must adhere to all ESFA funding rules.

•    Matrix Standard.

•    Must include functional skills maths & English (unless exempt).

•    Safeguarding & prevent duty policies and procedures in place.

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New to Funded Training?

At the moment those who have never delivered any government funded provision can ONLY deliver apprenticeship training to levy paying employers.

If you are new to government funded provision you will find that there is a vast amount of information to wade through, plus ESFA rules and regulations to adhere to, before you can start delivering apprenticeship training.

The apprenticeship reform is taking it's toll on training providers who are well versed in ESFA contracts and delivery so those new to the system could very well be swamped!

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ILR & Data Management

The new ILR specification rules from May 1st are really quite daunting and it has taken us a great deal of time to factor these changes into Athena MIS.

The ESFA are allowing a period of 3 months to get to grips with ILR submissions so it's really important to get up to speed with all the rules and regulations.

The first document below is of vital importance and explains these requirements in detail.

•    Guidance for returning apprenticeships on the ILR from 1 May 2017: version 2

•    ILR specification 2016 to 2017: version 3 (30 September 2016)

•    Provider support manual - guide to making ILR data returns during the 2016 to 2017 funding year: version 3

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Funding Rules

There is a new Technical Funding Rules document which covers apprenticeship starts as of May 1st 2017:

•    Apprenticeship technical funding guide for starts from May 2017

This runs in conjunction with the following funding rules documentation:

•    Apprenticeship funding in England from May 2017

This will of course be updated as of August 1st when the 2017-2018 funding rules will take over!

"The rules that will apply to all apprenticeship provision funded by the SFA following the introduction of the apprenticeship levy."

•    ILR specification 2017 to 2018: version 1

•    Apprenticeship funding: rules for employer-providers

•    Apprenticeship funding and performance-management rules for training providers

•    Apprenticeship funding and performance management rules 2017 to 2018: summary of changes.

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Cleverblogs

I'm in the process of creating a 5 part blog looking at the Impact of Apprenticeship Levy on Commercial Training Providers, covering everything from;

•    applying to the RoATP
•    Ofqual regulated qualifications
•    ILR and Data management
•    Ofsted requirements
•    ESFA funding rules and regulations.

Part one is now posted in Cleverblogs on our website.

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ESFA Funding Rules and Regulations

As of from May 1^st 2017 all new apprenticeship starts on either frameworks or standards fall into one of the new 15 apprenticeship funding bands.

•    Standards

•    Frameworks

The following documents are needed to comply with the ESFA's regulations:

•   Apprenticeship funding: how it will work

•   Apprenticeship funding in England from May 2017

•   Apprenticeship funding and performance management rules 2017 to 2018

There is a new Technical Funding Rules document which covers apprenticeship starts as of May 1st 2017:

•   Apprenticeship technical funding guide

This runs in conjunction with the following funding rules documentation:

•   ILR specification, validation rules and appendices 2017 to 2018

•   Apprenticeship funding: rules and guidance for employers

•   Addendum to the apprenticeship funding and performance management rules - May 2017 to March 2018

This will of course be updated as of August 1st when the 2017-2018 funding rules will take over!

"The rules that will apply to all apprenticeship provision funded by the SFA following the introduction of the apprenticeship levy."

•   ILR specification 2017 to 2018: version 1

•   Apprenticeship funding: rules for employer-providers

•   Apprenticeship funding and performance-management rules for training providers

•   Apprenticeship funding and performance management rules 2017 to 2018: summary of changes

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Matrix Standard

You will also be required to meet the Matrix standard, as covered in the The matrix standard guidance note: update 2.

“Requirements around the matrix Standard only apply to training, learning or work experience programmes and activities that are partly or wholly-funded by the Skills Funding Agency.”

All levy paying employers fall into the ESFA's co-investment policy once their levy pot is spent, then the employer contributes 10% towards training and the ESFA will fund the remaining 90%, therefore this is part funded and the Matrix Standard is required.

If you have less than 25 people involved in delivery then you will need to contact Matrix on 020 3880 5059 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a specific cost, otherwise check out the framework of Matrix Standard Costs.

The matrix standard guidance note: update 2

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Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers

As a requirement of being accepted on the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP) you will have to submit monthly Individualised Learner Record (ILR) to the ESFA. (see blog part 4)

It really makes no difference if you have 10 or 1000 learners this contractual obligation stands, as well as being in scope for direct Ofsted inspections, you will need to comply with all their regulations too. (see blog part 5)

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This deadline is extremely important!
If you fail to meet the Course Directory Provider Portal deadline then your RoATP application will automatically FAIL.

 

If arriving here in 2020 please be aware that this post was created in the 2016-2017 funding year and since then some of the links and information has changed. I've updated the links as best I can and hope you will still find some of the information useful. (updated 26/10/2020)

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.

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.

The Course Directory Portal will be new to you if you have never had a direct contract with the SFA and all the information you add will be seen in the Find an Apprenticeship Training section of the .Gov website or 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 66 apprenticeship training offers are displayed.

If you continue on and click any of the results you will find the training provider listed at the bottom.

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:

Find apprenticeship training: how to submit data

1. Data quality assurance
2. Provider information
3. Apprenticeship training information
4. Style and compliance

 

Government Digital Service (GDS) style guide explains more about style guidelines.

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Sections in The Course Directory To Complete

The requirement is to ONLY add your apprenticeship offer!

1. Main Provider Details: Make sure your company details are correct and make sure the name of your company is not
    typed in capital letters.

2. Course Data: This does not apply to you, so don't complete it!

3. Apprenticeship Data: Add all the Apprenticeships you offer along with their locations.

3. Ignore the traffic lights at the top of the screen, this does not apply to you.

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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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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 deadline day.

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 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. The Apprenticeship data: course directory provider portal user guide is no longer available.

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Non- Levy Procurement Competition Opens!

The ESFA has just announced that the  ITT is now open for applications, so login to the Bravo Solutions portal and get cracking!

If you have been accepted on the RoATP as a main provider then you are eligible to apply.

If you applied the first time you will find that the questions and requirements are different.

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Critical Differences

There are a number of critical differences between the new procurement and the old one, including:

• New tender value caps and contract award limits to ensure greater confidence that awards are set at realistic levels.
   
• Awards in line with current levels of geographical delivery in the 9 English regions.
   
• Improved scoring criteria and evaluation methodology.
   
• The ability to grow above award values in year, subject to a number of conditions.
   

This will be a highly competitive exercise, which will attract interest from a wide range of training providers.

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Key Features Part One

Areas to be tested:

• Readiness to deliver.
   
• Delivery planning.
   
• Meeting employer and apprentice needs.
   
• Management reporting and quality assurance.
   
• Outcomes and impact.

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 Key Features Part Two

• The scoring criteria has changed see the ITT.
   
• New tender value thresholds.

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Key Features Part Three

• ESFA will maintain the current levels of geographical delivery.
   
• Organisations will submit a single bid and specify funding needed out of each regional funding pot.
   
• Performance management in place to allow providers to grow above award values in year if delivering inline with their tender. 
   
• See performance management rules in the ITT.

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New Funding Allocation

 

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Watch the video for more information!

 

 

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RoATP Remains Closed!

Until the ITT application window is completed the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers will remain closed to new applicants.

This procurement is open until the beginning of September and with luck the next round of the RoATP will open soon after.

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What's the Impact?

You are NOT eligible to apply for this non-levy procurement unless you've been accepted on the RoATP as a main provider.

So this means that you won't be able to secure a contract to deliver non-levy apprenticeship training until after April 2019 as long as you make it as a main provider on RoATP.

There is no information regarding the opening frequency of the non-levy procurement, but as soon as I hear anything I will let you know.

 

 

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Apprenticeship ILR Update

If you are a new main provider or employer provider you will have to get up to speed quickly to submit your first ILR on 5th May 2017.

 ILR Updates

Under normal circumstances the ILR specifications are updated on an annual basis ready for the new funding year and the 207 - 2018 ILR Specification will be in place from 1st August.

However, due to the apprenticeship reform and levy there have been additional specification updates and new requirements which have had to be put in place ready for the start of the levy, so with this in mind I want to make you aware of these new additions as these will have an impact on your apprenticeship ILR's from May 1st.

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New Funding Model

All new apprenticeships, frameworks or standards from May 1st 2017 will use funding model 36, while all previous frameworks and standards for learners on programme will continue with their existing codes.

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New ILR Requirements!

The new rules ONLY apply to new starts as of May 1st.

For apprenticeship starts from May 1st you will be required to submit your ILR's monthly for both levy and non levy paying employers, providing such information as:

•    ACT code

•    Total Negotiated Value

•    Total negotiated training cost

•    Total negotiated end point assessment cost

•    Residual training cost

•    Residual assessment cost

•    Record of cash contribution payment made by the employer to the provider for training costs

•    Record of cash contribution payment made by the employer to the provider for assessment costs

which is only a small portion of the required data and most have specific circumstances for returning values or not.

The first document below is of vital importance and explains these requirements in detail.

 •   Guidance for returning apprenticeships on the ILR from 1 May 2017: version 2

•    ILR specification 2016 to 2017: version 3 (30 September 2016)

•    Provider support manual - guide to making ILR data returns during the 2016 to 2017 funding year: version 3

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Funding Rules

There is a new Technical Funding Rules document which covers apprenticeship starts as of May 1st 2017:

•   Apprenticeship technical funding guide for starts from May 2017

This runs in conjunction with the following funding rules documentation:

•    Apprenticeship funding in England from May 2017

This will of course be updated as of August 1st when the 2017-2018 funding rules will take over!

"The rules that will apply to all apprenticeship provision funded by the SFA following the introduction of the apprenticeship levy."

•    ILR specification 2017 to 2018: version 1

•    Apprenticeship funding: rules for employer-providers

•    Apprenticeship funding and performance-management rules for training providers

•    Apprenticeship funding and performance management rules 2017 to 2018: summary of changes

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ILR Compliant MI System

Athena MIS provides ILR compliance as specified in the ILR specification documentation. We are registered with the Skills Funding Agency software writers group which meets regularly to discuss updates, changes and future developments with regard to all data management related issues.

All ILR compliant MI systems conform to the SFA's specifications providing the same set of core features and requirements as standard, so each MI system can create the exact document format for you to submit your ILR returns.

The decision as to which MI system best suites your company will depend entirely on your company's additional needs.

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ILR Validation in Athena MIS

We have built into Athena MIS as much automation and support for ILR validation as we can, which just isn't available in the free ILR Learner Entry Tool.

The Learner Entry Tool is a means to generate the required ILR document in the correct format but offers no validation or support with your data choices, so you will need to be fully versed in:

• ILR Validation Rules 2016 - 17 spreadsheet

• Guidance for returning apprenticeships on the ILR from 1 May 2017: version 2

• Provider support manual - guide to making ILR data returns during the 2016 to 2017 funding year: version 3

• ILR specification 2016 to 2017: version 3

• Apprenticeship technical funding guide for starts from May 2017

• Apprenticeship funding in England from May 2017.

We have a fully functional Athena MIS demo site for you to use so you can compare it to the ILR Learner Entry Tool, for access just email me for login details.

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 subcontractor data.

We are dedicated to providing a personal service with as much or little support as you need.

• You can simply licence Athena MIS and manage your data and ILR'S yourself.

• You can opt to control all of the data input side and let us analyse and prepare your ILR'S.

• We can take this a step further and perform the validation and submission of your ILR'S too!

• We can even manage every stage of your data management requirements.

Whatever your required level of support we have a solution to take the pressure off learning the multitude of rules to produce error free ILR submissions.

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Funding Rules and key points when applying to the RoATP...

Funding Rules - Key Points
 
The Apprenticeship funding in England from May 2017 document explains the final funding policy from May 2017.

Here is my top ten rules list:

1.    New rules in effect as of 1st May 2017 for both levy and non levy employers.

2.    Levy starts 6th April 2017 - funds not appearing in DAS until end of May for April's payroll.

3.    Funding bands will be applied to both frameworks and standards.

4.    Increase in funding for STEM frameworks by 40% at level 2 and 80% at level 3 and above.

5.    20% uplift payment for providers training 16 -18 apprentices on frameworks.

6.    10% co-investment by employers paid directly to providers.

7.    100% training costs paid for small employers, with less than 50 employees, to train 16-18 apprentices.

8.    £1,000 additional payment for employers & providers for 16-18 apprentices, on either a framework or standard.

9.    Disadvantaged uplift of either £600, £300 or £200, depending on postcode, for frameworks only.

10.  The government will directly fund a flat rate of £471 for each English and maths qualification, minimum level 1 and if possible level 2.
       Any additional training over and above this minimum standard must be paid by the employer.

There is a great article in FE Week about the funding rules 'u-turn' since the proposals in August and Apprentice announcements you need to know.

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 Notes for RoATP Application
 
There are several important points to note for when you apply to the RoATP.

1.    Disadvantaged uplift payments are only available on frameworks and NOT standards and are for 1 year only.
 
2.    There is an additional £1,000 each for employer and provider to train a 16 - 18 apprentice.
 
3.    An additional 20% of the maximum funding band uplift payment for the provider for apprentices on frameworks only.
      Page 5 Apprenticeship funding in England from May 2017
 
4.    This also applies to 19 - 24 apprentices who have previously been in care or have an educational and health care plan.

This is important for the ITT 30190 application as you will need work out projections based on either standards or frameworks.

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IMPORTANT!!
 
"An applicant that applies to the main RoATP application route cannot pass and be listed on RoATP until they have provided a valid offer on the course directory."

I was under the impression that this portal was for SFA contracted providers only, but the announcement above suggests not.

The SFA's Course Directory Provider Portal for apprenticeship data is open and you will need to create your training offer for employers by 13th January 2017.

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.
 
For further support you can contact the Course Directory Support Team:
0844 8115073 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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NOTE:

Make sure you check to see if the frameworks you intend to deliver will be available for new starts from May 2017.

Chances are that if there is a replacement standard approved for delivery then the existing framework could well be withdrawn by May 2017.

There will be consultations available at each round of proposed withdrawals and there is a list of withdrawn frameworks on the SFA's site.

Criteria for withdrawals are:


"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)"

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Funding Rates
 
All of the existing frameworks and standards have been placed within these 15 funding bands.
 
Each new standard to be approved will also be placed within a funding band.

There are spreadsheets available from the SFA with funding information for starts up to May and from May 2017 for both standards and frameworks.
 
Apprenticeship frameworks: funding bands from May 2017

Apprenticeship standards: funding bands from May 2017

Check out the Skills Funding Agency You Tube channel for presentations on the Apprenticeship Reform.

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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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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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