Latest Framework Withdrawals!

I'm writing this quick post in case you haven't picked up on the latest list of frameworks to be withdrawn.

Batch 5 was announced on Wednesday 13th September along with the following documents:

• Apprenticeship framework delivery list
  
  
• Information about the withdrawal of apprenticeship frameworks
  
  
• List of frameworks for feedback (batch 5)

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Here is a list of frameworks with a withdrawal date that have been confirmed by the issuing authority:

Bus and Coach Engineering and Maintenance - 31/12/2017 - People 1st

Care Leadership and Management - 29/12/2017- Skills for Care

Catering and Professional Chefs - 31-Dec-17 / 30-Apr-18 - People 1st

Funeral Operations and Services - 30/04/2018

Health - Allied Health Profession Support - 29/12/2017- Skills for Health

Health and Social Care - 29/12/2017 - Skills for Care

Hospitality - 31/12/2017 - People 1st

Licensed Hospitality - 30/04/2018 - People 1st

Retail - 31/12/2017 - People 1st

Travel Services - 30/04/2018 - People 1st

This means that no one will be able to start an apprenticeship on any of the above frameworks after their withdrawal date.

All new apprenticeships after these dates will start on the appropriate Standards which replace these frameworks.

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Framework Withdrawal Consultation

The ESFA have opened a survey for your feedback on the batch 5 withdrawals.

The consultation period starts from Wednesday 13th September to 6pm on Wednesday 18th October 2017.

Check out what's on the list and have your say!

"We will announce the outcome of the 4th batch that we consulted on earlier this year at the same time as the outcome of the 5th batch. The frameworks we plan to withdraw from both batches will be withdrawn to new starts no earlier than 1 January 2019."
ESFA

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5th Consultation on Apprenticeship Funding Opens!

FEWeek have just published news regarding the DFE's launch of the 5th consultation survey, calling for feedback from employers and providers regarding the apprenticeship reforms.

Have your say and complete the Apprenticeships Funding Policy Survey and here's a link to the full article on FE Week.

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Has the apprenticeship levy forced you to consider delivering apprenticeships?

For the past 8 months or so I have been writing about the apprenticeship levy and reform, concentrating on what ESFA funded training providers need to know.

Yes, there are huge changes ahead for these providers but it’s time I consider how commercial training providers will be affected too.

Questions to be asked:

1.    Has the apprenticeship levy forced you to consider delivering apprenticeships?
2.    What impact will it have on your business if you are accepted on the Register of Apprenticeship Training
       Providers (RoATP)?
3.    Will your commercial clients have to go elsewhere for training provision to use their levy pot if you’re not on
       RoATP?
4.    Do you know what to do?

I’m taking a look at the process from a beginner’s point of view and as there is a vast amount of information to cover my research will be split over several posts to include:

•    How to apply to RoATP.
•    Who can deliver apprenticeship training?
•    What apprenticeships are available?
•    What rules have to be followed?
•    What qualifications can be delivered?
•    What are the implications?
•    What is data management?

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Part One - Should you apply to the RoATP?

Many commercial training providers may find they are being pushed into applying to the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP), as their clients may now be paying the levy and want to use this to fund training.

There is a whole host of requirements for those new to apprenticeship delivery or indeed ESFA funded provision and getting on the RoATP will be the easy part!

There’s a lot of preparation involved but on the upside there is no limit to the number of apprenticeships you can deliver to levy paying employers, so this could offer potential growth for your company.

You need to ask yourself:

•    How many clients you could potentially loose?

•    How much time and resources will you need to invest?

•    How you will manage the data management and compliance issues?

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What levy paying employers need to know.

The Apprenticeship Levy is a tax specifically to fund apprenticeship training and nothing else!

“You can only use funds in your account to pay for apprenticeship training and assessment for apprentices that work at least 50% of the time in England, and only up to the funding band maximum for that apprenticeship.”  ESFA

The levy can be used for recruiting new apprentices or up skilling existing staff but employers need to consider if the training they want is available as an apprenticeship.

Some of the training employers currently pay for may not be available as an apprenticeship and not all types of qualifications can be delivered.

For example, if an employer simply wants to use their levy pot to pay their favoured commercial training provider to deliver the same short courses they normally receive, the chances are you won’t be able to.

An apprenticeship is for a minimum of one year and must include functional skills maths and English.

Points to Note:

•    Only training providers 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 – only deliver to levy paying employers unless has 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 learner is exempt).
•    Must have safeguarding and prevent duty policies and procedures in place.

There are two types of apprenticeship programmes, frameworks and standards.

Frameworks are being phased out and being replaced by standards, many of which are still in development, and only those which are approved for delivery will be accepted.

Not all apprenticeship standards have a qualification as a part of the programme, but those that do must comply to the ESFA regulations and be available on the Hub.

Check List:

I've put together a check list to bring you up to speed on what you need to know when applying to the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP).

First of all you will need to locate a standard or framework which you are able to deliver making sure you are registered with an awarding body that provides the qualification, if indeed there is one associated with the standard.

You can download a list of occupations available on the apprenticeship standards.

Apprenticeship frameworks

First steps:

1.    Find the standard or framework to deliver.
2.    Make sure you have a UKPRN number.
3.    Register with the ICO.
4.    Register for access to the ESFA e-tendering portal.
5.    Complete your application to RoATP on ESFA Portal – this should open quarterly.
6.    After submission upload your apprenticeship offer to the Course Directory Provider Portal.

Documents to help you apply:

Register of apprenticeship training providers

Application instruction documents:

Joining the register of apprenticeship training providers: application instructions

Register of apprenticeship training providers financial health self-assessment toolkit

Joining the register of apprenticeship training providers: application instructions

Register of apprenticeship training providers e-tendering support guidance

There is a blog post available on how to upload your apprenticeship offer to Course Directory Provider Portal

Further posts include:

•    Ofqual regulated qualifications
•    ESFA funding rules and regulations
•    Data management & ILR specification
•    Ofsted inspection requirements.

If you have any questions drop me an email, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,  I’m only too happy to help.

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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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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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 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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