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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CONGRATULATIONS to all who have been successful in the Non-Levy procurement!

The ESFA announced the results of the non-levy tender in December and FE Week posted a list of the successful applicants.

It's been a shocking wait for training providers who began this process more than a year ago as this tender was an addition to the first RoATP opening.

For many it's a bitter sweet success to make it on the register as some haven't been able to deliver training without this additional contract, or indeed be eligible to apply for non levy procurement this time around due to the revenue constraints etc.

There's some good news regarding the appeal process though as FE Week announces:

•    Non-levy tender appeals are lucky for some

•    Grade two provider wins non-levy tender appeal!

According to FE Week 32% of the successful applicants will be delivering their first main apprenticeship contract, which makes for a very exciting time ahead!

With this in mind and considering all the new elements involved in apprenticeship delivery, especially for providers who have previously only delivered training as a subcontractor, I thought it would be a good time to recap on some of the new rules, regulations and available resources.

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Subcontracting rules

With the introduction of the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP) and its associated application rules

a main provider must directly deliver some of the apprenticeship training and are not allowed to subcontract it all out.
 
"At the outset of each apprenticeship, a main provider and employer will agree a plan for its delivery. You must directly deliver some of the apprenticeship training and/or on-programme assessment associated with each employer’s apprenticeship programme. By apprenticeship programme we mean the apprentices that are being trained for the employer that has chosen you. The volume of training and/or on-programme assessment that you directly deliver for each employer must have some substance and must not be a token amount to satisfy this rule. It must not be limited to a brief input at the start of each employer’s programme or involve delivery to just a few of a large number of apprentices."
P123 Page 20 Apprenticeship funding and performance-management rules for training providers v4

Take a look at my recent blog regarding the new subcontracting rules which will be in force as from January 2018.

There are some courses available to those who need support transitioning from delivering frameworks to standards, check out the Delivering Standards section below!

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Apprenticeship 20% off the job training and annual leave

The ESFA provided the following clarification announcement yesterday:

"To provide clarification, off-the-job training is an essential part of an apprenticeship and therefore, must take place during employed time. If, by exception, training takes place in an evening, or outside of contracted hours, this should be recognised (for example, through time off in lieu).

Should an apprentice not be able to attend a planned training session (due to leave, sickness, operational pressures) the apprentice should be given the opportunity to catch up on what they missed (e.g. by attending one to one sessions with their provider or using on-line learning materials). As above, this should take place during paid working hours.

The programme is sufficiently flexible to accommodate exceptional periods of leave or sickness."

ESFA Announcement 10-01-2018

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Monthly ILR submissions

As you know a main provider needs to satisfy all of the ESFA's contractual requirements such as monthly ILR submissions.

This can be very complex and frustrating and I've tried to provide as much information as I can in this area.

I recently wrote an updated blog post including the latest versions of documentation, ILR Entry tool and PDSAT application, so rather than repeat this here go check out that post!

As a provider of an ILR compliant MIS system I would also advise that you check out our system too, Athena MIS!

There's no need to mess about amalgamating XML files when you use Athena MIS, all learner types are automatically generated in one ILR.

We offer as much support as possible in creating your error free ILR's in Athena MIS, we will even validate and upload to the Hub for a small monthly fee!

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Ofsted

 In September 2016 Ofsted changed the rules regarding inspections of training providers to include subcontractors.

“Ofsted reserves the right to inspect and grade any subcontractor and its provision as a separate entity”.

Further education and skills inspection handbook Further education and skills inspection handbook Point 36, Page 10.

There has been several news articles in FE Week regarding this ruling as Ofsted haven't inspected any subcontractors as yet, but I would think this is about to change!

•    Halfon: ‘Ofsted must start inspecting subcontractors’ 

•    Milton appears to back subcontractor inspections

Regardless of being a main, employer or supporting provider all are subject to the scrutiny of Ofsted!

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Delivering standards

As many of the frameworks are being withdrawn training providers will have to deliver the new apprenticeship standards sooner rather than later.

I would imagine changing delivery methods from frameworks to standards could be quite daunting but The Education & Training Foundation

have a series of courses to help "progress your delivery of apprenticeship standards".

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

Course fees are reduced for SET members.

"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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Creating 2017 - 2018 ILR's for Validation

I've created this update to give you the latest updated documents and applications for the current 2017 -2018 funding year.

 

Downloads

ILR Learner Entry Tool:
17/18 ILR Learner Entry Tool (V2.1)​ or  The Hub to select other funding years.

User Guide:
ILR learner entry 2017 to 2018 - user guide

Rule Violation Spreadsheet:
ILR Validation Rules 2017 - 18 (v2) spreadsheet.

The FIS:
FIS software application.

The Hub:
Data returns overview: May 2017 document.

 

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Step 1 - ILR Learner Entry

To create a correctly structured XML document you will either need to use an ILR compliant MI system or the SFA's ILR Learner Entry tool.

If you have several people inputting data into the Learner Entry tool you will need to amalgamate all the individually exported XML files to make one XML file prior to import into The Hub.

NOTE: The ILR Learner Entry tool does not validate your data!

Example:

You will have to be super careful when inputting data items such as post codes, as there are strict rules regarding formatting.

You must have a space between the two the two parts of the post code and as this is a mandatory field it cannot be left blank.

If a postcode is unknown or does not apply then ZZ99 9ZZ must be input.

If the format is incorrect then this will throw validation errors in the FIS and stops the validation process from continuing.

All these type of rules can be found in the various SFA funding rules and ILR specification, validation rules and appendices 2017 to 2018 documentation.

Start by:

1. Install the correct ILR Learner Entry tool for the appropriate funding year.

2. Input learner data into ILR Learner Entry tool.

3. If you have lots of people helping to input this information you will end up with several exported XML files.

4. Export your ILR data and validate each individual file in the FIS before amalgamating them.

5. FIS - To start with I would suggest:

    a) Import and Validate an ILR submission
    b) Export Rule Violation Summary Report as PDF.

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Step 2 - Fix Rule Violation Errors

I would recommend that you download the ILR Validation Rules 2017 - 18 (Version 2) spreadsheet so you can find any error codes listed in the Rule Violation Report.
These spreadsheets are periodically updated so you will need to keep an eye out for the latest version.

Fix any errors in the ILR Learner Entry tool before re exporting the ILR and running it through the FIS again.

This could be a very repetitive process so it's best to validate each file individually before you amalgamate them.

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Step 3 - Amalgamating ILR's in the FIS

When you installed the Funding Information System (FIS) on your PC an ILR folder was created too.

This is the default location for all the exports you request from the FIS.

I would suggest the following:

1. Open FIS - select your DataSet and Reference options for the appropriate funding year.

2. Click the Amalgamate check box and nothing else.

3. Click Execute - this allows you to add the individual XML files one at a time.

4. Once ALL of the XML files are added click the Import button.

5. The FIS will amalgamate all the individual files into one XML file.

9. The completed XML file will be automatically exported to the ILR folder.

NEXT:

1. Uncheck Amalgamate and check all the other items you need

Again, to start with I would suggest:

    a) Import and Validate an ILR submission
    b) Rule Violation Summary Report as PDF

2. Click Execute

3. Browse to the ILR folder and select the newly amalgamated ILR XML file

4. Click Import

5. Your data will be validated and a report of any errors will be generated as a PDF. This will be exported to the ILR folder.

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Step 4 - Provider Data Self-Assessment Toolkit (PDSAT)

I would suggest that for best practice you download the PDSAT software and validate your ILR returns before submitting to the Hub.

The PDSAT doesn't validate the ILR the same way as the FIS, PDSAT checks for funding violations and discrepancies which you may not be aware of.

If you have funding issues then you maybe selected for a funding audit by the ESFA who also use this tool for their auditing purposes.

"PDSAT is a tool for analysing learner and learning delivery data. It interrogates Individualised Learner Record (ILR) data and produces reports on this data, so that providers can identify and investigate potential anomalies in the ILR data."

There's been a new version of PDSAT for 2017 - 2018 funding year which works for 2016-2017 too.

It has been designed to:

•    give providers a toolkit to analyse ILR data
•    assist auditors in the audit of providers’ ILR data
•    select audit samples and create a set of audit working papers (for 2016 to 2017).

The user guide and reviewing reports guidance will at least give you some idea of what the PDSAT can do for you.

User guide: reviewing PDSAT reports (2016 to 2017)

The latest PDSAT, version 18, is available to download from the ILR data: check that it meets standards and quality requirements web page or you can Download PDSAT v18.3.02 directly.

If you have any problems you can contact theThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further support.

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Step 5 - Import ILR into The HUB

The Data returns overview: May 2017 document gives you step by step instructions on how to complete the process.

"Each provider should have a single super user... Super users manage access for their users and give them responsibilities within their organisation in the Hub. This allows a super user to restrict what the organisation’s users can view."

For future reference here some links to get you started:

•   Information Management Services: Self Registration

•   The Hub: guide to user roles

•   The Hub: guide to the contracts and finances area

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 Athena MIS & RAIL - ILR Creation and Validation

ILR creation is easy in Athena MIS & Rail and we are continuously adding validation features to make the process as simple as possible.

With just a click of a button the ILR XML document is exported straight from Athena MIS & RAIL.

Watch the videos on how to create an ILR for submission to The Hub.

You can also subscribe to our You Tube channel to receive notification of new videos.

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2017 -2018 Funding Rules

It seems such a long time since the new funding rules where announced for 2017 - 2018 funding year, but as yet haven't been in force due to the non levy procurement and Adult Education Budget delays.

As you know existing contracts where extended and the previous subcontracting rules are to continue until the new contracts for non levy delivery are awarded.

These are covered in Apprenticeship funding and performance management rules - addendum 1 which apply from 1st May to 31st December 2017.

The ESFA will announce the contracts to successful applicants in December for a 'hit the ground running' start in January 2018.

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Subcontracting Rules for Apprenticeships
 
As the 2017-2018 funding rules start as of January 2018, along with the non-levy contracts, I thought I would take another look at the main changes.

•    As the main provider you are responsible for the relationship with the employer.
 
"You must maintain the relationship with each employer at all times. You must not allow a delivery subcontractor to lead that relationship."
P132 Page 21 Apprenticeship funding and performance-management rules for training providers v4

•    As a main provider you must directly deliver some of the apprenticeship training and are not allowed to subcontract it all out.
 
"At the outset of each apprenticeship, a main provider and employer will agree a plan for its delivery. You must directly deliver some of the apprenticeship training and/or on-programme assessment associated with each employer’s apprenticeship programme. By apprenticeship programme we mean the apprentices that are being trained for the employer that has chosen you. The volume of training and/or on-programme assessment that you directly deliver for each employer must have some substance and must not be a token amount to satisfy this rule. It must not be limited to a brief input at the start of each employer’s programme or involve delivery to just a few of a large number of apprentices."
P123 Page 20 Apprenticeship funding and performance-management rules for training providers v4

•    Subcontractors must only be used to complement your own apprenticeship delivery.

"You can use delivery subcontractors to complement your own delivery if requested by an employer and agreed at the start of an apprenticeship. Delivery subcontractors can deliver full or part-apprenticeship frameworks and standards."
P125 Page 20 Apprenticeship funding and performance-management rules for training providers v4

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Point to Note:

As a Main Provider on RoATP you can deliver apprenticeships as a
Main or Supporting provider.

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Subcontracting Rules for Advanced Learner Loans
 
There are also new funding rules regarding subcontracting available on the slides from the Advanced learner loans webinar - July 2017 and the main documentation: Advanced learner loans funding rules 2017 to 2018.

Funding Rules key changes:

•    Reduction in the number of guided learning hours for designated qualifications at Levels 4, 5 and 6.
 
•    Providers must recruit loans learners directly and not engage a broker or third party to recruit loans learners on their
     behalf.
 
•    Delivery of loans-funded provision must be done directly – subcontracting is not permitted. To support this direct centre
     approval or direct qualification approval from an Awarding Organisation must be held.
 
•    Learner eligibility extended to members of the UK armed forces serving overseas, and family members living with them,
     who are aged 19+.

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Subcontracting Rules for Adult Education Budget
 
There are also new funding rules regarding subcontracting from an AEB contract as covered in the Adult education budget webinar - July 2017:

•    Reduction in level of subcontracting
 
•    Sector-wide transparency
 
•    Second level subcontracting not allowed from 1 August
 
•    Key requirements:
        - secure permissions to subcontract for the first time
        - publish subcontracting fees and charges
        - declare subcontracting arrangements to us twice a year.

All the new rules are covered in the Adult education budget: funding and performance management rules 2017 to 2018 documentation.

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Ofsted Obligations for Subcontractors
 
There are several points to note in the Further education and skills inspection handbook Further education and skills inspection handbook for use from 4th September 2017.

Even as a subcontractor you will be in scope for inspection when your main provider is inspected or individually on your subcontracted provision.
 
"As part of the inspection, inspectors may inspect any provision carried out on behalf of the provider through subcontract(s) or partnership arrangements, including by subcontractors that hold additional direct contracts of their own. Typically, inspection visits to, or communications with, subcontractors that are in scope are likely to include the inspection of the direct contract holder’s arrangements to quality assure and improve the provision."
Further education and skills inspection handbook Further education and skills inspection handbook Point 34, Page 10.

Basically you can't avoid Ofsted!

“Ofsted reserves the right to inspect and grade any subcontractor and its provision as a separate entity against this framework and handbook.”
Further education and skills inspection handbook Further education and skills inspection handbook."

Further education and skills inspection handbook Further education and skills inspection handbook Point 36, Page 10.

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New Providers

As a Main Provider on RoATP you can deliver apprenticeships as a Main or Supporting provider.

"Where a provider comes into the scope of Ofsted inspection, for example when a provider gains a new contract with, or grant or loans facility from, the Secretary of State for Education, the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA)8 or predecessor funding agencies or because of funding through the apprenticeship levy, it will normally be inspected within three years of the start of the contract or grant or drawing down of funding."

Further education and skills inspection handbook Further education and skills inspection handbook Point 14, Page 7.

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Important Information on Monitoring Financial Assurance!

At this time of year the ESFA have made their selection of training providers on which to perform a funding audit and their R12 ILR submission will be used for this purpose.

The ESFA make their funding audit selections based on how well the ILR’s have been created and how the data performs against PDSAT.

There are several documents available on the ESFA web site which cover how training providers are monitored for financial assurance during a specific year, eg; 2016 – 2017.

ESFA financial assurance: monitoring the funding rules.

"Lists the current areas that we are monitoring and working with the sector on during the course of the funding year. It gives the ESFA assurance that provision we buy meets our published funding rules."

• Dawn Ward CBE, Letter to the sector: February 2017
  
  
• Monitoring the Funding Rules -2016 - 2017
  
  
• Funding Monitoring Reports User Guide

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What is PDSAT?

PDSAT is the Provider Data Self-Assessment Toolkit, software available from the ESFA for you to keep on top of the funding aspect of your data management.

"It interrogates Individualised Learner Record (ILR) data and produces reports on this data, so that providers can identify and investigate potential anomalies in the ILR data."
ESFA - ILR data: check that it meets standards and quality requirements

You should not only be validating your ILR in FIS but also run it through PDSAT to make sure you don’t have any funding errors which won't be picked up by the FIS.

The FIS checks the validation of your ILR in terms of correct XML formatting including; invalid post codes and NI's etc and the required data to be submitted in your ILR's.

The PDSAT checks for the financial implications such as duplicate learning aims, non funded postcodes and apprenticeship payments.

It's expected that you use PDSAT before every ILR submission as part of your validation routine and each error MUST be corrected before the next ILR return.

If you follow this process then you won't run the risk of nasty surprises should you be selected for an ESFA funding audit.

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POINTS TO NOTE!

• Be aware, include it in your data management routine and you won’t get any nasty surprises!
  
  
• At the moment the PDSAT is only available for 2016 – 2017 ILR’s and as there are two returns left to submit for 2016 – 2017 funding year it's imperative to start now!
  
  
• Some of the issues returned by PDSAT are not provided by the FIS so you could be unaware that you have any funding issues until the ESFA come calling!
  
  
• Basically there is no excuse to be in the dark when it comes to issues raised by the ESFA’s funding audit as they use this exact software to check your ILR’s for discrepancies!

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The Importance of R13 & R14!

The last two ILR submissions in the funding year are very important and are outlined in the letter from Dawn Ward CBE:

• "If you have data errors or a higher volume of queries at the end of the funding year following the closure of R14 ILR return, the SFA may:
  
  recover funding where there is confidence the claim has been made in error
  
  
• conduct assurance visits for specific issues before the end-of-year reconciliation statements are issued - even if that delays your reconciliation statements
  
  
• ensure these issues inform the process for selecting providers for audit in future funding years.
  
  You must correct records before the close of the R14 ILR data submission where you identify that the data or funding claim is incorrect. You can continue to use the existing provider data self-assessment toolkit to support you in correcting any identified data issues prior to your next submission."

Dawn Ward CBE, Letter to the sector: February 2017

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There's Still Time to Validate!

OK, so if you haven't checked your ILR's in PDSAT you still have time!

Download the PDSAT application and documentation from the links below or visit the ESFA's PDSAT web page.

• PDSAT V17 Application
  
  
• User guide: reviewing PDSAT reports - version 17
  
  
• Provider data self-assessment toolkit (PDSAT) user guide: version 17
  
  
• Provider data self-assessment toolkit (PDSAT) FAQ: version 17
  
  

Download and install the PDSAT application, you will also be prompted during the installation process to install some prerequisite software if you don't already have it.

It is pretty straight forward to import your latest ILR and run the reports.

You have time before R14 is due on 19th October to rectify any funding anomalies or at the very least become aware of them!

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TIP:

As there are potentially 75 reports to generate I would suggest you go to the Settings tab and select to
EXCLUDE reports with zero records.

In the Reports tab you can then select (check box to left of Report ID) to run all the reports
and only have those returned which have issues.

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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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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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