This update comes from Gov.uk, you can find this announcement and any updates here.
1. Apprenticeship service update
15,000 employer accounts on the apprenticeship service
More than 15,000 employer accounts have now been created on the apprenticeship service since the introduction of the apprenticeship levy last year. This means that employers who pay the apprenticeship levy can now use their apprenticeship service account to:
- receive funds to spend on apprenticeships
- manage apprentices
- manage payments to training providers
- transfer apprenticeship funds to other employers
If you are an employer that pays the apprenticeship levy or are receiving a transfer of apprenticeship service funds register for your apprenticeship service account. Watch our support videos and read our online guidance for more information.
New and enhanced functions to help employers are being added to the service all the time. For example, employers who have registered apprentices on the apprenticeship service will periodically be invited to feedback on specific aspects of their apprenticeship programmes. The first version of this feature asks for feedback on their training providers. The results of this are available on Find apprenticeship training.
From November 2018, levy paying employers with an apprenticeship service account will notice a new “Recruitment” link on their account home page. Levy paying employers now have the option to either advertise apprenticeship vacancies through their chosen training provider, or directly access the Recruit an apprentice tool, to create and post apprenticeship vacancies on Find an apprenticeship and manage applications themselves.
Employers that do not pay the apprenticeship levy and do not have an account on the apprenticeship service can still post their vacancies on Recruit an apprentice, either with the support of their training provider or by contacting the National Apprenticeship Service on 08000 150 600.
For more information read the ESFA Digital Blog.
2. Conference announcements
Package of measures unveiled to boost apprenticeships
The government has announced a package of reforms to ensure the apprenticeship levy provides people with the skills they need to succeed.
The changes are aimed at providing flexibility for businesses so they can take full advantage of the benefits of employing apprentices whilst helping as many people as possible to find the right training to equip them for the new economy. The reforms include enabling employers to transfer up to a quarter of their apprenticeship funds to any other employer, boosting the number benefitting from high-quality apprenticeship training, and a further £5 million for the Institute for Apprenticeships to introduce new standards and update existing standards to ensure more courses can be offered.
Find out more about how transfers work and watch a support video:
Withdrawal of apprenticeship frameworks
As part of the apprenticeship reform programme, we have published a list of apprenticeship frameworks and the date when they will be withdrawn. Employers should visit this page to find out more about the withdrawal of frameworks relevant to their sector or job roles.
Please note that we will move from apprenticeship frameworks to standards by 2020 and all frameworks will be withdrawn by the 2020 to 2021 academic year.
3. Work based learners and the Prevent statutory duty
Guidance for further education providers in England has recently been published on GOV.UK with information on the Prevent duty – stopping young people from being drawn into terrorism. This guidance focusses on arrangements where learning providers undertake responsibility for learners in a work based learning environment but much of the good practice and recommendations identified are transferable to other learner placements and off site learning.
4. Apprenticeship standards factsheet
The Institute for Apprenticeships has published an apprenticeships standards factsheet for any employer that has identified a skills shortage in their sector or who would like to create an alternative route for recruitment through the development of an occupational apprenticeship standard.
5. Benefits of apprenticeships guide
The guide to achieving the benefits of apprenticeships has been updated.
This guide includes statistics on the benefits of apprenticeships to productivity and retention, tips on how to measure and maximise the benefits, and inspiring stories from employers.
6. National Apprenticeship Awards national finalists announced
The National Apprenticeship Awards 2018 national finalists have been announced. National finalists represent wide-ranging industries and occupations and include nine Rising Star regional winners, who go head to head at the national final, taking place at Old Billingsgate in London, on Wednesday 28 November 2018.
The nine regional ‘Rising Stars’ were recognised during the regional ceremonies and over 7000 votes have been cast to decide who the national winner will be.
7. WorldSkills UK Live
WorldSkills UK LIVE will be held on 15 to 17 November at the NEC Birmingham and brings up to 73,000 young people together with business, Government and education. The event hosts and promotes a diverse range of sectors, from engineering and construction, business and IT, to hospitality and creative arts and provides hands-on experiences which inspire young people to consider apprenticeships, explore skills and vocational pathways. The event aims to motivate young people to find out more about the world of work.
Employers can exhibit at WorldSkills UK Live and can benefit through:
- Showing your commitment to apprenticeships and vocational skills at the nation’s biggest careers event;
- Reaching tens of thousands of young people and adults aged 11 to24, as well as teachers, parents and careers guidance professionals;
- Advertising career opportunities and recruit the best young talent;
- Raising the profile of your organisation and sector;
- Networking with over 200 partners and sponsors.
For more information, visit: WorldSkills UK Live.
8. National Apprenticeship Week 2019 date announced
A reminder that the date of the 12th annual National Apprenticeship Week – to take place in 2019 – was announced earlier this month. NAW2019 will run from 4 to 8 March 2019, with the annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships bringing together the whole apprenticeship community to celebrate the impact of apprenticeships on individuals, employers and the economy.
More information on National Apprenticeship Week 2019 will be announced on GOV.UK and on social media channels. Follow @Apprenticeships on Twitter and via the National Apprenticeship Service on LinkedIn to keep up to date.
