Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are a framework consisting of a National Vocational Qualifications, Key Skills qualification and a technical certificate. Learning takes place both in the workplace and with a local learning provider.
Guidance, information and announcements...
Introduction of the 12 month minimum duration for Apprenticeships
Following the announcement by John Hayes Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning on 19 December 2011, the minimum duration of 12 months for Apprenticeships for those aged 16-18 will start in August 2012.
Further information can be found in the 2012/13 Funding Rules and will apply to all new starts from 1 August 2012 onwards.
For further infomation please read the Introduction of the 12 month minimum duration for Apprenticeships statement.
In light of Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England (SASE) requirements for Apprenticeship Frameworks, the Activity Costing Model has been updated to ensure it remains fit for purpose. The Activity Cost Form and accompanying guidance should be used by the Issuing Authorities in gathering activity information. (Version 2 published 29 November 2010)
Apprenticeships 2010/11 Funding Requirements, version 2 sets out the way in which the Skills Funding Agency will fund Apprenticeships within Employer Responsive provision 2010/11 including funding Apprenticeship provision on behalf of the National Apprenticeship Service. It builds on previous funding guidance from the Learning and Skills Council.
Learner eligibility guidance for 2010/11
Operational review of the Adult Learner and Employer Responsive models
The Learning and Skills Council commissioned RCU to undertake a review of demand-led funding in its first year to evaluate its operational impact and to identify any unintended consequences. In particular the review evaluated:
- Aspects of the demand-led funding formula
- The flexibilities and boundaries between the three models and the potential applicability of demand-led funding to new programmes
- The impact of the new funding arrangements on different types of providers
- The impact of new funding arrangements on different types of learners.
Apprenticeships in schools and colleges on term time only contracts
This briefing note deals with apprentices working in the education sector on term time only contracts and the application of the national minimum wage for Apprentices (Published 20 October 2009).
Hospitality and catering Apprenticeship (framework 220) - note on funding rates
The Apprenticeship in hospitality and catering has recently been updated. There will be a transition period before all the learning aims for the framework are brought into the QCF, during which funding rates for NQF competence-based elements will be higher. This note explains the change, and sets out the future funding rates (Published 1 October 2009).
Use of A51A for 25+ Apprenticeships
This note contains guidance on completing ILR field A51a for all 25+ Apprenticeship starts, so that they correctly are funded at 90% of the 19-24 rate (Published 31 July 2009).
Maximum Contract Value letter sent to providers from Geoff Russell
The letter provides specific details of the package of measures in place to manage the ongoing success of these services to employers and to provide early notification of other options (published 11 June 2009).
Clarification of a legitimate learner start
Clarification as to what constitutes a legitimate learner start following on from Geoff Russell's Maximum Contract Value letter (published 12 June 2009).
Employer responsive standalone rates 2009/10
This briefing note provides additional guidance on changes to standalone rates with the employer responsive funding stream for 2009/10. Giving information on the potential impact on providers, the arrangements for transitional protection and reviews of specific NVQ rates. (Published 8 May 2009).
Please note that Funding Guidance for 2008/09 continued to apply in 2009/10 for areas not described in the Funding Guidance 2009/10. The definitive core funding guidance of interest to all Providers for 2009/10:
Learning and Skills Council Funding Guidance 2009/10 – version 4.3
(Published 25 February 2010)
Learning and Skills Council Funding Guidance 2008/09 - funding rates
Learning and Skills Council Funding Guidance 2008/09 - funding principles, rules and regulations
Learning and Skills Council Funding Guidance 2008/09 - learner eligibility guidance
Learning and Skills Council Funding Guidance 2008/09 - funding formula
Learning and Skills Council Funding Guidance 2008/09 - funding compliance advice and audit guidance
Earlier funding guidance published by the Learning and Skills Council can be found in the LSC archive.
