Update: issue 332 (26 October 2016)
Updated 26 October 2016
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2016
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sfa-update-october-2016/update-issue-332
1. New apprenticeship funding to transform investment in skills
Action
The government has published updated information on GOV.UK about the changes to the apprenticeship funding system, including guidance for employers on implementing the changes and the apprenticeship levy.
This includes:
- final funding bands
- draft apprenticeship funding and performance management rules for 2017 to 2018
- apprenticeship funding from May 2017
- updated information about how the levy will work
You can access links to all the relevant information on the apprenticeship changes page of GOV.UK.
If you have feedback on how we can make the funding rules clearer or better understood, please email FundingRulesFeedback@sfa.bis.gov.uk by 18 November 2016.
2. Register of apprenticeship training providers
Action
The register of apprenticeship training providers (RoATP) opened for applications on Tuesday, 25 October. It will close at 5pm on Friday, 25 November.
Any organisation that wants to deliver apprenticeship training from May 2017 must successfully apply to be on the RoATP.
You will need to be registered on the SFA’s e-tendering portal, Bravo, in order to apply.
We have published further guidance, including an application instruction document to guide you through the application process.
3. Procurement for delivering apprenticeship training to non-levy employers
Action
SFA is running a procurement exercise for the delivery of apprenticeship training to employers who will not have a digital account.
Organisations interested in working with such employers should apply to the register of apprenticeship training providers by the main application route. They can find further information on this through the register of apprenticeship training providers page of GOV.UK.
The invitation to tender for the procurement opened on Contracts Finder on Tuesday, 25 October and will close at 5pm on Friday, 25 November.
Organisations who make successful applications will begin their contracts on 1 May 2017 and finish on 31 July 2018.
4. Apprenticeship end-point assessment – workshops
Action
A new programme to help organisations prepare for and deliver end-point assessment for apprenticeship standards starts in November. The 15 workshop packages will help organisations understand the options and opportunities of end-point assessment.
All packages are part-subsidised - book here.
Please contact Zoe Bolger at zoe@strategicdevelopmentnetwork.co.uk.
5. AELP conference
Information
The AELP autumn conference is on Tuesday, 1 November. Peter Lauener (Chief Executive, SFA, and also of EFA and the Institute of Apprenticeships) and Kirsty Evans (SFA) are among the speakers.
Full details of the conference speakers are available on the AELP conference website.
6. Skills minister’s termly letter
Information
Skills and apprenticeships minister Robert Halfon has written to all FE and sixth-form colleges and independent training providers to update them on the government’s FE reform programme.
The minister’s letter and policy brief are available on GOV.UK.
7. Redesigned National Careers Service website now live
Information
The new-look National Careers Service website went live this week. The website still has job profiles, course search and skills health check tools and ways to contact a careers adviser, but the new look means it is now also designed to work on mobile, smart phones and tablets.
This is just the beginning of a series of ongoing developments to the website informed by customer feedback.
For more information contact Rob.Boreham-Fish@sfa.bis.gov.uk.
8. ‘Find apprenticeship training’ tool now live
Information
The find apprenticeship training tool for employers is now live, and employers are now able to search for suitable apprenticeships and identify approved training providers who can deliver that training.
The tool contains details of training providers who currently offer apprenticeships. It will be updated in 2017 to reflect the new register of apprenticeship training providers.
You will need to keep your information up to date to reflect any changes to your apprenticeship offer.
For further information or related queries, please email the course directory provider portal.