Business Update - Issue 27 (November 2017)
Updated 1 November 2021
Applies to England
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1. Apprenticeship service update and feedback
Inform
Since the launch of the apprenticeship service thousands of employers have successfully used it to plan and support their apprenticeship programmes.
If you are a levy-paying employer, you can set up an account to manage your apprentices, choose a training provider and then make payments to them for the training they deliver.
We’re always looking at ways to improve the service so we encourage all employers to use the in-service feedback buttons, which you can find throughout the service. We have already delivered enhancements to the service from feedback we have received. For example, employers and providers are now able to search for apprentices in their account simply by inputting an apprentice’s name. Providers are also able to do a search by using an apprentice’s unique learner number.
2. Feedback from non-levy paying employers
Action
If you’re not a levy-paying employer, you won’t be able to register for an apprenticeship service account until April 2019 but you can use other parts of the service on GOV.UK to help you plan your apprenticeship programme right now. All employers can use the service to estimate how much an apprenticeship may cost and to find the right apprenticeship training and training provider to deliver it.
We would like to gather views from employers that do not pay the levy, in particular, we want to find out about your needs for apprenticeship training and what services you would like to see in an online apprenticeship service. If you are an employer who doesn’t pay the apprenticeship levy, please let us have your views by completing our short survey.
3. Register of apprenticeship training providers: deadline for applications extended
Action
The register of apprenticeship training providers opened for applications on 25 September and was due to close on 27 October 2017. We have extended the deadline by a short period and the register will now close for applications at 5pm on Friday, 3 November 2017.
This will be the final time the register opens before we review the register to ensure that it continues to offer employers confidence that those listed can deliver the highest quality apprenticeship training. We have extended the deadline to ensure that all new providers that want to join have an opportunity to do so.
If you have already made an application to this third opening, your application will be unaffected by this extension, you can still review and make any changes up until the new closing date. If you are already listed on the apprenticeship register you do not need to take any action.
4. Oyster card for apprentices
Inform
Apprentices aged 18, or over, living in a London borough and in the first year of an approved apprenticeship may be eligible for an Apprentice Oyster photocard – offering up to 30% off adult-rate Travelcards and Bus & Tram Pass season tickets.
More information can be found on the Transport for London website.
5. National Apprenticeship Awards 2017 – regional winners announced
Inform
Winners in the National Apprenticeship Awards 2017 regional heats were announced at six ceremonies held during October. In the next stage of the process, national finalists will be announced in early December, before national winners are announced at a ceremony in London on 18th January.
Find out about winners in your region by visiting GOV.UK.
6. National Apprenticeship Week 2018 – date announced
Inform
National Apprenticeship Week 2018 will take place from 5 to 9 March 2018. Themes for the week will be announced in due course. Please follow @Apprenticeships on Twitter; National Apprenticeship Service on LinkedIn and visit GOV.UK for announcements being made.
7. Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network
Inform
The Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network, chaired by Helen Grant MP, champions apprenticeships and diversity amongst employers and encourages more people from underrepresented groups, including those with disabilities, women and members of the black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, to consider apprenticeships.
The network is looking to grow the number of its member. If you are interested in joining, find out more on GOV.UK.