Correspondence

Business Update - issue 34 (June 2018)

Updated 1 November 2021

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You can read more about apprenticeships on GOV.UK.

You can find the latest from ESFA in our weekly newsletter, ESFA Update.

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skills-funding-agency-business-update/business-update-issue-34-june-2018

1. Apprenticeship funding

Inform

On 17 May, government published a new apprenticeships funding policy, to come into effect on 1 August 2018.

It updates the policy that has been in place since May 2017. The policy explains how government will fund apprenticeship training in England from August 2018 and will apply to all employers, both those paying the levy and those who do not. The following sections of the policy document contain changes:

  1. Funding bands
  2. Transitional support for providers training 16 to 18 year olds on frameworks
  3. Additional payments for individuals
  4. Transfers

We will shortly publish new funding rules, reflecting the updated policy, which will apply to 2018 to 2019.

Apprenticeship funding band structure

Following our consideration of the current funding band structure, we have decided to move to a new 30 band structure for new starts from August 2018. This new structure will include more bands, with fewer levels between bands. The upper limit of the highest funding band will remain at £27,000. These changes will not affect the funding bands for any apprentices who start before 1 August 2018.

We are working with the Institute for Apprenticeships (IfA) to ensure that any new standards that are approved for delivery are allocated to one of the 15 current funding bands, which will apply until August, and to one of the new 30 funding bands, to take effect from August. For more information, read the new apprenticeships funding policy paper.

2. Apprenticeship service update

Inform/action

Transferring levy funds to another employer

If an employer who pays the apprenticeship levy doesn’t plan to use all of the funds in their apprenticeship service account, they can now make a transfer to another employer to support them in taking on apprentices.

Transfers are the first big flexibility we are offering to employers to help make apprenticeships work better for everyone, enabling larger employers to support other employers in their supply chain, sector or local area.

Use the links below for more information:

A practical guide to apprenticeship fund transfers – webinar 13 June, 12:30pm

ACCA, in partnership with the National Apprenticeship Service are presenting a free webinar on 13 June at 12:30pm, ‘Apprenticeship funding transfers – a practical guide.’ Learn how the transfer process works and what you need to do to ensure your business is set up to receive valuable apprenticeship funding and transfers.

Register now.

Find apprenticeship training update

In response to feedback, employers can now search for a specific training provider by name on ‘find apprenticeship training’. This new feature makes it easier to see the full training offer of a training provider that employers are interested in working with.

To keep up to date with the latest developments on the apprenticeship service, follow ESFA digital on Twitter and read our blog posts.

If you have any queries about the apprenticeship service please call the National Contact Centre helpline on 08000 150 600 or email helpdesk@manage-apprenticeships.service.gov.uk.

3. Dress codes guidance

Inform/action

New guidance has been published on GOV.UK for employers who set dress codes, for employees and job applicants who may have to abide by them. This guidance was written following recommendation from the Parliamentary Women and Equalities Select Committee and the Petitions Committee. The guidance sets out how the law might apply in cases of sex discrimination where an employer may require, for example, a female member of staff to wear high heels, make-up or hair at particular length or style.

4. Higher and degree level apprenticeships guide

Inform

We have recently worked with Which? University to produce the 3rd edition ‘higher and degree apprenticeships guide’ where individuals interested in higher and degree level apprenticeships can find out more about the opportunities available. These apprenticeships are available at over 80 universities.

Download the guide.

5. National Apprenticeship Awards 2018

Information

The National Apprenticeship Awards 2018 recently closed for entries. We received almost 1100 applications, an increase of 34% to last year’s awards. Regional judging will start shortly and the regional finalists will be announced on 8 August. Thank you to all our stakeholders, employers and apprentices that have so far supported this year’s National Apprenticeship Awards.

For more information on the awards, visit: appawards.co.uk

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