Correspondence

Business Update - Issue 39 (December 2018)

Updated 1 November 2021

This correspondence was withdrawn on 21 September 2023

This page has been withdrawn as it is out of date.

You can read more about apprenticeships on GOV.UK.

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

Applies to England

1. Apprentices invited to feedback on their experience

1.1 Inform

Following our new “what employers are saying” feature, which invites employers to feedback on specific aspects of their apprenticeship programmes, we have now just released a new text messaging survey inviting apprentices to provide feedback on their apprenticeship experience.

For more information read the ESFA Digital Blog.

2. Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers re-opens

2.1 Inform

Following a review of the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP), changes have been made to strengthen the application process. The register will re-open for applications on 12 December and will remain open.

Levy-paying employers who are interested in delivering training to their own employees might wish to apply to the employer-provider route when the register opens.

Further information can be found on GOV.UK. Guidance on what needs to be included in an application will be available when the register opens.

3. National Apprenticeship Awards national winners announced

3.1 Inform

The National Apprenticeship Awards 2018 national winners were announced on 28 November at the 15th annual National Apprenticeship Awards ceremony that took place at Old Billingsgate in London. Over 850 guests attended the ceremony and saw employers The RAF; The British Army; The Royal Navy; BAE Systems; Troup, Bywaters + Anders and KMF Precision Sheet Metal Limited pick up the coveted employer category awards.

National winners and highly commended finalists in both employer and apprentice categories represented a variety of industries and occupations, including the Rising Star national winner Joe Buck from the hospitality sector and employed by Mitchells and Butlers.

Find out more about all winners on GOV.UK.

4. Opportunities Through Apprenticeships

4.1 Inform

A new initiative to increase the number of people from disadvantaged communities taking up high-quality apprenticeships opportunities has been launched.

Four local authorities - Portsmouth, Nottingham, South Tyneside and Torbay – have all signed up to take part in the pilot scheme, pledging to work with employers, training providers and local partners to promote and encourage people to consider doing apprenticeships in key sectors - including engineering, manufacturing, construction and ICT.

Find out more on GOV.UK.

5. Apprenticeship National Minimum Wage increase from April 2019

5.1 Inform

Apprentices are entitled to be paid the National Minimum Wage. The current minimum wage rate for an apprentice is £3.70 per hour and this rate applies to apprentices under 19 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year.

The National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage is increasing from April 2019:

• The apprentice rate (for apprentices aged under 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship) will increase from £3.70 to £3.90. Make sure you know the minimum wage rate to which your apprentice is entitled.

Further information can be found on GOV.UK.

6. New guidance on supporting young apprentices

6.1 Inform

In response to feedback from employers, we have published new guidance with advice and resources to help employers support young apprentices.

This guide will help employers of all sizes and sectors provide effective support for apprentices aged 16 to 24. It includes:

• steps employers can take to make their recruitment practices accessible for young people
• examples of on-the-job support for young apprentices in the workplace
• information on sources of additional funding which employers can use to support young apprentices.

For more information, visit GOV.UK.

7. National Apprenticeship Week 2019

7.1 Remind

A reminder that the date of the 12th annual National Apprenticeship Week - to take place in 2019 – has been announced and will run from 4 to 8 March 2019. The annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships will bring together the whole apprenticeship community to celebrate the impact of apprenticeships on individuals, employers and the economy.

More information, including the theme of National Apprenticeship Week 2019, will be announced before Christmas. Follow @Apprenticeships on Twitter and the National Apprenticeship Service on LinkedIn to keep up to date with announcements as they are made.