Business Update - Issue 65 (December 2020)
Updated 1 November 2021
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skills-funding-agency-business-update/business-update-issue-65
In this edition of Business Update, our round-up of business-critical news and information from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA):
- National Apprenticeship Week – Theme Announced
- National Apprenticeship Awards – Live Broadcast
- The Association of Apprentices: Survey Launched
- Find Apprenticeship Training - Redesign
- Apprenticeship Service Support – Videos
- Preparing for new rules from 1 January 2021 – Flyer
Please share Business Update with your colleagues who might like to register for web alerts. This will notify them by email when we add new editions of Business Update to GOV.UK.
For more information about apprenticeships, you can visit apprenticeships.gov.uk or call 08000 150 600.
1. National Apprenticeship Week – Theme Announced
The theme for the National Apprenticeship Week 2021, which will take place between 8 and 14 February 2021, is “Build the Future” and aims to encourage everyone to consider how apprenticeships help individuals to build the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career.
We are asking employers to help the nation Build the Future by encouraging everyone to consider how apprenticeships can help build organisations for years to come; whilst showing the clear return on investment realised when apprentices are brought into the business.
As a result of the pandemic and many individuals relying on technology and virtual meetings more than ever, National Apprenticeship Week 2021 will be different, but just as exciting. NAW2021 will celebrate the motivating stories of how apprentices have helped business adapt and build during a difficult year.
To support National Apprenticeship Week 2021, individuals, employers, training providers and communities are being encouraged to get involved, to celebrate apprenticeships and how they:
TRAIN apprentices, and future proof their workforce and careers though apprenticeships;
RETAIN apprentices, gaining the skills and knowledge needed by the business, and seeing apprentices thrive, whilst having impact;
ACHIEVE a real return on investment from apprentices; realising the business benefits of apprenticeships, with apprentices progressing in their chosen careers.
A toolkit is available now to support the apprenticeship community with planning their activity for National Apprenticeship Week 2021. Download the toolkit from GOV.UK.
Keep up to date with National Apprenticeship Week 2021 updates by following @Apprenticeships on Twitter, and National Apprenticeship Service on LinkedIn and use the hashtags #NAW2021 #BuildTheFuture in social media activity.
To find out more about apprenticeships, visit: www.apprenticehips.gov.uk.
2. National Apprenticeship Awards – Live Broadcast
The 17th annual National Apprenticeship Awards took place on 25 November. This year’s award winners were recognised via a virtual ceremony, for the first time ever, in an event that celebrated employers, apprentices and apprenticeship champions from a range of regions and sectors. BBC’s Dan Walker hosted the event that was supported by 9 national sponsors.
Read more about the event and the 2020 winners.
Missed the event? You can watch it back on YouTube here.
More information on the National Apprenticeship Awards can be found here: https://appawards.co.uk/.
3. The Association of Apprentices: Survey Launched
The Association of Apprentices is an independent membership organisation for apprentices providing support, information and guidance beyond what apprentices may receive from an employer and/or training provider. The goal is for this to be a user-led community - it is for apprentices but also by apprentices.
The Association of Apprentices is gathering the views of as many apprentices as possible to ensure the organisation works for apprentices. They would like to know the type of content that would be helpful and what would encourage apprentices to join. The survey shouldn’t take more than 5-7 minutes to complete and there is also the chance to win one of 35 Amazon vouchers by completing it.
The survey can be accessed from the Association of Apprentices’ website. For further information, please contact Fiona Burford, Project Director.
4. Find Apprenticeship Training - Redesign
We have redesigned the find apprenticeship training function in the apprenticeship service to make it easier for employers to find the information they need.
Our improvements will:
- Make it easier for employers to compare training providers by displaying their overall ratings in a list.
- Show information on a providers ‘strengths’ and ‘things to improve’, listing (up to) the top 3 for each section.
- Order training provider results by considering employer reviews, achievement rates and distance.
For any queries please visit help.apprenticeships.education.gov.uk or contact the Apprenticeship Service on 08000 150 600.
5. Apprenticeship Service Support – Videos
Users can find videos on how to use different functions of the apprenticeship service in the “Using the apprenticeship service” playlist available on our ESFAGOVUK YouTube Channel.
We have recently made improvements to the following support videos:
- reserving apprenticeship funds
- adding an apprentice to an account
We have also added a new video demonstrating how to apply for an incentive payment for hiring a new apprentice.
how to apply for an incentive payment for hiring a new apprentice
Alongside these we have recordings from our webinars available on the “Apprenticeship service – webinar recordings” playlist and any future recordings will continue to be uploaded here.
Videos created to support the delivery of apprenticeships are available on the “Apprenticeship Support Videos” playlist.
You can also search for help in the apprenticeship service.
6. Preparing for new rules from 1 January 2021 – Flyer
A flyer from the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Alok Sharma, was sent to businesses covering actions they need to take from 1 January 2021. It provides general advice on what businesses must do after the transition period ends on 31 December 2020.
The letters contain QR codes and URLs which direct readers to GOV.UK, where they can view the online transition checker, sector specific webinars and access further guidance.
You can view the flyer here.
7. Support
The Business Support Helpline number in England is:
Freephone: 0800 998 1098.
The helpline provides free, impartial business support and signposting services to businesses in England – which currently includes business advice on COVID-19.
You can also find free support, advice and sources of finance through your local growth hub or speak to an advisor on webchat about support for your business.
DfE coronavirus helpline: 0800 046 8687