Apprenticeship Agreement
Notes and references
Full details including relevant addendums to the agreement signed as part of this application can be found here https://www.gov.uk/take–on–anapprentice/apprenticeship–agreement
Note 3. When the apprenticeship agreement must be in place
An apprenticeship agreement must be in place when an individual starts a statutory apprenticeship programme and should remain in place throughout the apprenticeship. The end date, for standards, is when the end-point assessment has been completed. The end date, for frameworks, is when the final relevant qualification has been completed.
Note 4. The ‘practical period’
The practical period if the period for which an apprentice is expected to work and receive training under an approved English apprenticeship agreement. The practical period does not include the end-point assessment. For the purpose of meeting the Education and Skills Funding Agency funding requirements, the start date of the practical period must be the same as the start date on the commitment statement, the Individual Learner record and the Apprenticeship Service account, if applicable.
Note 9. Specifying the amount of off-the-job training
This is a requirement of the Apprenticeships Regulations 2017. Off-the-job training is a critical requirement of apprenticeships and, in order to meet the Education and Skills Funding Agency’s funding rules, this must be at least 20% of the apprentices paid hours over the total duration of the apprenticeship (until gateway for standards). Off-the-job training can only be received by an apprentice during their normal working hours. Maths and English, up to and including level 2, does not count toward the minimum 20% off-the-job training requirement. The amount of off-the-job training should be agreed with the main provider. The provider must account for relevant prior learning the apprentice has received, and reduce the content and duration of off-the job training as necessary to achieve occupational competence. All apprenticeships must be of minimum duration of 12 months and include at least 20% off-the-job training.
Note 10. Off-the-job training definition
Off-the-job training is defined as training which is received by the apprentice, during the apprentice’s normal working hours, for the purpose of achieving the standard or framework connected to the apprenticeship. It is not training received by the apprentice for the sole purpose of enabling the apprentice to perform the work to which the apprenticeship agreement relates.
Glossary of Terms | |||
Small employers Employers with 50 or fewer employees are exempt from the 5% contribution for apprentices aged 16-18
| |||
Off Job Training Off-the-job training is defined as learning which is undertaken outside of the normal day-to-day working environment and leads towards the achievement of an apprenticeship This can include training that is delivered at the apprentice’s normal place of work but must not be delivered as part of their normal working duties. | |||
Included; · The teaching of theory · Practical training & practice · Learning support · Time spent writing assessments/assignments/self-study · PREVENT/safeguarding/equality, diversity and inclusion training · Health & safety training · Attendance at workshops and seminars · Research · Reading trade publications/CPD activity · Researching progression
| Not included; · English & maths · Progress reviews or on programme assessments · Training outside the apprentices ‘normal’ working hours | ||
Apprenticeship levy This applies to all organisations with a pay bill over £3m annually
| |||
VAT Value Added Tax will be applied to all invoices raised at the prevailing rate
| |||
Functional Skills | |||
English £471 (for each level) | Maths £471 (for each level) | ICT £0 (for each level)
| |
Apprenticeship Frameworks Frameworks have existed for many years and typically include a diploma specialising in the chosen profession or trade, functional skills in English & maths (and ICT where appropriate) and the application of learning and thinking skills
| |||
Apprenticeship Standards Standards are new and have been developed in consolation between government and employers. Typically, they include English & maths, a period of professional development and at the end an assessment consisting of an examination, attendance at an interview panel and the submission of a portfolio of evidence
| |||
Employer incentive There are cash incentives available for taking on an apprentice aged between 16&18 for qualifying employers. Your training advisor can provide further details.
| |||
Apprenticeship bandings All apprenticeships have been set at a maximum funding band by government. A list of apprenticeship funding bands can be found here; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship–funding–bands
| |||
ESFA Education and Skills Funding Agency. The government agency responsible for the funding of apprenticeships and other adult learning programmes. The ESFA is part of the Department for Education
| |||
Apprenticeship Service For employers seeking to employ and apprentice https://www.gov.uk/take–on–an–apprentice/overview
| |||
End Point Assessment: Once an apprentice has completed their apprenticeship, they will be ‘signed off’ by their employer as ready for end-point assessment of their knowledge and practical capabilities. In most cases, the assessment will be graded and must show the apprentice is fully competent and productive in the occupation. This does not apply to apprenticeship frameworks
| |||
Unique Learner Number The unique learner number is a unique 10-digit numerical number. The majority of people leaving school from 2009 have one. It is designed to help you when you register or enrol on a course. It helps you prove all your learning and achievements from secondary school onwards by allowing education institutions access to your personal learning record. The unique learner number is the education equivalent of your national insurance number. Your unique learner number may already be printed on your exam results slip or certificate from your awarding organisation. It is not to be confused with any Candidate, Exam, or Centre Number that your awarding organisation may have provided to you separately. If you have not received a unique learner number already, you can ask your RM Training representative to obtain one for you, without it we may not be able to secure funding for your qualification. | |||
Individual Learning Plan: Your Individual Learning Plan will be drawn up by you and your trainer and will cover all aspects of your course, include any training you need as well as details of any projects, tests or exams you might need to complete. | |||
Equality and Safeguarding: RM Training promote equality in learning for all, our policies can be accessed via our website and we will make sure that you and your employer are aware of rights and responsibilities under several different pieces of government legislation. Part of your course will involve looking at how this type of legislation affects the sector in which you work. | |||
Safeguarding & Prevent: RM Training recognises its duty to protect our learners from indoctrination into any form of extreme ideology which may lead to the harm of self or others. This is particularly important because of the open access to electronic information through the internet. RM Training aims to safeguard young people through educating them on the appropriate use of social media and the dangers of downloading and sharing inappropriate material which is illegal under the Counter-Terrorism Act. The company will take firm action if any individual or group is perceived to be attempting to influence members of our staff or learner community, either physically or electronically. Our definition of radical or extreme ideology is ‘a set of ideas which could justify vilification or violence against individuals, groups or self.’ Staff are trained to be vigilant for spotting signs of extremist view and behaviours and to always report anything which may suggest a learner is expressing opinions which may cause concern. Our core mission of diversity permeates all we do. We place a strong emphasis on the common values that all communities share such as self-respect, tolerance and the sanctity of life. We work hard to broaden our learners’ experience, to prepare them for life and work in contemporary Britain. We teach them to respect and value the diversity around them as well as understanding how to make safe, well-considered decisions.
| |||
Find an Apprenticeship Service: For individuals to search for an available apprenticeship https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch | |||
Number of employees The number of employees is defined as the number of people with a contract of employment. This must be calculated using the average number of employees with a contract of employment in the 365 days before the apprentice is recruited. | |||
State Aid is any advantage granted by public authorities through state resources on a selective basis to any organisations that could potentially distort competition and trade in the European Union (EU). De Minimus State Aid The European Commission considers that public funding which complies with the de minimis regulation has a negligible impact on trade and competition, and does not require notification and approval. The total de minimis aid which can be given to a single recipient is €200,000 over a 3-year fiscal period. Unless stated otherwise this agreement falls under the definition of De Minimis State Aid | |||
Age at enrolment An individual can start an apprenticeship after the last Friday in June of the academic year in which they have their 16th Birthday | |||
Apprenticeship Funding bands | |||
Funding band | Limit | Total funding including English | Total funding including English & Maths |
Band 1 | £1,500 |
|
|
Band 2 | £2,000 |
|
|
Band 3 | £2,500 |
|
|
Band 4 | £3,000 |
|
|
Band 5 | £3,500 |
|
|
Band 6 | £4,000 |
|
|
Band 7 | £5,000 |
|
|
Band 8 | £6,000 |
|
|
Band 9 | £9,000 |
|
|
Band 10 | £12,000 |
|
|
Band 11 | £15,000 |
|
|
Band 12 | £18,000 |
|
|
Band 13 | £21,000 |
|
|
Band 14 | £24,000 |
|
|
Band 15 | £27,000 |
|
|
Individualised Learner Record Guidance | |
Ethnicity | |
White | |
31 | English /Welsh /Scottish /Northern Irish /British |
32 | Irish |
33 | Gypsy or Irish Traveller |
34 | Any other white background |
Mixed / multiple ethnic group | |
35 | White and Black Caribbean |
36 | White and Black African |
37 | White and Asian |
38 | Any other mixed / multiple ethnic background |
Asian / Asian British | |
39 | Indian |
40 | Pakistani |
41 | Bangladeshi |
42 | Chinese |
43 | Any other Asian background |
Black / African / Caribbean / Black British | |
44 | African |
45 | Caribbean |
46 | Any other Black / African / Caribbean background |
Other ethnic group | |
47 | Arab |
98 | Any other ethnic group |
99 | Not provided |
National Minimum Wage / National Living Wage | |
There are different levels of national minimum wage, depending on your age and whether you are an apprentice. The current rates (from April 2018) are: | |
£8.21 the main rate for workers aged 25 and over | |
£7.70 workers aged 21 to 24 | |
£6.15 workers aged 18 to 20 | |
£4.35 worker under 18 * If you are of compulsory school age you are not entitled to the national minimum wage. Some of your other employment rights are also different. | |
£3.90 apprentice rate | |
Prior attainment | |
Code | Qualification type |
09 | Entry level certificates, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Skills for Life, Functional Skills at entry level (English, maths and ICT), Awards, Certificates, and Diplomas at entry level, Foundation Learning at entry level |
01 | GCSEs grades (5 or more D-G or fewer than 5 A-C), BTEC Introductory Diplomas and Certificates, OCR Nationals, Key Skills at level 1, Skills for Life, Functional Skills at level 1, BTEC Awards, Certificates, and Diplomas at level 1, Functional Skills at level 1, Foundation Learning Tier pathways, NVQs at level 1, QCF level 1 |
02 | GCSEs grades (5 or more A*-C), Key Skills level 2, Skills for Life/Functional Skills at level 2, BTEC Awards, Certificates, and Diplomas at level 2, OCR Nationals, NVQs at level 2, QCF level 2 |
03 | A levels (2 or more advanced passes), GCE in applied subjects, International Baccalaureate, Key Skills level 3, BTEC Awards, Certificates, and Diplomas at level 3, BTEC Nationals, OCR Nationals, NVQs at level 3 |
04 | Certificates of Higher Education, HNC’s, BTEC Professional Diplomas, Certificates and Awards, HNC’s and NVQ’s at level 4 |
05 | HNDs, Foundation Degrees, Other higher diplomas, HNDs, BTEC Professional Diplomas, Certificates and Awards |
97 | Other* |
98 | Not Known* |
99 | None |
*Not to be used unless documented evidence shows reason for coding | |
Learning difficulty or health code |
|
| |
04 | Visual impairment | 14 | Autism spectrum |
05 | Hearing impairment | 15 | Asperger syndrome |
06 | Disability affecting mobility | 16 | Temporary disability |
07 | Profound complex disabilities | 17 | Speech, language and communication needs |
08 | Social and emotional difficulties | 18 | Temporary disability |
09 | Mental health difficulty | 93 | Other physical disability |
10 | Moderate learning difficulty | 94 | Other specific disability |
11 | Severe learning difficulty | 95 | Other medical condition |
12 | Dyslexia | 96 | Other learning disability |
13 | Dyscalculia | 97 | Other disability |
|
| 98 | Prefer not to say |
Primary disability |
|
| |
04 | Visual impairment | 13 | Dyscalculia |
05 | Hearing impairment | 14 | Autism spectrum disorder |
06 | Disability affecting mobility | 15 | Asperger’s syndrome |
07 | Profound complex disabilities | 16 | Temporary disabilities |
08 | Social and emotional difficulties | 17 | Speech, language & communication needs |
09 | Mental health difficulties | 93 | Other physical disability |
10 | Moderate learning difficulties | 94 | Other specific disability |
11 | Severe hearing difficulties | 95 | Other medical condition |
12 | Dyslexia | 96 | Other learning disability |
| 97 | Other disability | |
90 | Multiple learning disabilities | ||
98 | Prefer not to say | ||