Coronavirus Frequently Asked Questions for Apprentices
1st April 2020
Access Training is committed to making sure our apprentices can continue their learning during this time and, in-line with government guidance, have created a set of Frequently Asked Questions to provide answers to commonly asked questions.
1. If I need to self-isolate, what will happen to my apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships have been designed to be responsive to changes in apprentices’ circumstances, for example during a period of illness. If you need to self-isolate, please talk to your employer and us at Access Training about the best way to continue with your apprenticeship. We have e-learning and remote appointments available so that you can keep learning during this time so should be able to continue with your apprenticeship with minimal disruption.
Contact your Trainer Assessor to discuss the appropriate steps if you think this applies to you.
2. I need to take care of myself/a family member. Can I continue my apprenticeship learning at home?
Yes, we have e-learning and remote appointments available so that you can keep learning during this time.
3. My employer is enforcing a work from home policy. Can I continue my apprenticeship learning at home?
Yes, we have e-learning and remote appointments available so that you can keep learning during this time.
4. My employer is asking me to take a period of paid or unpaid leave (sometimes knows as being a ‘furloughed worker’), what happens to my apprenticeship during that time?
Where you are no longer able to work, but have not been made redundant, you can continue with your apprenticeship using e-learning and remote appointments. This is an ideal time to be studying and gaining new knowledge meaning you are up-to-date and ready to return to work at the end of your leave. Your Trainer Assessor will be able to support you with the advice and guidance you need.
5. What happens to apprentices during a period of unpaid leave in terms of monies. Do they have access to Universal Credit?
Universal Credit may be available for both workers and the unemployed alike, as long as they meet the other conditions of entitlement (including that the applicant and their partner have savings of under £16,000 between them). Apprentices may be entitled to access Universal Credit during a period of unpaid leave. They may also have access to Universal Credit even if they were working and being paid. Being laid off or on a lesser number of hours could increase the rate of Universal Credit entitlement.
Apprentices on unpaid leave may also be eligible for other benefits.
Through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, all UK employers will be able to access support to continue paying part of their employees’ salary for those employees that would otherwise have been laid off during this crisis. HMRC will reimburse 80% of furloughed workers wage costs, up to a cap of £2,500 per month.
6. How do I record progress towards my apprenticeship while I am subject to different working conditions like working from home?
You will already be recording your off-the-job training using a log sheet. Please continue to use this in the coming weeks.
7. My employer is laying me off/making me redundant. What happens to my apprenticeship?
Please speak to your Trainer Assessor if you are made redundant as your apprenticeship training may be able to continue. We may still be able to offer training, based on your circumstances, in the short term or even be able to support you in finding a new employer.
8. If I can’t work/attend training, will I still be paid?
An apprenticeship is a job with training, so even when you are not able to do your training, you are still employed. You will be paid in line with the details in your employment contract.
Where you are unable to work, we suggest speaking to your employer about their polices on pay. The government is providing a range of support to employers to help them retain and pay the wages of employees (including apprentices) during the coming months.
9. What do I do if I think I am not well enough to work (especially in a health setting)?You should follow the government’s guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19).
10. What will happen if I am not well enough to take my end-point assessment?If you are unwell, or in a period of self-isolation, and unable to attend your end-point assessment, please contact your Trainer Assessor as soon as you are able, to allow them maximum time to re-schedule your assessment.
If your query isn’t answered here, please contact us on [email protected]
1. If I need to self-isolate, what will happen to my apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships have been designed to be responsive to changes in apprentices’ circumstances, for example during a period of illness. If you need to self-isolate, please talk to your employer and us at Access Training about the best way to continue with your apprenticeship. We have e-learning and remote appointments available so that you can keep learning during this time so should be able to continue with your apprenticeship with minimal disruption.
Contact your Trainer Assessor to discuss the appropriate steps if you think this applies to you.
2. I need to take care of myself/a family member. Can I continue my apprenticeship learning at home?
Yes, we have e-learning and remote appointments available so that you can keep learning during this time.
3. My employer is enforcing a work from home policy. Can I continue my apprenticeship learning at home?
Yes, we have e-learning and remote appointments available so that you can keep learning during this time.
4. My employer is asking me to take a period of paid or unpaid leave (sometimes knows as being a ‘furloughed worker’), what happens to my apprenticeship during that time?
Where you are no longer able to work, but have not been made redundant, you can continue with your apprenticeship using e-learning and remote appointments. This is an ideal time to be studying and gaining new knowledge meaning you are up-to-date and ready to return to work at the end of your leave. Your Trainer Assessor will be able to support you with the advice and guidance you need.
5. What happens to apprentices during a period of unpaid leave in terms of monies. Do they have access to Universal Credit?
Universal Credit may be available for both workers and the unemployed alike, as long as they meet the other conditions of entitlement (including that the applicant and their partner have savings of under £16,000 between them). Apprentices may be entitled to access Universal Credit during a period of unpaid leave. They may also have access to Universal Credit even if they were working and being paid. Being laid off or on a lesser number of hours could increase the rate of Universal Credit entitlement.
Apprentices on unpaid leave may also be eligible for other benefits.
Through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, all UK employers will be able to access support to continue paying part of their employees’ salary for those employees that would otherwise have been laid off during this crisis. HMRC will reimburse 80% of furloughed workers wage costs, up to a cap of £2,500 per month.
6. How do I record progress towards my apprenticeship while I am subject to different working conditions like working from home?
You will already be recording your off-the-job training using a log sheet. Please continue to use this in the coming weeks.
7. My employer is laying me off/making me redundant. What happens to my apprenticeship?
Please speak to your Trainer Assessor if you are made redundant as your apprenticeship training may be able to continue. We may still be able to offer training, based on your circumstances, in the short term or even be able to support you in finding a new employer.
8. If I can’t work/attend training, will I still be paid?
An apprenticeship is a job with training, so even when you are not able to do your training, you are still employed. You will be paid in line with the details in your employment contract.
Where you are unable to work, we suggest speaking to your employer about their polices on pay. The government is providing a range of support to employers to help them retain and pay the wages of employees (including apprentices) during the coming months.
9. What do I do if I think I am not well enough to work (especially in a health setting)?You should follow the government’s guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19).
10. What will happen if I am not well enough to take my end-point assessment?If you are unwell, or in a period of self-isolation, and unable to attend your end-point assessment, please contact your Trainer Assessor as soon as you are able, to allow them maximum time to re-schedule your assessment.
If your query isn’t answered here, please contact us on [email protected]
Share this post
