Coronavirus Frequently Asked Questions for Employers of 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 by employers.
1. Due to business continuity measures all staff are required to be available at their usual place of work. How can my apprentices continue their learning?
If your apprentices are unable to attend their scheduled learning events, there are several options available to you:
2. I am having to move staff into different and/or business critical roles. What happens to their apprenticeship?
It is our goal that apprentices can continue with their apprenticeship wherever possible. Please discuss any moves with your Trainer Assessor as it is likely that they can continue with their studies remotely during this time. If this isn’t possible, we can temporarily pause their learning, enabling them to extend the end date of their apprenticeship. Contact your Trainer Assessor for more guidance.
3. I am asking apprentices to take a period of paid or unpaid leave (sometimes knows as being a ‘furloughed worker’), what happens to their apprenticeship during that time?
Where staff are no longer able to work, but have not been made redundant, their apprenticeship can continue using e-learning and remote appointments. This is an ideal time for them to be studying and gaining new knowledge meaning they 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.
4. What do I do if I think an apprentice is not well enough to work (especially in a health setting)?
Employers should follow the government’s guidance for employers and businesses on coronavirus (COVID-19).
5. I am a non-levy paying employer recruiting for/having apprentices due to start. Can I still go ahead and reserve funds on the system?
Yes. Employers who do not pay the apprenticeship levy are able to reserve apprenticeship funding through the apprenticeship service in line with the published guidance. Access Training are continuing to support employers with ‘contact free’ recruitment and enrolment. Please speak to a member of our sales team if you need any support with this and they will be pleased to help you.
6. What happens to my funding reservation as a non-levy employer, if my apprentice can’t start?
Reservations will expire if they are not turned into a commitment within 3 months of the apprenticeship start date, detailed in the reservation. Where a commitment is needed, and a previous reservation has expired, a new reservation must first be made. Please speak to a member of the sales team if you need any support with this and they will be pleased to help you.
7. Should employers use the ‘Stop’ or ‘Pause’ apprentice facility in the apprenticeship service?
No. We recommend that any changes with the apprenticeship service are carried out by Access Training, you will then be asked to approve any changes made before they take effect.
8. I want to recruit a new Apprentice. Can this still be done?
Yes. Access Training are offering a ‘contact free’ recruitment service where we can advertise, short-list and interview candidates for you remotely. We can even carry out assessments and enrolments digitally meaning you can continue to recruit at any time.
9. I want to put a member of my existing staff onto an Apprenticeship. Can this still be done?
Yes, we can carry out remote assessments and enrolments digitally, meaning you can start your staff on an apprenticeship at any time. Learning can also take place remotely, meaning your staff can start working on their apprenticeship straight away.
10. Where can I find the most up-to-date government advice about Apprenticeships and Covid-19?
Furlough for all staff, including apprentices: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme
ESFA guidance on apprenticeships: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-apprenticeship-programme-response/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-apprentices-employers-training-providers-end-point-assessment-organisations-and-external-quality-assurance-pro#changes-to-learning-and-employment
FAQs from the Association of Employment and Learning Providers: http://www.aelpaskashworth.org.uk/
1. Due to business continuity measures all staff are required to be available at their usual place of work. How can my apprentices continue their learning?
If your apprentices are unable to attend their scheduled learning events, there are several options available to you:
- Access Training are delivering digital and distance learning for all apprentices
- they could be offered additional on-site mentor support
- they could take a short pause in their learning of less than four weeks while still completing by their planned end-date
- they could take a formal break in learning of 4 weeks or more and re-calculate the planned end-date upon their return to learning
2. I am having to move staff into different and/or business critical roles. What happens to their apprenticeship?
It is our goal that apprentices can continue with their apprenticeship wherever possible. Please discuss any moves with your Trainer Assessor as it is likely that they can continue with their studies remotely during this time. If this isn’t possible, we can temporarily pause their learning, enabling them to extend the end date of their apprenticeship. Contact your Trainer Assessor for more guidance.
3. I am asking apprentices to take a period of paid or unpaid leave (sometimes knows as being a ‘furloughed worker’), what happens to their apprenticeship during that time?
Where staff are no longer able to work, but have not been made redundant, their apprenticeship can continue using e-learning and remote appointments. This is an ideal time for them to be studying and gaining new knowledge meaning they 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.
4. What do I do if I think an apprentice is not well enough to work (especially in a health setting)?
Employers should follow the government’s guidance for employers and businesses on coronavirus (COVID-19).
5. I am a non-levy paying employer recruiting for/having apprentices due to start. Can I still go ahead and reserve funds on the system?
Yes. Employers who do not pay the apprenticeship levy are able to reserve apprenticeship funding through the apprenticeship service in line with the published guidance. Access Training are continuing to support employers with ‘contact free’ recruitment and enrolment. Please speak to a member of our sales team if you need any support with this and they will be pleased to help you.
6. What happens to my funding reservation as a non-levy employer, if my apprentice can’t start?
Reservations will expire if they are not turned into a commitment within 3 months of the apprenticeship start date, detailed in the reservation. Where a commitment is needed, and a previous reservation has expired, a new reservation must first be made. Please speak to a member of the sales team if you need any support with this and they will be pleased to help you.
7. Should employers use the ‘Stop’ or ‘Pause’ apprentice facility in the apprenticeship service?
No. We recommend that any changes with the apprenticeship service are carried out by Access Training, you will then be asked to approve any changes made before they take effect.
8. I want to recruit a new Apprentice. Can this still be done?
Yes. Access Training are offering a ‘contact free’ recruitment service where we can advertise, short-list and interview candidates for you remotely. We can even carry out assessments and enrolments digitally meaning you can continue to recruit at any time.
9. I want to put a member of my existing staff onto an Apprenticeship. Can this still be done?
Yes, we can carry out remote assessments and enrolments digitally, meaning you can start your staff on an apprenticeship at any time. Learning can also take place remotely, meaning your staff can start working on their apprenticeship straight away.
10. Where can I find the most up-to-date government advice about Apprenticeships and Covid-19?
Furlough for all staff, including apprentices: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme
ESFA guidance on apprenticeships: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-apprenticeship-programme-response/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-apprentices-employers-training-providers-end-point-assessment-organisations-and-external-quality-assurance-pro#changes-to-learning-and-employment
FAQs from the Association of Employment and Learning Providers: http://www.aelpaskashworth.org.uk/
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