The New “Normal” in Apprenticeships
These are difficult times for employers, learners and providers– as part of the cross-government efforts to respond to the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) is implementing new measures, until further notice to reduce the negative impact.
In the current climate schools and FE providers working with vulnerable students are back to education this week and soon to be apprentices prioritised in the offer of face-to-face training from 15 June, and details of the flexibility that enables apprentices to take end-point assessment ahead of receiving their calculated functional skills qualification results as well as stand-alone functional skills (for AEB and other contracts) and other courses currently being completed on line that have had to be moved from face to face classroom learning in the current circumstances.
Information on which apprentices should be prioritised in the offer of face-to-face training in line with the Prime Minister’s announcement that further education settings can broaden the number of 16 to 19 learners attending on-site delivery from 15 June. More information can be found in the apprentices returning to train in an educational setting section of the guidance.
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education have put in place a flexibility that enables apprentices to take end-point assessment (EPA) ahead of receiving their calculated functional skills qualification results later on in the summer. More information can be found in the EPA flexibility for functional skills qualifications (FSQs) section of the guidance. Ofqual have also identified the evidence needed for awarding bodies to replace exams and providers and staff are working hard to meet next week’s deadline for the first cohort of predicted grades.
new guidance on the delivery of assessment includes information on:
how apprenticeship training and assessment can continue in line with the new safer working guidance
delivering apprenticeships flexibly to those working at home
furloughed employees continuing apprenticeship training and end-point assessment (EPA), or starting an apprenticeship
applying the policy on breaks in learning
delays to EPA
alternative arrangements and flexibilities for EPA, external quality assurance, and certification
extensions to contracts for training providers with existing procured contracts
funding audits and evidence
