Key Updates – Apprenticeship Funding Rules
Clarification Version of the Apprenticeship Funding Rules – Key Points to Note The ESFA recently published the clarification version of the 2021/2022 funding rules. The clarification version is effectively a first draft of next year's rules. Below is a summary of the most important changes for training providers: 1. Dialogue with the EPAO must commence at least 6 months [...]
Updated 30/06/2021 – Functional Skills EPA Flexibilities
Update - As published in the ESFA Update document from the 30/06/2021: "The temporary suspension of the requirement for level 2 apprentices to work towards and attempt level 2 Functional Skills has been extended to include level 2 apprentices with a planned end date on or before 31 December 2021. For all apprentices with a planned end date beyond 31 [...]
Leader in Adult Care – Minor Assessment Plan Change
There has been a minor change to the end-point assessment plan for the Leader in Adult Care Level 5 standard. The latest version of the assessment plan is AP02 and can be found here. The change is as follows: The previous version of the assessment plan (AP01) stated: The observation will typically last for 75 minutes comprised of 60 [...]
End-point Assessment Methods – An informative video from IfATE
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education has produced a useful, short video clip that explains the application and purpose of the most common assessment methods used in EPA. Click here to view the video.
Skills for Jobs White Paper – What does it mean for Apprenticeships?
PAL's Director of Audit and Compliance, Rupert Crossland has produced a handy summary of what the Skills for Jobs White Paper, which was published on the 21st of January 2021, means for Apprenticeships Summary of the main points: The DfE has committed to providing £2.5bn for apprenticeships in 2020/21. From August 2021, apprenticeship levy payers will be able to pledge [...]
Apprenticeship Funding Rules – A Summary of the Changes
PAL's Director of Audit and Compliance, Rupert Crossland, provides a summary of the recently announced changes to the apprenticeship funding rules. On the 15th of July, the ESFA published the latest version of the apprenticeship funding rules. In this release, labelled the 'Clarification Version', some of the changes will already be familiar to providers and employers. For example, it [...]
Summary of Announcements Relating to Training and Apprenticeships
PAL's Director of Audit and Compliance, Rupert Crossland, provides an outline of the recently announced policies and incentives in relation to training and apprenticeships. The Chancellor of the Exchequer’s recent statement included a range of measures aimed at supporting jobs, backed by £3.7 billion of public funding. Supply-side measures – stimulating training opportunities: Apprenticeships: Incentives have been confirmed for [...]
Some Positive News to Start the Week – EPA Adjustments Well-received
During this challenging time, we thought it might be helpful to share some positive news about the experience of end-point assessment during COVID-19. Having completed over 2000 assessments now, and currently working with 450 apprentices in EPA, we have always tried to take a common-sense approach to delivering assessment. For us, it has always been, and always will be [...]
Further Relaxation of EPA Entry Requirements for Maths and English
The ESFA has temporarily suspended the funding rule that states the apprentice must have the approved level of FSQs in English and maths before the gateway. The recently updated document sets out further guidance for end-point assessment and functional skills requirements during the COVID-19 outbreak. PAL can confirm that training providers will be expected to provide prompt confirmation of [...]
COVID-19 – Functional Skills Arrangements for Apprenticeships
COVID-19 - Functional Skills Arrangements for Apprenticeships A Summary of the Current Guidance and Temporary Flexibilities Information correct as of 15/10/2020 Do apprentices still need English and maths to complete their apprenticeship during the COVID-19 outbreak? Yes. The requirement to achieve approved maths and English qualifications remains unchanged: Level 2 apprenticeships require achievement of approved Level 1 Functional Skills [...]
EPA Temporary Substitutions – An Overview of the Requirements
Assessment Overview- Temporary Substitutions Introduction Following consideration by an IfATE convened task force comprising of the Institute, EPAOs and People 1st, the following temporary substitutions will come into effect for the named assessment plans and assessment methods. These changes are temporary and have been agreed to allow apprentices to be assessed during the Covid-19 outbreak. As the duration of [...]
EPA Temporary Substitutions – Frequently Asked Questions
Assessment Substitutions PAL welcomes the recently announced temporary substitutions for some of the Retail and Hospitality assessment plans. This article answers some of the burning questions around the implementation of the substitutions. What are assessment substitutions? Assessment substitutions have been approved for a range of standards where observation is an essential aspect of the end-point assessment. See the IfATE [...]