Take a look at our FAQs on the new Apprenticeship Act and the Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England (SASE).  Read more...

From the 1st April... 

All the component qualifications within our Apprenticeships will include those developed for the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF).

 

Questions in relation to the Apprenticeship Act

1. Can an apprentice be self-employed?

The commencement of the Apprenticeship Act in April 2011 requires all apprentices to be working under a contract of employment with an employer and hence paid a wage in line with the National Minimum Wage regulations. Therefore those who are self employed will therefore not be able to undertake an Apprenticeship unless the occupation/.job has been designated as exempt under the ‘alternative completion condition’ regulations – see question 3.

2.  Can an apprentice be a volunteer?

The same applies to volunteers as to those who are self employed. The commencement of the Act requires apprentices to be working under a contract of employment with an employer and hence paid a wage in line with the National Minimum Wage regulations.

3. What occupations/job roles are exempt from employment in an Apprenticeship?

There are a limited number of skills, trades and occupations that will be exempt through alternative completion conditions. Those that have been identified as exempt i.e. employment through receipt of a wage is not the norm within the sector are:

• Sports designated as Olympic/Paralympic and Commonwealth Games
• Sea Fishing
• Freelance/Self Employed specific occupations within the Creative/Cultural Sector
• British Racing School.

4. Do all apprentices now have to be employed?

Yes they do. Part of the requirement of the Act is that all apprentices must we working under a contract of employment, unless they are part of the alternative completion conditions.

5. The Act refers to the introduction of an Apprenticeship Agreement. What will be the requirements for this from April?

The introduction of the Apprenticeship Agreement between an employer and an apprentice has been delayed to allow more time for employers and training providers to prepare for its introduction and to ensure that the prescribed form in which the Agreement must take is proportionate for business in terms of the cost implications. We will provide further updates once we have received notification from government officials on this at a later date.

Questions in relation to the Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England (SASE) Implementation

1. The SASE includes a new requirement of Guided Learning Hours (GLH). What does GLH mean?

The Education Act introduces an entitlement for young people to receive 280 hours of guided learning each year. Whilst this primarily applies to young people it will also apply to all learners undertaking an Apprenticeship.

2. What does ‘on the job’ GLH mean?

In terms of an Apprenticeship, ‘on the job’ guided learning means learning which encourages and enables the apprentice to demonstrate practical job-related skills and to practise and apply these skills in the context of the job. This type of learning will be delivered in the workplace and through practical experience of doing the job.

3. What does ‘off the job’ GLH mean?

In terms of an Apprenticeship, ‘off the job’ guided learning mean learning which encourages and enables the apprentice to develop the technical skills of the job and to develop their knowledge of theoretical concepts across a range of contexts and the wider market. This type of guided learning will be delivered away from he immediate pressures of the job. It may be delivered in the workplace, in a college or training provider premises.

4. What will be the Audit requirements for providers in terms of GLH?

The GLH within an Apprenticeship is an entitlement for the learner as part of the Education Act. Therefore providers will need to ensure that the programme of learning they deliver includes the requirements of the GLH for the individual sector framework. They will not be required to record individual hours. For certification purposes, the provider will be required to declare that the apprentice has completed the GLH requirement as set out in the individual sector framework.

5. Will the providers be required to cover the minimum number of GLH as specified in the SASE or the number of GLH that have been specified by the Sector Skills Councils in relation to each framework?

The provider will be required to deliver the GLH as set out in the individual sector framework. The SASE sets out the minimum quality requirements for an Apprenticeship in terms of GLH and credit values. Each framework developer is required to ensure that their framework meets at least the minimum criteria but they can, according to the sector and needs of employers, set the GLH and credit requirements higher than the minimum. The framework developer is also required to set out how they expect the GLH to be met along with the credit values of the qualifications to be undertaken.

6. Will additional employer requirements still be included in frameworks?

Framework developers may still include additional employer requirements in their issued frameworks for the purpose of informing both the employer and the apprentice of additional learning that may be undertaken in order to support employment in the sector. However, they will not be mandatory for an apprentice to complete in order to achieve their completion certificate.

7. What is the difference between a framework developer and a framework issuer?

Any one can be a framework developer e.g. employer, training provider, awarding organisation. The role of the framework developer is design the framework content based on the requirements of SASE and the additional non-statutory requirements that support the SASE. Additionally, they will have to make sure they have undertaken a quality assurance process to make sure the framework is fit for purpose. The role of the Issuing Authority is to review all frameworks submitted to them to ensure they meet the SASE requirements and that they have demonstrated that they have undertaken a quality assurance process.

8. What exactly are PLTS and how will it be evidenced in the Apprenticeship?

PLTS is an acronym for Personal Learning and Thinking Skills. This is a new requirement for inclusion in an Apprenticeship framework and covers 6 areas of independent enquiry, creative thinking, reflective learning, team working, self management and effective participation. All frameworks must clearly specify how the achievement of the 6 elements is to be evidenced by the apprentice. Each framework developer will set out their individual requirements for how PLTS is required to be evidenced. Examples of this may be through completion of a specific qualification or through completion of a workbook.

9. What exactly is ERR and how will it be evidenced in an Apprenticeship?

ERR is an acronym for employer rights and responsibilities. All frameworks are required to include the 9 national outcomes in relation to ERR. Every apprentice is required to demonstrate that they know and understand areas such as the range of employer and employee statutory rights and responsibilities under employment law, health and safety and equality and diversity procedures and documentation for their organisation. Each framework developer is required to set out their individual requirements for how ERR is required to be evidenced. Examples of this may be through completion of a specific qualification or through completion of a workbook.

10. Where can I find the new Apprenticeship Frameworks?

You can find the new Apprenticeship farmeworks at Apprenticeship Frameworks Online.  This is the new library for Apprenticeship frameworks that meet the Specification for Apprenticeships in England or Wales that have been issued by the Issuing Authority (a UKCES and Sector Skills Council commissioned body).

As well as being able to search for an Apprenticeship framework, Apprenticeship Frameworks Online is also the place where all new frameworks are developed.  Employers, training providers and awarding organisations who want to develop a new framework, will need to get in touch with the appropriate Issuing Authority for their sector. We are the Issuing Authority for Apprenticeships in the land-based and environmental sector so email us if you have a query.   

11. Guided learning hours – If a learner completes a framework early, do they still have to achieve the full number of guided learning hours?

The answer is yes as all guided learning hours still need to be achieved.

12. ERR – Will Lantra accept a copy of the completion sign-off sheet?

Yes, because a learner will need to supply evidence of completion when they progress to the advanced apprenticeship.

13. PLTS documentation – Will Lantra accept a copy of the completion sign-off? 
 sheet?

Yes, because a learner will need to supply evidence of completion when they progress to the advanced Apprenticeship.

14. Does the new charge of £30 for a certificate re-print come into place as of the 13th April 2011?

This only applies to learners who have completed a framework after the 13th April 2011.

15. Will recognition of prior learning be acceptable to use as evidence for guided learning hours?

Yes, provided it can be evidenced through existing qualifications and training achieved.

16. If a learner completes ERR whilst achieving an old apprenticeship framework and then progresses onto a revised SASE/W framework, do they need to complete the new ERR workbook?

Yes because there are additional outcomes to be achieved listed in the new specification.

17. Do all of the PLTS outcomes need to be achieved?

Each of the six PLTS have outcomes which all need to be achieved.

18. If an adult learner has a great deal of experience, can they use this to record against all of the GLH?

Guided learning hours will need to relate to the qualifications and training that the learner has already achieved.

19. On the Learning Aims Database it also includes GCSEs.  Why and what does this mean?

They are listed to provide clarification as to what evidence is acceptable in place of key skills and functional skills.

20. Can Lantra accept certification evidence taken from the MIAP system?

No as not all training providers use this system.

21. Do learners have to be employed to complete an Apprenticeship?

All learners must be employed to enrol onto an Apprenticeship.

22. Do all PLTS documents need to be signed off by the internal verifier?

No, provided the learner and assessor complete the sign off sheet then it is acceptable for an IV to continue to sample.

23. If a learner completes the BHEST knowledge based qualification, do they still have to complete the ERR workbook?

No, the BHEST knowledge based qualification contains a unit on ERR which replicates the ERR workbook.

Find out more about the changes to our Apprenticeship Frameworks in England and Wales.