A number of flexibilities have been introduced to support apprentices to make progress in their roles, and acknowledging disruption to teaching, learning and assessment practices. This includes:
- Temporary suspensions of the rule requiring level 2 apprentices to study towards, and attempt level 2 functional skills assessments until 31st March 2021
- Extension to end dates for legacy Functional Skills Qualification (FSQ)
- Allowing apprentices that are on furlough to continue to train.
The Education and Skills Funding Agency has, in creating this flexible approach, reminded employers that achieving English and Maths is important to apprentices’ ability to secure future jobs and progress to higher level training and that apprentices should be encouraged to attend a Functional Skills Qualification test in the workplace or at an off-site venue booked by the provider, but only where it is safe to do so.
Providers can make use of the DfE Exam Support Service (ESS) to book COVID-secure space for their FSQ assessments where apprentices cannot take them in the workplace. This is currently available until 31st March.
Below is a summary of known barriers, existing guidance and potential solutions of FSQ assessments:
| Scenario | Potential barriers | COVID guidance | Possible solutions |
| Apprentice is on furlough |
Provider does not have direct contact with the apprentice Apprentice is not able to sit the assessment at their workplace Apprentice does not want to travel to an alternative site to take the assessment |
Furloughed apprentices can: continue with their off-the-job training and end-point assessments remotely use digital and distance learning Apprentices can, and should, still travel to access education and assessment
|
Provider contacts employer to make arrangements for the apprentice Employer contacts the Apprentice to advise they should take the assessment if ready Provider uses DfE exam support service to access alternative site and/or make arrangements with local college.
|
| Apprentice cannot leave work |
Apprentice is already pressed for time by the demand placed on them by their employer.
Provider is prevented from delivering tests on site due to risk of infection.
Employer is unwilling to release apprentice offsite due to risk of infection.
|
An apprentice must get time for training or study over the course of their apprenticeship (at least 20% of their normal working hours)
Apprentices can, and should, still travel to access education and assessment. |
Employer encouraged to work with provider to identify convenient time to release apprentice.
Provider and employer encouraged to work together to safely administer tests on site or at an alternative venue.
Provider to make arrangements with an AO to provide a remote invigilation solution where available.
|
| Apprentice does not have access to necessary equipment to take an online test |
Apprentice is unable to meet an AO’s minimum technical requirements for remote invigilation to work.
Employer’s systems do not allow downloading of assessment software.
|
Apprentices can, and should, still travel to access education and assessment |
Provider to agree with AO alternative ways of enabling the Apprentice to take assessment e.g. paper-based, on or offsite.
Provider use DfE exam service to access alternative site and/or make arrangements with local college.
Employer to consider supplying stand-alone equipment that apprentices can use.
Provider to allow apprentices to access to their equipment; on or offsite.
|
| Apprentice is shielding or self-isolating |
Apprentice is shielding for short period of time (e.g. track & trace notification)
Apprentice is fit to take tests but is shielding for longer period of time (e.g. vulnerable or caring responsibility). |
Apprentice’s health and safety should remain a priority and they must observe current rules. |
Apprentice to agree with provider to delay the assessment until they can leave home safely.
Provider to make arrangements with an AO to provide a remote invigilation solution.
|
| Provider cannot host assessments at the usual premises |
Employer site is closed.
Employer is unwilling to allow provider on site due to risk of infection.
Provider does not have own premises at which they can host assessment.
|
Venues can remain open for education, training and assessment purposes.
Apprentices can and should still travel for education and assessment.
|
Provider and employer encouraged to work together to safely administer tests on site.
Provider use DfE exam service to access alternative site or make arrangements with local college.
Provider to make arrangements with an AO to provide a remote invigilation solution.
|
| Provider cannot access remote invigilation solution via their AO | AO does not have remote invigilation solution |
Venues can remain open for education, training and assessment purposes
Apprentices can and should still travel for a number of reasons, including travelling to education
|
Provider use DfE exam service to access alternative site or make arrangements with local college
Provider to consider transferring Apprentices to an alternative AO that offers a remote invigilation solution. |
More information on this can be found in the guidance here.
For FIS Support in taking on and managing apprentices click here.
For all vital updates you can access the FIS COVID-19 Hub here.