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English apprenticeships off the job training policy has changed

English apprenticeships off the job training policy has changed

by | Aug 18, 2022 | Skills

From 1 August 2022, the 20% off-the-job requirement for all apprenticeships will no longer apply.  It will be replaced by a baseline of six hours per week, irrespective of hours worked by the apprentice.  It means apprentices who work more than 30 hours per week can now spend less than 20% of their time doing off-the-job training.  The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has stated that this move, part of a package of changes to apprenticeships, ‘must not dilute the existing requirement, but provide the right level of training to every apprentice’.  This shouldn’t be a problem for the training providers and employers.  Employers have control over the training provided in the workplace.

It is an eminently sensible rule change and it should lead to a rise in apprenticeship numbers for these three reasons:

  • Apprentices will be able to contribute more at a time when many businesses are still struggling to recover from the impact of the pandemic.
  • It levels the playing field, meaning all apprentices will be required to engage in the same number of off the job hours, and are not penalised whether they work 30 hours a week, or 48 hours a week.
  • It will be much more easily administered without the need for complex and varied calculations which have been an administrative burden for Training Providers

This now aligns to an academic training day of six hours rather than the working day of 7.5 hours, allowing Training Providers to standardise and create learning programmes for cohorts rather than individuals. It is advisable to create a working relationship with your Training Provider to ensure you know what subjects the apprentices will be covering when they are with the them.  This does not remove the employers responsibility for training apprentices in the workplace and giving them time to practice the skills they learn in training in the workplace.  If you need more information contact George on 07553 874838 or email georgeswann@thefis.org

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Billions in unspent apprenticeship levy lost to Treasury ‘black hole’ new data reveals

Billions in unspent apprenticeship levy lost to Treasury ‘black hole’ new data reveals

by | Aug 18, 2022 | Skills

Apprenticeships experts warn that the Treasury must be more transparent on how it spends the billions returned to its coffers.  The rigid apprenticeship system is blamed for billions of skills funding going unspent by businesses and being returned to the Treasury.  More than £3.3 billion has returned to the Treasury in the last three years under the Government’s use-it-or-lose-it apprenticeship levy rules, according to new data collected by apprenticeships experts the London Progression Collaboration (LPC).

The LPC, which to date has helped transfer £10 million of unspent apprenticeship levy from large employers to support small businesses and create over 1,000 apprenticeships, says that it is not clear how the Treasury is making use of the £3.3 billion that it has received from businesses.  The apprenticeship experts warn that this lack of transparency means it is unclear whether the Treasury is using the unspent levy in a way that best supports the places most in need of levelling up, and whether it is helping create more entry-level apprenticeships, after numbers have plummeted in recent years.

The LPC argues that if the apprenticeship levy is to meet its objective of increasing employer investment in training, the Treasury needs to give employers greater control over how their funds are directed, including by increasing the 25 per cent apprenticeship levy transfer cap.  The LPC has seen at first hand the challenges the current system poses to businesses in their work helping firms navigate the complex apprenticeship system and transferring their unspent levy to small businesses.

These findings follow previous research by the LPC which shows that since 2014-15, ‘entry-level’ apprenticeships have fallen by 72 per cent in England, while apprenticeship starts amongst under-19s have fallen by 59 per cent, depriving those most at risk of in-work poverty and at the beginning of their careers the best start in life.

Commenting on this information, FIS CEO, Iain McIlwee stated:

“We need clarity here, Government increasingly expects employers to act as finishing schools, but is simply not providing adequate support for the investment that this entails.  We need a serious rethink about how education is built around careers and preparing people for the world of work, not purely academic outcomes.  The chasm between education and industry seems to be widening and the answer is not more stealth tax!”

Source IPPR

Don’t pay more than £36 for a CSCS card

Don’t pay more than £36 for a CSCS card

by | Aug 11, 2022 | Skills

Construction workers are being charged excessive sums by unaffiliated third party websites for their Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards when they could pay just £36 via the official application service.  CSCS continues to receive complaints from those who have used third party companies to apply for their CSCS cards.  These companies are unaffiliated to CSCS and simply use the official CSCS application service on their client’s behalf, while charging an admin fee.  Many of these complaints relate to inflated costs and slow delivery times for cards.

There is only one official service: cscs.uk.com/apply.  A card costs £36 and in most cases, applications will be processed, and cards issued within 48 hours.  Reports have been received of construction workers paying upwards of £60 just for their CSCS card.  If you are charged more than £36 for a card or £22.50 for the separate CITB Health, safety and environment test you should ask why.  The quickest and cheapest way to apply for your CSCS card is via the official online service. Online applications are quick, easy, and secure, for more information visit www.cscs.uk.com/apply.  If you need help contact FIS on 0121 707 0077 or email info@thefis.org

CITB announces radical new pilot to improve access to training

CITB announces radical new pilot to improve access to training

by | Aug 11, 2022 | Skills

CITB has announced an investment of more than £800,000 for the launch of a new employer network pilot project, which could revolutionise the way the construction sector access and receive funding for training in the future.  Over 3,800 levy-registered construction businesses will be eligible to benefit from the pilot, offered across five locations in England, Scotland and Wales.  While the pilot is open to businesses of all sizes, there is a primary aim to simplify the process for small and micro businesses, helping to place them at the heart of local training provision.

Through the support of established and experienced delivery partners, the pilot enables employers to recognise their training priorities and receive guidance on how best to find and fund the training most appropriate to them.  This transformative way of working provides a huge opportunity for employers to not only voice their training requirements, but also play a fundamental role in deciding how funds are used in their local area.

As part of this new model, construction businesses will not need to access the grant scheme, as CITB is supporting the employer network to help organise and fund training directly.  Many of the current requirements around training being “in scope” will also be relaxed to ensure the pilots can be as reflective of the employer’s needs as possible.  Therefore, training can predominantly be in anything that helps a business work better, whether that’s a construction skill; a health and safety course; a business skill; or a future skill need, such as net zero.  The five pilot areas covered are:

  • Inverness in Scotland, provided by Scottish Civils Training Group
  • Norfolk in England, provided by Norfolk Construction Training Group
  • Lincoln in England, provided by Lincoln Group Training Association
  • South West Wales, provided by Cyfle Building Skills
  • The final pilot is specifically for Civil Engineering firms in the Midlands, provided by CECA Midlands.

If you would like information, advice or guidance on support available from CITB give Marie Flinter a call on 07799 903103 or email marieflinter@thefis.org

Boosting adult skills with free courses

Boosting adult skills with free courses

by | Aug 11, 2022 | Skills

Making sure more adults can gain the skills they need to secure good jobs with higher wages is a key priority for the government.  Levelling up skills supports our economy to grow, as well as benefiting both workers and employers.  That’s why government introduced the Free Courses for Jobs offer in April 2021.  The scheme is proving popular, with data pointing to over 20,000 people having enrolled on courses by May 2022, taking advantage of the opportunity to get in-demand skills for free.

Moreover, nine in ten people surveyed say they believe it will help them progress in their careers, while the vast majority (97%) say they are enjoying their course.  Free Courses for Jobs offers adults aged 19 or over access to over 400 qualifications free of charge.  It’s aimed at people without a full qualification at Level 3, such as A Levels, diplomas or an advanced technical certificate, or those who are unemployed or earning low wages.

Courses are available in subjects ranging from engineering and construction to adult care and digital, allowing adults to access better job opportunities and boost their earning potential.  The scheme also benefits employers, who can support their existing staff to upskill or reskill into a higher-level role in their business without needing to fund the training.  Research shows that Free Courses for Jobs has increased uptake of these key qualifications, meaning more adults are making the most of this opportunity to boost their skills free of charge.

Interior Systems Installer apprenticeship training courses at Bircham Newton

Interior Systems Installer apprenticeship training courses at Bircham Newton

by | Jul 21, 2022 | Skills

National Construction College in Bircham Newton (NCC East) are delivering training for Dryliner and Ceiling and Partition apprentices and plan to continue this with registration now open for apprentices on courses starting:

  • Monday 12 September 2022
  • Monday 28 November 2022

For full details please contact Andrew Voase, andrew.voase@citb.co.uk 07798 628902 or Trudie Blackshaw, trudie.blackshaw@citb.co.uk telephone 07770 841816.

You can view the apprenticeship standard: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/interior-systems-installer-v1-0 this provides the criteria on which the training programmes are based.

For organisations that are CITB registered enhanced grants are available for apprentice travel and subsistence covering up to 80% of the costs, please see: Apprenticeship travel and accommodation funding ‘Travel to Train’ – CITB

On the FIS website there is a downloadable document, Apprentice – Guidance for Employers, that is worth a read at https://www.thefis.org/skills-hub/apprenticeships-and-qualifications/apprenticeships-employers/, the document contains links to all the details you’ll need.  In addition, FIS will be happy to provide further information, advice and guidance for taking on an apprentice, contact georgeswann@thefis.org or telephone 07553 874838 or Marie Flinter marieflinter@thefis.org or telephone 07799 903103.