1. AELP Update Thursday 17th May, 2018 Cheryl Swales, Project Manager
@cheryl_swales

2. In this update… Apprenticeship reforms update Current stats
Key funding rule changes
End Point Assessment
AELP - Key Actions (wish list)
Ofsted Inspections
T-Levels
ITP Governance Survey
AELP Events Programme 2018/19
AELP Sector Forum meetings

3. Apprenticeship Reforms Update
Funding rule updates apply until the end of July 2018 (previously March 2019). New funding rules from August 2018 will be published shortly for the 2018 to 2019 academic year and expected to coincide with new funding bands
Funding band review – to view AELP’s response to the recent consultation click here
No more framework withdrawals until 2020
New Levy transfer rule transferring apprenticeship funds
(April 2018)
No new starts for grade 4 providers. For existing apprentices employers will be given a choice to remain with provider or move the learners
Summary of changes document available here
Keith Smith, now Director of (all things) Apprenticeships
Peter Mucklow now Director or (everything non-apprenticeships) of FE, inc. devolution, adult education)
DfE and ESFA now consulting with AELP on system post April 2019
AELP recommendation that all employers join TAS to avoid future procurement and provider responsibility for helping SMEs to navigate the system with AELP training & support to do this. This would ensure timely reporting of data (i.e. starts) and no double lock
Funding band review – lack of IfA rationale for driving down funding bands when quality will be damaged plus non-viability of some frameworks – AELP looking for costed evidence

4. Current Stats……
January’s total starts figure of 25,400 was a 31% drop on the year before
Levy payers now account for half of starts, increasingly at higher levels
257 standards fully approved for delivery (16% L 6 & 7)
277 standards in development (27% L 6 & 7)
147 approved End Point Assessment Organisations (EPAOs)
5 formally recognised External Quality Assurance Organisations (EQAOs) + Ofqual
The Tech Partnership
People 1st (now in administration, see recent comms)
Skills for Care
Retail Motor Industry Standards and Certification (RMISC)
Worshipful Company of Saddlers

5. Key Funding Rule Changes
EPA is part of the apprenticeship (for standards). Therefore the length of the apprentice’s contract of service should include EPA (where applicable). The apprentice must be employed until EPA is complete.
Training that is not required as part of the apprenticeship is not considered as part of the 20% otj training e.g. new skills for the job that are not directly relevant to the apprenticeship
20% otj calculation – 30 hours per week x 52 weeks x 0.2 = 312 hours otj training per year excluding time for English and maths
“Paid working hours” changed to “paid hours” meaning the apprentice’s normal contracted hours. Periods of irregular overtime cannot be included
No longer a need for further learning in order to retake a mandatory qual or EPA but if required the cost of additional learning can be included
EPA cost is to be negotiated between the employer and EPAO
Parent or legal guardian signature on commitment statement no longer required
“ESFA has admitted to technical problems on payments and reconciliation but there shouldn’t be an issue on being paid for over-delivery in January to March 2018”
(CEO Webinar 30th April 2018)

6. End Point Assessment (EPA)
Special Interest Group (SIG) Feedback:
Lack of preparation of some apprentices a concern
Lack of employer understanding about SPA readiness and preparation
In some instances pass rates of early EPAs are lower than expected
EQA clarifications – arrangement, expertise and costs
AELP are raising and tackling the issues:
AELP voicing the sector’s shared and growing concerns about the state of the EPA market and the issue of EQA.
Currently approx. 75 standards with no recognised EPAO, some dating back to 2014
Approx. 82 standards where there was only one recognise EPAO on the ESFA’s EPAO register
“Coverage is one thing, readiness to deliver is quite another”
**End Point assessor training programme currently in development – to be launched in June 2018**

7. AELP - Key actions (wish list)
Greater flexibility on the 20% otj requirement – see also our new 20% off the job guidance document
20% maximum Prime charge with any exceptions justified; transparency as to what every Prime is charging their sub-contractors. ESFA have published new apprenticeship subcontracting guidance (available here) to supplement the current rules
16-24 year olds in non levy payers (and levy payers exceeding their levy) doing level 2 and 3 to be free (remove 10% contribution) at least until April 2019
New incentive to encourage progression – waiver of financial contribution when an apprentice moves from L2 to L3
Speed up getting new products to market and fund frameworks appropriately (i.e. 12 months with 20% otj for £1,500?
Ofqual as the single EQA
See also the Select Committee recording (watch here) with Mark Dawe, Petra Wilton (CMI), Andree Deane-Barron
(IfA, Ofsted and ESFA in front of the education select committee followed by the Minister on 15th May)

8. Ofsted inspections
Won’t be looking at 20% OTJ – they want to see good outcomes and good quality teaching, learning and assessment over time
Want to see skills analysis and structured training plans are in place
Initial assessment and distance travelled needs to be reviewed and evidenced every 3 months to note impact on Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours
Skill scans should start at day 1 and be open until the 3 month review – it should be a real job with training
MIS systems need to show qualitative and quantitative data to capture the progress – current systems not adequate
Evidence of training and development to reinforce the skills and knowledge back into the workplace
Learner logs should show activities, not just hours, with evidence uploaded to show how learning has been applied in their roles
Same process for frameworks and standards
AELP pushing for initial assessment to be funded!
Look at recent examples:
Key6 Group Limited
J&S Blackhurst
New providers on register – sample monitoring visits with full inspection within 3 years

9. T-Levels
Formal DfE response to the public consultation expected around the end of May 2018
Results of T-Level pilot applications (circa. 200) expected to be announced at the same time
Likely further consultation later this year specifically on funding arrangements
Barriers for ITPs and role private providers can play – ongoing open dialogue between the DfE, ESFA and AELP
ITT for Awarding Organisations to develop T-Levels will be published Autumn 2018
AELP consultation response document can be viewed here

10. AELP Events Programme 2018-19
Future Apprenticeships Support Programme – not being funded by DfE after March 2018
AELP new programme of support - webinars, workshops (regional approach) and conferences
Discounts for AELP members
Programme will continue to be developed based on feedback from members and partners
All providers encouraged to feed in ideas for further improvement at

11. Member Sector Forum Meetings
Location
Date
Digital and IT
Manchester
7th June
Health and Social Care/Early Years
London
20th June
Financial, Accountancy and Legal
4th July
Sport and Recreation
10th July
Logistics
Telford
18th July
Engineering and Manufacturing
Birmingham
19th July

12. Questions