Questions in relation to the Apprenticeship Act and certification
1. Can an apprentice be self-employed? (England only)
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 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, 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.
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 means 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 the 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. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. What is the difference between a framework developer and a framework issuer?
Anyone can be a framework developer e.g. employer, training provider, awarding organisation. The role of the framework developer is to 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.
10. What exactly are PLTS and how will they be evidenced in the Apprenticeship?
PLTS is an acronym for Personal Learning and Thinking Skills. This is a 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. Each of the six areas has outcomes which all need to be achieved. All frameworks must clearly specify how the achievement of the 6 areas are to be evidenced by the apprentice.
11. 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.
12. What exactly is ERR and how will it be evidenced in an Apprenticeship?
ERR is an acronym for employee 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.
13. Where can I find the SASE/W Apprenticeship Frameworks?
You can find the SASE/W Apprenticeship frameworks at Apprenticeship Frameworks Online. This is the library for Apprenticeship frameworks that meet the Specification for Apprenticeships in England or Wales that have been issued by an Issuing Authority (a Sector Skills Council commissioned body).
14. Is there a re-certification print charge?
Yes there is - £7.50. Please contact Lantra for details on how to do this.
Certification
All of the below are common issues as to why we have to reject certification requests. Please look at this list prior to requesting certification to minimise the chance of rejection:
1. The apprentice name is spelt incorrectly - for example, certification evidence contains the name spelt differently to the name in the basic information tabs
2 The route within the qualification selection does not match the evidence submitted
3. One or more pieces of evidence are missing or eligible/unclear - we cannot accept poor visual evidence or a blank requirement
4. The consent form is not dated at the time of signing - the requirements of the consent form is that they are signed by the apprentice at the end of the apprenticeship so that they can acknowledge the fact that they have completed and give the training provider their permission to claim the certificate on their behalf.
If you have any questions in relation to any of the above or to the ACE system please email us.
Apprenticeship wages
Please visit - the Gov website or ACAS for more support to ensure you pay your staff in line with the new NMW.