ILM’s Post

6 months to go until Skills England becomes fully operational.   In October this year, Skills minister, Jacqui Smith, made the announcement that IfATE will be officially transferring over to a new organisation named Skills England.   With IfATE being a non-departmental public body, and Skills England becoming an ‘Executive Agency’ sitting within the Department of Education (DfE), what does this mean for the UK apprenticeship landscape?     Well, as a result of it becoming an integrated agency, it promises to:  🔹Provide quicker approval of standards and assessment plans  🔹Enabling the skills system to be more agile  🔹Provide greater flexibility, by removing the rigid timescales to review qualifications 🔹Put an end to IfATE’s ‘employers first’ approach to developing policies and qualifications, aiming to reduce any biases.   However, as the deadline for Skills England approaches, there are some concerns raised by the country’s training providers.    There are concerns that there could be delays in Apprenticeship standards and qualifications approval processes, as the IfATE begins to shut down.   Additionally, there are concerns about a raft of new or expensive compliance processes, as the DfE itself acknowledges ‘there could be a cost’ to training providers.   Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/enmqtKYv   So how do we prepare? What are your thoughts on this? 🤔 

'Plans to test alternative ways of assessing apprentices have been kicked into the long grass. Officials put forward multiple options to modify the current end-point assessment (EPA) model earlier this year, including one that would allow training providers and employers to assess their own apprentices rather than use an external organisation.' https://lnkd.in/gdRbuW7P

Did you know you can claim categories based on Statement 300, particularly Category D, for a part or occupational qualification?   Statement 300, Category D: Learnerships or Apprenticeships States that Occupationally directed instructional and work-based learning programmes require a formal contract – Formally assessed by an accredited body. The method of delivery is through institutional instruction together with structured, supervised experiential learning in the workplace at an accredited institution and/or workplace. The learning outcomes will focus on theoretical knowledge learning, resulting in the achievement of a South African Qualification Authority Registered Qualification, a certificate or other similar occupational or professional qualification issued by an accredited or registered formal learning institution.    The statement summarises a programme's categorisation into Category D, which encompasses Learnerships and/or Apprenticeships. The classification is based on theoretical knowledge and workplace learning leading to the attainment of a qualification certificate or similar professional certification from an accredited formal institution of learning.   The definition of qualification as encompassed above is the critical element with the notable inclusion that a part qualification meets the definition of a qualification. This is further empahsied in the workplace learning programme agreements that repealed the learnership regulations of 2007 in favour of the Workplace Based Learning Programme Agreement. This legislation, established in 2019, includes a definition of qualification that encompasses both full qualifications and part qualifications as per the NQF Act's Section 1.   Moreover, the definition of a learnership within the workplace-based learning programme agreement reinforces the notion that both occupational and part qualifications are considered learnerships, thereby solidifying their placement within Category D.   #DidYouKnow #QCTO

📢 Attention all training providers! Have you struggled with your year-end funding claim? Don't let a lack of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) evidence trip you up! In 2024, the apprenticeship funding claim window was short and swift. Many faced challenges due to missing RPL documentation, a critical element for valid claims. Ensure your off-the-job training aligns with ESFA rules and avoid funding pitfalls. ➡️ https://hubs.la/Q02BRk5J0

📢 Subcontracting funding rules for post-16 education and training 📢 The Department for Education has updated the rules providers must follow when using subcontractors to provide post-16 education and training (excluding apprenticeships). *New for 1 August 2024* This guidance is no longer applicable to schools and academies. For current subcontracting rules that do apply to schools and academies please see section 6 in the Funding Regulations 2024 to 2025 document. There are a number of other documents and guidance notes which also apply to subcontracting that have been released namely: *Subcontracting post-16 education and training for the first time How to seek written approval when subcontracting for the first time. *Request approval to subcontract your whole 16 to 19 programme Explains how lead providers of post-16 education and training should request approval to subcontract their whole 16 to 19 programme. *Request approval to subcontract 16 to 19 distance learning How lead providers of post-16 education and training should request approval to subcontract 16 to 19 provision which involves distance learning. *Request a subcontracting threshold exemption Explains how lead providers of post-16 education and training should request approval to subcontract more than 25% of their provision. *How to declare subcontracting for post-16 education and training How lead providers can declare their subcontracting arrangements. All of the above can be found on the main DfE webpage under the Latest from the Department for Education heading. #subcontracting #rules #leadproviders #post16 #education #training #threshold #distancelearning #firsttime https://lnkd.in/dN4WrnCF

📢 Attention all training providers! Have you struggled with your year-end funding claim? Don't let a lack of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) evidence trip you up! In 2024, the apprenticeship funding claim window was short and swift. Many faced challenges due to missing RPL documentation, a critical element for valid claims. Ensure your off-the-job training aligns with ESFA rules and avoid funding pitfalls. ➡️ https://hubs.la/Q02Fy2Kp0

Are you looking for a training provider that you can trust to deliver great results and provide your learners with the best experience? Have you and your apprentices previously been let down and you're looking for a change? We get asked all the time, what percentage of our learners successfully complete and achieve their apprenticeship. There are so many important factors when looking for the right training provider to work with but ultimately, you want to ensure your learners will have the best support system, great training and at the end, have achieved the best possible grade they can. Wouldn't we all want the same for our children in school and college? Looking at our results from the current financial year, I am proud to know that 66% of our learners have achieved a higher grade; accounting for Merit and Distinction. Overall we have seen 94% of our learners pass which in itself is brilliant. To see that 348 learners have achieved a Distinction in the last 7 months just makes our jobs even more rewarding. There is so much credit due for the learners as they absolutely wouldn't achieve these grades without all their hard work and dedication. But it too wouldn't be possible without the support, training and guidance in which our learners and employers receive. Special mention to our coaches! As a provider we care, and our learners come first in everything 💙

📢 Attention all training providers! Have you struggled with your year-end funding claim? Don't let a lack of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) evidence trip you up! In 2024, the apprenticeship funding claim window was short and swift. Many faced challenges due to missing RPL documentation, a critical element for valid claims. Ensure your off-the-job training aligns with ESFA rules and avoid funding pitfalls.➡️ https://hubs.la/Q02H39PH0

Open Today; The £1bn GMCA Adult Skills Framework The GMCA Flexible Procurement System (FPS) officially reopens on 16th December 2024—this is your final opportunity to access significant funding for Adult Skills, Apprenticeships, and Sector-Specific Training in Greater Manchester. What is the FPS? The GMCA FPS allows approved suppliers to bid for programmes funded by the Adult Skills Fund (AEB), National Skills Fund, Skills Bootcamps, and more, including: ✅ Adult Education Programmes (skills and employability) ✅ Apprenticeship delivery across Greater Manchester ✅ Sector-specific training (digital, construction, manufacturing) ✅ Community Projects (engaging hard-to-reach groups through skills initiatives) With call-off contracts starting at £50,000 and an annual budget of £50–100 million, this streamlined framework is vital for providers looking to secure impactful contracts. Don’t miss out—the FPS officially closes in November 2025. Why ESS Assist? We’ve already helped multiple providers join this and other local authority frameworks, supporting clients in accessing over £700 million in public funding. Client Success: "One of the most impressive aspects of their service is the meticulous attention to detail. Each proposal crafted by ESS Assist is comprehensive and tailor-made, significantly increasing our success rate." – Fearless Adventures 📩 Ready to Get Started? Contact us at info@essassist.co.uk to request more information and a quote for our expert support. #AdultSkills #GMCA #FundingOpportunities #TrainingProviders #BidWriting #ESSAssist

📢 Attention all training providers! Have you struggled with your year-end funding claim? Don't let a lack of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) evidence trip you up! In 2024, the apprenticeship funding claim window was short and swift. Many faced challenges due to missing RPL documentation, a critical element for valid claims. Ensure your off-the-job training aligns with ESFA rules and avoid funding pitfalls. ➡️ https://hubs.la/Q02FfDpZ0