We’re making changes to ensure the apprenticeship service meets the needs of employers, training providers and apprentices. Our latest update will go live on 9 September 2021, the details are outlined below.
Please share this information with your members and employer networks, so they are prepared and can make the most of the new functionality.
LAUNCHING 9 SEPTEMBER
‘My apprenticeship’ accounts
An account will allow apprentices to:
● confirm their apprenticeship details are correct
● review their apprenticeship details throughout their apprenticeship
● access guidance on what is expected of them, their training provider and their employer
● access additional support
This new service will help new apprentices to fully understand their apprenticeship and the support available. It will help employers and training providers to ensure all details are correct and the onboarding process is smooth.
Action for employers or training providers: Add apprentice email addresses
From 9 September, the employer or training provider must add a unique email address when adding an apprentice record to the apprenticeship service, including bulk uploads. This can be the apprentice’s personal, college or work email address, but not a group email address. Without a unique email address, employers or training providers will not be able to bulk upload, save or approve the apprentice record, so funding cannot be allocated.
Once the email address is added to the apprentice record, the apprentice will receive an email invitation to create a ‘My apprenticeship’ account. Whilst the setting up of a ‘My apprenticeship’ account is encouraged, it is not mandatory and will not impact the apprenticeship start date or apprenticeship funding.
Action for employers: Encourage apprentices to confirm their details
Employers can share these details about ‘My apprenticeship’ accounts with their apprentices. They can check if apprentices have confirmed their details by reviewing their status within their apprenticeship service account under ‘Manage your apprentices’.
COMING SOON
Pledge and transfer apprenticeship levy funds
Employers who pay the apprenticeship levy (those with an annual pay bill of more than £3 million) will be able to pledge unspent levy funds (up to their 25% transfer allowance) to support apprenticeships in other businesses via a new online service.
All businesses will be able to see these transfer opportunities on a gov.uk webpage and employers will be able to apply for funding to pay for 100% of their apprenticeship training and assessment costs (up to the funding band maximum).
Access the latest versions of apprenticeship standards
Apprenticeship standards outline what an apprentice will be doing and the skills required of them, by job role. All apprenticeship standards begin at version 1.0. The content of standards is reviewed regularly, and when changes are made, new versions of standards are published with an updated version number.
When employers or providers add a future apprentice to the apprenticeship service, they will be automatically assigned to the latest version of the chosen apprenticeship standard, based on the planned start date for the apprentice.
Employers will also be able to upgrade existing apprentices onto the latest versions of their apprenticeship standards. This will ensure apprentices receive training and assessment in line with the latest industry requirements, and employers can benefit from their up-to-date skills.
ACCESS SUPPORT
If your employer contacts require support using the apprenticeship service, they can watch our how-to videos, check the advice on apprenticeships.gov.uk or visit our help portal. From the help portal they can access help articles, webchat with an adviser, call or text our helpline, or email our helpdesk.