16 to 18 traineeships and adult education budget growth requests
Providers can now submit requests for increases to 16 to 18 traineeships and adult education budget contract values for the 2017 to 2018 funding year. Completed growth request forms must be sent to Provider.PerformanceManagement@education.gov.uk and provider managers before 5pm on Wednesday, 2 May. For further information, please refer to version 3 of the adult education budget funding and performance management rules 2017 to 2018.
A recap of the apprenticeship levy transfer
Transfers are being introduced to give levy-paying employers more flexibility in how they spend their apprenticeship service funds. They can be used to fund apprenticeships in another organisation. Funds will be transferred monthly for the duration of the apprenticeship. This means that levy-paying employers can work with another employer to help them take on apprentices, increasing the skills base in their supply chain, sector or local area. The choice is up to them. What’s new?
Funding rules – ESFA have updated the 2017 to 2018 apprenticeship funding rules which now include the rules for making and receiving transfers
Employer agreement – they have also updated the employer agreement, which employers will need to sign if they want to make or receive a transfer. Employers can download and view this in advance so that when they are ready, they can sign the agreement in their apprenticeship service account
Support video – please share this video with employers to help them understand what they need to have in place to be able to register on the apprenticeship service
What’s coming up? End of April
Levy-paying employers will be able to see their transfers allowance in their apprenticeship service account.
A new transfers estimator tool will help employers to plan the apprenticeships they could fund with a transfer.
There’ll be more support videos online to help employers register on, and use, the apprenticeship service, including how to make and receive transfers.
May
Employers that do not pay the levy will be able to register for an apprenticeship service account enabling them to receive a transfer.
Levy-paying employers will be able to agree to fund apprenticeships in one other organisation through a transfer.
Receiving employers will be able to start adding details of their apprenticeships to the service.
June
The first payments will be paid for apprenticeship starts added in May. The apprenticeships will need to be approved by the sending employer before payments are made.
If you know of employers that may be interested in sending a transfer, please share this information with them to help them get prepared. Where to find more information - Visit the transfers page on GOV.UK - Read this updated blog on tips for getting prepared for transfers - Follow @ESFAdigital on Twitter - Call ESFA’s helpline on 08000 150 600 - Email ESFA at helpdesk@manage-apprenticeships.service.gov.uk
