Question: Can I recruit new apprentices into my business still during the pandemic?

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Guidance Guidance for apprentices, employers, training providers, end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) and external quality assurance providers about changes to apprenticeships due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
section_headers: Apprenticeship training frequently asked questions
Due to business continuity measures, all staff are required to be available at their usual place of work in their usual job role. How can my apprentices continue their learning?
section_content: If your apprentices are required to attend their usual place of work in their
usual job role (critical workers), there are several options available:

apprentices could engage in digital or distance learning at a convenient time within their agreed working hours
they could be offered additional on-site mentor support
they could take a short pause in their learning of less than 4 weeks while still completing by their planned end-date
they could take a formal break in learning of 4 weeks or more and re-calculate the planned end-date upon their return to learning


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
This does not answer the question. This answer provides information on learning options for apprentices who are critical workers and does not provide any information on whether or not business can recruit new apprentices during the pandemic.
This speaks as if the apprentices are already employed. The question is asking if new apprentices can be recruited. The question does not refer to appreciates already on the job.

Reviewer ratings:
Bad
Bad

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Guidance Guidance for apprentices, employers, training providers, end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) and external quality assurance providers about changes to apprenticeships due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
section_headers: Apprenticeship training frequently asked questions
Can an employer recruit a new member of staff into the business as an apprentice?
section_content: Yes, an employer can recruit and start apprenticeships as they would have done
prior to coronavirus (COVID-19), if all personal and programme eligibility
funding rules can be met and the provider is still able to support this
activity.
It is important to note that an employer can only claim for furloughed
employees that were on the PAYE payroll on or before 19 March 2020. Therefore,
it would not be possible for an employer to recruit an apprentice after this
date where the intention is to furlough this person immediately and claim wage
support from the CJRS.

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
This directly answers if an employer can recruit new apprentices during the pandemic. It also provides guidelines on what should be done when recruiting.
This is a direct answer to the question. This answer provides information on whether or not employer can recruit apprentices during Covid-19 pandemic and the conditions that needs to be fulfilled when recruiting.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Guidance Guidance for apprentices, employers, training providers, end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) and external quality assurance providers about changes to apprenticeships due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
section_headers: Apprenticeship training frequently asked questions
Can training continue for furloughed apprentices?
section_content: Yes, where apprentices are furloughed, they can continue to train for their
apprenticeships, as long as it does not provide services to or generate
revenue for their employer.

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
This answer is bad because it speaks of apprentices that were allowed to leave. An apprentice is considered new when they have never worked on the job before.
This information is about apprenticeships training for apprentices who are furloughed and does not provide any information on whether or not business can recruit new apprentices during the pandemic as asked in the question.

Reviewer ratings:
Bad
Bad