mteb/FeedbackQARetrieval huggingface dataset:
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)
Apprenticeship levy and service frequently asked questions
I am a levy-payer with funds in my account. Why can’t my funds be used to continue to pay the provider even though they can’t deliver training? This will help them cope with the financial impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Where training cannot take place for any reason, an apprentice must be put on
a break in learning. When on a break in learning the individual will still be
employed and classed as an apprentice, and they can continue working, but we
cannot pay for training delivery that isn’t taking place.
Where the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak results in loss of income due to
ceased or reduced delivery of training, training providers should consider
their eligibility and apply for the wide range of financial support that HM
Treasury has already announced for businesses. Read the support for
businesses guidance.
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)
Apprenticeship assessment frequently asked questions
Where the EPA plan states that assessment must be conducted face-to-face, but cannot be under the current circumstances, can we conduct these remotely?
Where an assessment method requires face to face engagement, this can be
conducted remotely, subject to the following conditions:

arrangements are cleared in advance by the EQA provider
the apprentice’s identity is verified

remote tests are supervised by an appropriately trained invigilator or assessor who:

has the necessary qualifications, training or experience
and who has not been involved in the training, preparation or line management of the apprentice
appropriate technology and systems are in place
the impact that remote assessment may have on apprentices is to be taken into consideration to ensure a fair and reliable assessment of occupational competence
here alternatives are not appropriate, a pause and rescheduling might be the only action. An extension of 12 weeks is allowable for those EPA plans where a time limit is specified from gateway to EPA. It is to be logged on and shared with EQA providers on a timely basis



[EQA]: external quality assurance
  [EPA]: end-point assessment
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)
Apprenticeship training frequently asked questions
What happens to the apprentice during a period of unpaid leave in terms of monies, do they have access to universal credit?
Through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, all UK employers will be able to
access support to continue paying part of their employees’ salary for those
employees that would otherwise have been laid off during this crisis. HMRC
will reimburse 80% of furloughed workers wage costs, up to a cap of £2,500 per
month.
Alternatively, Universal Credit may be available for both workers and the
unemployed alike, as long as they meet the other conditions of entitlement
(including that the applicant and their partner have savings of under £16,000
between them). Apprentices may be entitled to access Universal Credit during a
period of unpaid leave. They may also have access to Universal Credit even if
they were working and being paid. Being laid off or on fewer hours could
increase the rate of Universal Credit entitlement.
Apprentices on unpaid leave may also be eligible for other
benefits.
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)
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?
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
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)
Apprenticeship assessment frequently asked questions
Will there be a requirement to go back and take the level 2 functional skills test after the apprenticeship has been achieved?
Studying and taking the test for intermediate apprentices is suspended until
July 2020, upon which time we will review this position. There will be no
requirement for those apprentices who are passed through gateway to go back
and take the level 2 functional skills test.
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)
Apprenticeship assessment frequently asked questions
I have been furloughed, can I still take my end-point assessment?
Yes, where apprentices are furloughed, they can sit their EPA providing that
they meet the conditions for furloughed apprentices.
*[EPA]: end-point assessment
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)
Apprenticeship training frequently asked questions
Can an existing member of staff start an apprenticeship whilst they are furloughed?
Yes, a furloughed member of staff can start an apprenticeship, but they must
still meet the learner eligibility and programme eligibility criteria of the
apprenticeship funding rules. For example, the apprenticeship must be a real
job, the candidate must require a programme that has a minimum training
duration of 12 months, with a minimum of 20% off the job training over this
duration to become occupationally competent. With regards to learner
eligibility the provider should consider how they would assure the ESFA of the
identity and eligibility of the individual and how they would carry out the
initial assessment.
*[ESFA]: Education and Skills Funding Agency
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)
Apprenticeship training frequently asked questions
What funding support is currently available to support redundant apprentices?
The existing funding support relating to redundancy is outlined in the table
below. In additional to this funding support, a package of pastoral support is
currently being put together and information will follow on this shortly.
Apprentice is within 6 months of the final day of training We will fund 100%
of the remaining costs of the price negotiated between the provider and the
previous employer, up to the funding band maximum.Within this 6 month period:-
If the apprentice finds a new employer where they can complete their
apprenticeship, the new employer assumes outstanding liabilities and benefits
from that point.- If the apprentice takes a job with an employer which is not
related to their apprenticeship, we will continue to fund the remaining costs.
Apprentice is between 6 months and 12 months of the final day of training We
will fund the remaining costs of the price negotiated between the provider and
the previous employer, for a maximum of 12 weeks. Within this 12 week period:-
If the apprentice finds a new employer where they can complete their
apprenticeship, the new employer assumes outstanding liabilities and benefits
from that point.- If the apprentice takes a job with an employer which is not
related to their apprenticeship, we will continue to fund the remaining costs
for up to 12 weeks.- If a new employer is not found within 12 weeks, the
apprentice is withdrawn from the programme but can return to the same
apprenticeship at a later date, without the need to satisfy the 12 month
minimum duration rule.
Apprentice is more than 12 months away from the final day of training We will
fund the remaining costs of the price negotiated between the provider and the
previous employer for a maximum of 12 weeks.Within this 12 week period:- If
the apprentice finds a new employer where they can complete their
apprenticeship, the new employer assumes outstanding liabilities and benefits
from that point.- If the apprentice takes a job with an employer which is not
related to their apprenticeship, we will continue to fund the remaining costs
for up to 12 weeks.- If a new employer is not found within 12 weeks, the
apprentice is withdrawn from the programme. If they return at a later date to
the same apprenticeship, they would need to satisfy the 12 month minimum
duration rule.
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)
Apprenticeship training frequently asked questions
Why should I continue my learning if I can’t attend my place of work?
We do not want the disruption caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak to
prevent apprentices continuing to learn where this is still possible. Not
being able to apply the learning straight away might present some challenges,
but there are benefits from carrying on with the apprenticeship during this
time, including continued engagement and progression that can all be applied
to the job once it is safe and practical to do so.
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)
Apprenticeship training frequently asked questions
Will I be paid for continuing my learning if I have been furloughed?
Yes. While furloughed you will still be paid by your employer and pay taxes
from your income. While you cannot undertake work for your employer while on
furlough you can undertake training. Where training has been required by your
employer you should be paid the appropriate minimum wage for the time spent
training. This will be covered as part of your furlough payment in the first
instance.
Your time spent training must be paid at the appropriate minimum wage. Where
the total furlough payment amount equates to less than the appropriate minimum
wage for the total amount of your time spent training, during the furlough
period, your employer should top up your furlough payment.
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)
Apprenticeship training frequently asked questions
My employer is asking me to take a period of unpaid leave. What happens to my apprenticeship during that time?
Many employers who had planned to ask employees to take unpaid leave during
this period will now be able to access the government’s Coronavirus Job
Retention Scheme and receive financial support to keep you employed. You
should speak to your employer about this to understand whether you are still
being asked to take unpaid leave or if your status is now considered to be
furloughed. There is a section on furloughed apprentices in this document.
If you are still being asked to take unpaid leave, then you can take a break
from your apprenticeship and resume when you return to work. Please get in
touch with your training provider, who will inform us of a break in learning.
Once you are back at work you can resume your apprenticeship, which your
training provider can help with too. You should refer any queries around terms
and conditions, including wages, to your employer in the first instance.
ACAS may also be a good source of information.
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)
Apprenticeship assessment frequently asked questions
We can deliver part of the EPA, but some sections require direct observation. How do we deal with these components?
These elements of the EPA will need to be rescheduled if they cannot be
undertaken remotely. If the EPA timeframe needs to be extended beyond what is
allowed in the assessment plan, the EPAO should seek agreement from the EQA
provider. Where a specified assessment method for a specific standard might be
adjusted without threatening safety and in a manner in which it meets the
original intent, EPAOs should discuss this option with their EQA provider, who
may refer it to IFATE for authority. The substitution of assessment methods is
not considered appropriate at this time.
With the prior authority of their EQA provider, assessments may be conducted
in an appropriate simulated environment, such as a training facility.
[EPA]: end-point assessment
  [EQA]: external quality assurance
  [EPAOs]: end-point assessment organisations
  [IFATE]: Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
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)
Apprenticeship assessment frequently asked questions
If the current situation continues for a long period of time, would you consider awarding the apprenticeship without the EPA?
We would not consider this to be appropriate at the current time. Our
intention is to safeguard the quality of apprenticeships, and at this time we
believe that the EPA is an important part of that.
EQA providers have agreed flexibilities which apply to over 60 standards from
Actuarial Technician to Senior Equine Groom to Adult Care Worker. These
flexibilities have the potential to allow thousands of apprentices to
undertake EPA, despite the current operating constraints.
[EPA]: end-point assessment
  [EQA]: external quality assurance
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)
Apprenticeship assessment frequently asked questions
Gateways are being delayed and we cannot complete the EPA in the required timeframe. Can we extend the EPA timeframe due to the current disruption?
Apprentices who are deemed ready for assessment, and cannot be assessed due to
assessor illness, or coronavirus (COVID-19) related measures, are allowed to
take a break before taking their EPA and for the EPA to be rescheduled.
If the EPA timeframe needs to be extended beyond what is allowed in the
assessment plan (where specified), EPAOs are responsible for agreeing
extensions to EPA timeframes during the current disruption. EPAOs should work
closely with EQA providers to ensure that quality of EPA is maintained. For
apprentices whose gateway is being delayed, the training provider must report
this as a break in learning in the ILR.
[EPA]: end-point assessment
  [EPAOs]: end-point assessment organisations
  [EQA]: external quality assurance
  [ILR]: individualised learner record
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)
Apprenticeship training frequently asked questions
I am having to move critical worker staff into different and/or business critical roles that aren’t related to their apprenticeship. What happens to their apprenticeship if they can’t continue training?
Apprenticeship training must be linked to the job role that the individual is
undertaking. Where this link is broken temporarily, it is our goal that
apprentices can promptly resume their apprenticeship and continue to
successful completion of EPA at a future date. Funding rules currently state
that a break in learning must be initiated by the apprentice. Employers and
training providers can now temporarily also report and initiate a break in
learning where the interruption to learning is greater than 4 weeks. This
guidance document sets out what employers and training providers need to do
when breaks in learning are more or less than 4 weeks, and if that break
commences during or after March.
*[EPA]: end-point assessment
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)
Apprenticeship training frequently asked questions
If I can’t work/attend training, will I still be paid?
An apprenticeship is a job with training, so even when you are not able to do
your training, you are still employed, unless you have been notified otherwise
by your employer. You will be paid in line with the details in your employment
contract.
Where you are unable to work, we suggest speaking to your employer about their
polices on pay. The government is providing a range of support to employers to
help them retain and pay the wages of employees (including apprentices) during
the coming months.
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)
Apprenticeship training frequently asked questions
When an apprentice is working from home, can we count anything they do as off-the-job training?
Off-the-job training is a statutory requirement for an English apprenticeship.
It is training which is received by the apprentice during the apprentice’s
normal working hours, for the purpose of achieving the knowledge, skills and
behaviours of the approved apprenticeship referenced in the apprenticeship
agreement.
All off-the-job training must be directly relevant to the apprenticeship, but
this can now be delivered more flexibly, including remote working.
Employers may set employees training tasks when they’re working from home, but
where these are not directly linked to the apprenticeship, it cannot be
classed as off-the-job training.
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)
Apprenticeship training frequently asked questions
Can an employer recruit a new member of staff into the business as an apprentice?
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.
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)
Apprenticeship assessment frequently asked questions
Can EPAs be staggered to ease pressure on EPAOs?
It is the responsibility of the end-point assessment organisation to agree the
schedule of EPA. You should refer to the assessment plan for the
apprenticeship standard to check if there is a time limit for the assessment
taking place following gateway.
Where an EPA cannot be undertaken immediately, a pause and rescheduling might
be the only action. An extension of 12 weeks is allowable for those EPA plans
where a time limit is specified from gateway to EPA. It is to be logged on and
shared with EQA providers on a timely basis.
[EPA]: end-point assessment
  [EQA]: external quality assurance
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)
Apprenticeship training frequently asked questions
Can I change training provider if they are offering more on-line/digital delivery?
A change in training provider can occur at any time, although it is likely to
be more difficult in the current climate.
When an apprentice and employer start working with a new training provider,
activity must take place to ensure that the apprenticeship programme and
apprentice are eligible for funding. Examples of necessary activity include:

initial assessment of the apprentice
completion and signing of agreements

Evidence must be collected and retained to support this activity but can be
held in a digital or electronic format.
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)
Apprenticeship training frequently asked questions
If I need to self-isolate, what will happen to my apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships have been designed to be responsive to changes in apprentices’
circumstances, for example during a period of illness. If you need to self-
isolate, please talk to your employer and training provider about the best way
to continue with your apprenticeship or report a break in learning.
Options include:

an increase in e-learning
a short pause of less than 4 weeks in your apprenticeship while you are in self- isolation. This will not affect the planned end-date of your apprenticeship
a formal break in learning of 4 weeks or more that your training provider should report to the ESFA. This will result in the planned end-date for your apprenticeship being re-planned upon returning to learning to take into consideration the duration in line with the length of your break
re-scheduling planned assessment activity for a later date

The appropriate steps will be agreed based on your and your employer/ training
provider’s situation.
*[ESFA]: Education and Skills Funding Agency
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)
Apprenticeship training frequently asked questions
My employer is enforcing a work from home policy and my classroom provision has been withdrawn. What are my options?
If you are unable to attend scheduled learning events, there are several
options available to you:

your training provider may provide digital or distance learning
you can take a short pause if it is likely your apprenticeship can resume in less than 4 weeks and you will still be able to complete your apprenticeship by the planned end-date
you can take a formal break in learning of 4 weeks or more which your training provider should report to the ESFA and will result in the planned end-date of your apprenticeship being re-planned upon returning to learning, to take into consideration the duration of your break

Please talk to your employer and training provider to agree the appropriate
steps for your circumstances.
*[ESFA]: Education and Skills Funding Agency