When can we start drawing down the levy? HMRC will deposit levy deductions into the Digital Online Account so it is available to pay for statutory approved apprenticeships from 1st May 2017. Providers An approved providers list was published by the Skills Funding Agency on 13th March 2017. All schools must use approved providers. What can we use the apprenticeship levy fund for? The Apprenticeship Levy can only be spent on those undertaking a statutory approved apprentice programme (this could be a standard or framework) and delivered and assessed by an approved training and assessment provider. This includes both new and existing staff. However you can only use the funding for developing existing staff where significant new skills & knowledge development is required. For example, you may have someone who has a degree in one area, but the job they are doing is considerably different and they require a new set of knowledge and skills. In this instance you could use the levy to fund either a lower or same level qualification in the new occupational area. However, you can’t use the levy just to gain a qualification. What can I not use the levy for? The Regulations stipulate that you cannot use the apprentice levy to fund qualifications or training which is not a statutory approved apprenticeship standard or framework. In addition the funding cannot be used to fund: Apprentice salary and on costs Travel and subsistence Managerial costs Traineeships Work placement programmes Covering the costs of setting up your apprenticeship programme What is an apprenticeship Framework or Standard? There are currently two different types of apprenticeship training that you can choose from: New Apprenticeship Standards - each standard covers a specific job role and sets out the core skills, knowledge and behaviours an apprentice will need to be competent in their job role and meet the needs of employers Current Apprenticeship Frameworks – a series of work-related vocational and professional qualifications, with workplace and classroom based training. By 2020, nearly all frameworks will have been replaced by employer-led standards. How will I know which standard or A list of current frameworks and standards can be found here:
apprenticeship training providers (RoATP).The list is available at: We urge locally maintained and voluntary controlled schools not to enter into any agreements with training providers who may contact you directly, as this could result in you being unable to draw down the levy. This does not mean that you cannot use your normal supplier if they are on the register, but you need to come via NYCC to ensure that process is followed and the provider properly procured via the DAS system to enable levy monies to be drawn down. Do Foundation and Voluntary Aided Schools, Academies and Multi Academy Trusts have to use approved providers? All schools whether they pay the levy or not will need to use the Education and Skills Funding Agency list of approved providers rather than making their own arrangements. Levy payers will need to use their own procurement rules to commission approved providers for the apprenticeships they want to run. What is the latest position on development of the new apprenticeship standard for Teaching Assistants? The new Teaching Assistant standard will not be ready for delivery this September but we expect it to be available from late 2017. In the meantime the frameworks for Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools at Level 2 and Level 3 remain available and are unlikely to be switched off until the new Teaching Assistant standard is established. I understand that each organisation gets an initial grant of £15,000. Will this be shared out between the schools? Public Bodies have an Apprenticeship Levy Allowance of £15,000 each year, which reduces the amount of Apprenticeship levy we have to pay by £15,000 across the year. Although this allowance may be allocated between all NYCC’s PAYE schemes, NYCC does not currently intend to share the allowance proportionately with schools. This is because the amounts involved would be too small once divided out and exceeded by administration costs. The County Council is investing money to run the scheme effectively. How do I calculate how long an apprenticeship will last in cases where the apprentice works less than 30 hours a week? If the apprentice works fewer than 30 hours a week, the provider must extend the minimum duration of the apprenticeship (pro rata) to take account of this. This will also apply to any temporary period of part time working (or indeed, where term time only contracts average out at fewer than 30 hours a week).
front, or is there flexibility to develop the programme as the apprentice progresses? is a change of circumstances or changes to the apprentice's job role. The most important thing is that the apprentice gets an appropriate amount of quality off-the-job training and that this is evidenced. Can attending meetings \ shadowing others that are not part of the day-to-day job count towards the 20%? Yes, if it helps the achievement of the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the apprenticeship. If the apprentice is continually failing assessments and underperforming, are there any restrictions or can schools manage their performance like any other employee? An apprentice should be treated the same as any other employee. However, the school might want to consider if the training approach is correct by involving the training provider before taking any performance management action. The delivery may need adjusting to better meet the individual's needs. What happens to the levy payment / apprenticeship costs if a locally maintained / voluntary controlled school becomes an Academy, VA, Free school or Foundation school part way through a tax year? The Governing Body or will be responsible for the apprenticeship levy from that point onwards. Any levy contributions already made via NYCC are not transferable to the Academy or Trust. The liability of any outstanding training costs for staff undertaking apprenticeship training, either as a new starter or existing staff development, are transferred to the Academy or Trust. My school is an NYCC levy and I’m considering an apprenticeship for an employee within the 16-18 age bracket. I’ve been approached by a training provider offering free apprenticeships for 16-18 year olds. Can I take advantage of this The training provider may not be aware that you pay into NYCC’s levy and may think that, as your school’s pay bill will be under £3 million, it will be able to claim back 100% of the cost of training from the government and hence offer the apprenticeship to you for free. However, this will not be possible as any apprenticeship training undertaken by a locally maintained / voluntary controlled school has to be paid for from the NYCC levy pot, given that NYCC is technically the employer.