Q: Which
qualifications are
eligible to be taken
as part of an
apprenticeship?
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The list of qualifications that are mandatory for each SSC can be found by clicking here.
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Q: What funding is
available for
Apprenticeships?
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For full details of Apprenticeship funding, click here.
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Q: Do Learners have
to be in full time
employment to be
eligible for the
apprenticeship
framework? |
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The National Apprenticeship Service have confirmed that all apprentices “are expected to be in full-time employment for a minimum of 30 hours per week” in the new SASE framework. Full clarification can be found at: http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/working
The National Apprenticeship Service has confirmed that “The commencement of the Apprenticeship Act requires apprentices to be working under a contract of employment with an employer and hence paid a wage in line with the National Minimum Wage regulations”. As such, those who are self employed or volunteering in a role are not eligible to undertake apprenticeships.
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Q: What is the
difference between
mandatory SASE
requirements and
Additional
Employer
Requirements? |
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Mandatory SASE requirements are those components documented in each sector’s apprenticeship framework that must be taken, delivered and assessed in line with the guidance in the specific framework. Additional Employer Requirements are not a requirement of the framework (and thus an apprenticeship can be completed without them) but have been identified by employers as highly advantageous to a learner to help them select an apprentice with the required skills. Fulfilling the Additional Employer Requirements is strongly advised by Sector Skills Councils.
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Q: What are Personal
Thinking and
Learning Skills
(PLTS)? |
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Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS), in conjunction with English, Maths and ICT Functional Skills, cover the areas of competence that have been identified by employers as valuable. Integrating these skills into the framework will provide learners with a platform for employability and further learning. PLTS are:
• Team Working
• Independent Enquiry
• Self-Management
• Reflective Learning
• Effective Participation
• Creative Thinking
The location of PLTS, whether in a qualification or elsewhere, and how achievement is to be evidenced will be specified within the Framework. Mapping documents, which highlight where PLTS can be found within the content of the mandatory qualifications, can be found at cachezone.
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Q: What will happen
with
Apprenticeships in
Wales and
Northern Ireland? |
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The SASE-compliant Apprenticeship Frameworks apply to England only. Details of the consultation on the Welsh equivalent Specification of Apprenticeship Standards Wales (SASW) can be found at:
http://wales.gov.uk/docs/dcells/consultation/090722standardforapprenticeshipsen.pdf.
At present there has been no confirmation from the Department for Employment and Learning regarding changes to Apprenticeships in Northern Ireland. For information about Apprenticeships in Children’s Care, Learning & Development, Health & Social Care and Active Leisure & Learning in Northern Ireland, including which CACHE qualifications are acceptable within each framework, please visit:
http://www.delni.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsni
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Q: How do I obtain my
Apprenticeship
certificate? |
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To obtain an Apprenticeship certificate previously, Centres had to provide evidence to the relevant Sector Skills Council that all criteria have been met. The Apprenticeship Certificates Online (ACE) system is now the place where apprentices, or learning providers / employers acting on their behalf, apply for their Apprenticeship certificates. For further details, please go to:
http://www.acecerts.co.uk . |