3 June 2020

BPIF Training Update: Covid-19 flexibilities

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-apprenticeship-programme-response/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-apprentices-employers-training-providers-end-point-assessment-organisations-and-external-quality-assurance-pro

Returning to Usual Ways of Working

Apprenticeship Delivery in the Workplace
As a result of the new Covid-19 secure guidelines, which details how employers can get their businesses back up and running we expect to see some of our apprentices return to work and restart their training in their workplace. To ensure that providers can support as many apprentices to continue their apprenticeship as possible, the DfE have detailed new arrangements which will be supported alongside the existing flexibilities about where training is delivered.

Remote training should remain the predominant mode of learning for most apprentices during this time. However, where a provider is able to do so safely, apprenticeship training can be delivered in the workplace where the apprentice is a critical worker or is returning to work, where that workplace meets new ‘COVID-19 secure' guidelines on ensuring the workplace is safe.

Where a provider can do so safely, apprenticeships can be delivered:

• Remotely where an apprentice is working from home, or is furloughed
• Remotely in the workplace
• In the workplace where the apprentice is a critical worker or is returning to work, where that workplace meets new ‘Covid-19 secure' guidelines

BPIF Training are considering how training staff can safely support apprentices in the workplace, particularly when they may be visiting multiple sites, and for the time-being will continue to work remotely. We will issue our own guidelines regarding on site apprenticeship delivery in due course.

Apprenticeship delivery at BPIF Training Sites

On 24 May the Prime Minister announced that further education (FE) settings (including general further education colleges, sixth form colleges, and other providers) should plan on the basis that, subject to the government's 5 tests being met, from the week commencing 15 June, they can broaden the number of 16 to 19 learners attending on-site delivery, in line with the guidance on wider opening from 15 June 2020 and guidance for further education providers. This includes apprenticeship training taking place in any educational setting, including training centres within employer-providers.

From the week commencing 15 June, providers should offer some face-to-face contact for 16 to19 year old apprentices where possible and practical, as part of a combined approach in which remote training remains the predominant form of training.

Apprenticeship training taking place in educational settings should also be prioritised for 16 to 19 apprentices. The DfE supports offering face-to-face contact to any 16 to 19 apprentices, although training providers may decide to offer face-to-face training to certain groups of 16 to 19 apprentices, for example those who:

• are on the first year of an apprenticeship
• require face-to-face training to help them complete their apprenticeship
• have upcoming key assessment dates and would therefore particularly benefit from face-to-face training

Although the DfE support that main face-to-face contact is prioritised for 16 to 19 apprentices, there may be some apprenticeships that include apprentices within a classroom-based training environment that are over 19. Providers can choose to allow apprentices who are over 19 to attend but should continue to prioritise 16 to 19 apprentices. If older apprentices attend on site delivery, the maximum number of 16 to 19-year olds attending on site at any one time must be reduced to ensure the setting remains within the overall limit.

BPIF training will not be opening training centres for the remainder of the academic year, to the end of July 2020 to continue to ensure the safety and welfare of our staff and apprentices as well as the opportunity to ensure that all training premises are Covid-19 secure and meet the guidelines on protective measures in educational settings.

Where an apprentice is aged 16-19, remote learning continues to be our preferred way on learning however where an apprentice in this age range would benefit from face to face training we will ensure that we work with the employer so that this can be done in a safe way.

Continuing Flexibilities

Furloughed Apprentices
Where apprentices are furloughed (granted a leave of absence), they are permitted to continue with their training where their provider can continue to deliver this remote. We continue to have high engagement with apprentices who are furloughed with apprentices making excellent progress toward achievement.

Where apprentices are made redundant, it is our ambition that they will be supported to find alternative employment and continue their apprenticeship as quickly as possible and within 12 weeks. The Education and Skills Funding Agency will keep under review whether this 12-week period should be extended.

Functional Skills
Ofqual have published their approach to assessment for vocational and technical skills in light of coronavirus. This includes confirmation that students due to take functional skills assessments this summer will receive a calculated grade. In response to this guidance BPIF teams are working withal apprentices who were due to complete a functional skill exam between the 1st March and 31st July 2020 to apply an evidence based grade and will be submitting these results to the awarding body by 25th June. Confirmation of results are expected for these learners no later than 31st July.

Ofqual has also confirmed that it will extend the regulation end date for legacy functional skills qualifications in English and maths to 31 December 2020 meaning that apprentice, due to any disruptions to learning will not be disadvantaged by missing the deadline to take the legacy functional skills.

End Point Assessment
To ensure that apprentices can work to complete their apprenticeship, new assessment arrangements will be supported alongside the existing flexibilities about how apprenticeship assessments are delivered. Where remote assessments can take place, meaning apprentices can stay home, these are preferable. If there is no option to take the assessment remotely, and an assessment centre meets the safer working guidance, then apprentices can travel to them to undertake their EPA.