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Meeting new application requirements and removal from Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers #RoATP

The register of apprenticeship training providers closed for new applications from midnight on Wednesday 15 April 2020. This is due to the impact coronavirus (COVID-19) may have on apprenticeship training providers and ESFA.

Changes to the register of apprenticeship training providers

As part of the government’s continued commitment to improving the quality of apprenticeship training, we will be implementing a series of changes to the register of apprenticeship training providers (the register). Broadly, these changes are designed to encourage entry to the register only in areas of identified skills need, and to ensure providers remaining on the register are those who are most skilled and experienced, and are as follows:

  • widening the current set of targeted entry conditions to the register to allow more training providers to enter the register where they can demonstrate they are catering to critical workers, and have a linked employer’s endorsement stating that the provision addresses the skills needs currently of greatest priority
    • this will take effect from 1 March 2021 and will be kept under review as needed
  • consider removing any providers from the register that have not delivered training over the most recent 6 month period
    • this will take effect from May 2021
  • requiring all remaining, active providers to reapply to the register, taking into account a new set of application criteria
    • remaining providers will be invited to apply when the refresh commences from May 2021

Further changes will be announced in due course setting out how any new applications, beyond those linked to critical worker provision, will be invited. Consistent with the approach set out here, any future permitted entry to the register will be similarly targeted to identified skills need.

Applying to the register of apprenticeship training providers

  1. Choose an application route.
  2. Check your eligibility.
  3. Read the application guidance to check you have everything you need.
  4. Apply using the Department for Education portal (Bravo).

If your organisation is eligible and not currently listed on the register, you can apply. There is no deadline and the portal will remain open for applications.

ESFA will start to assess applications on the first working day of each month for any applications received during the previous month. It usually takes around 12 weeks to assess an application, but it can sometimes take longer. We will keep you informed on the progress of your application.

If your organisation is currently on the register, you will need to reapply. We will be inviting organisations to reapply in phases.

If your application is unsuccessful, we will provide feedback.

You will be able to apply once within a 12-month period when the register is open.

Choose an application route

There are 3 application routes onto the register.

1. Main provider route

This is for providers who will directly deliver apprenticeship training for employers who use the apprenticeship service to pay for training. Providers that meet this requirement can also provide apprenticeship training to their own employees or those of connected companies and act as subcontractors for other providers.

This route is also for providers who provide apprenticeship training for employers who do not pay the apprenticeship levy using the contracts that ESFA awarded in January 2018.

2. Employer provider route

This is for employers that pay the apprenticeship levy who will directly deliver training to their own employees or those of connected companies and use the apprenticeship service to pay for apprenticeship training. Providers that meet this requirement can also act as subcontractors.

3. Supporting provider route

This is for organisations who will enter into subcontracts with main providers and employer providers to deliver apprenticeship training. This can be up to a maximum value of £500,000 per year in total. For organisations with no history of apprenticeship delivery according to recent records we hold, this is limited to £100,000 in their first year on the register.


How the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) will intervene with apprenticeship training providers that are graded inadequate by Ofsted.

Documents

Removal from register of apprenticeship training providers and eligibility to receive public funding to deliver apprenticeship training

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Details

Describes the actions ESFA will take when an organisation receives an inadequate Ofsted grade for the delivery of apprenticeship training or overall effectiveness under its FE and Skills remit where there is no separate grade for apprenticeships.

This includes:

  • removing the organisation from the register of apprenticeship training providers and their eligibility to deliver apprenticeship training
  • suspending the recruitment of new apprentices
  • giving employers the choice for apprentices that have already started training

Published 30 January 2018
Last updated 7 July 2020 + show all updates

  1. Amended arrangements for Ofsted’s new provider visits.

  2. Update to Ofsted’s inspection policy for apprenticeship training

  3. Added information of Ofsted’s new provider monitoring visits

  4. First published.


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