What are the Apprenticeship Funding rules?
The Apprenticeship Funding rules are the rules that employers and training providers must follow to get funding for training and assessing apprentices in England. There are different sets of funding rules for each funding year, you must follow the rules that apply to your original apprenticeship start date.
As an apprentice you should never personally occur any costs associated with your study at the University of Wolverhampton. Whether you have completed the apprenticeship successfully or if you leave the programme early (this includes where you have left the employer).
What are KSBs?
KSBs stand for knowledge, skills and behaviours and represent the core attributes you must demonstrate to be competent in your occupation, forming the basis for your training and assessment.
What is the practical period?
The practical period is the core of an apprenticeship, encompassing the time spent learning and gaining practical skills and knowledge through both on-the-job and off-the-job training.
What is the gateway?
The gateway is the period before the end-point assessment (EPA), where the training provider and employer review your knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) to ensure you have met the apprenticeship standard and are ready for EPA.
What is an end-point assessment?
The end-point assessment (EPA) is the final stage of the apprenticeship where you are assessed to see if you have met the required knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) as outlined in your apprenticeship standard. Further details of the specific end-point assessment requirements for each Apprenticeship can be found by following this link: IFATE Apprenticeship Standard.
What is a Training Plan?
The training plan is a document signed by the apprentice, employer and provider that sets out the training that has been identified through the initial assessment required to complete the apprenticeship. The plan also outlines how the apprentice will be supported to successfully achieve the apprenticeship.
What is Presto?
Presto or the Student Check-In system is used to take a register of attendance at scheduled sessions.
What is off-the-job training?
- Off-the-job training is received throughout the practical period of your apprenticeship for the purpose of achieving the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for your standard.
- It is not directly related to the day-to-day tasks of your job and must be undertaken during normal working hours.
- By normal working hours we mean the hours for which you would normally be paid, excluding overtime.
What can be included as off-the-job training?
Off-the-job training must be new learning that is directly relevant to the apprenticeship standard.
This could include:
- Teaching of theory
- Practical training
- Learning support
- Time spent writing assignments.
What cannot be included as off-the-job training?
Off-the-job training must not include:
- Initial assessment and onboarding activities
- English and Mathematics training
- Training that is not relevant to the apprenticeship standard
- Tripartite progress reviews and examinations.
How do I log off-the-job training?
Off-the-job training should be logged via your e:Vision account via the ‘My Study’ menu. A guidance document including step by step screenshots is available within the ‘Apprenticeship Activity’ area.
Who do I contact if I have issues with logging off-the-job training?
If you need support to log off-the-job hours, please contact your Skills Coach for support.
What information should I include in an off-the-job log?
In each off-the-job log you must refer to the KSBs stating what you did, what you learned and how you have applied this in your role as part of your apprenticeship.
What is a Skills Coach?
Your Skills Coach will be assigned to support you to achieve the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) required for your apprenticeship. They are your first point of contact for any apprenticeship related queries.
What is a Tripartite Progress Review?
- A Tripartite Progress Review is a structured meeting with your Skills Coach and employer to discuss your apprenticeship progress, achievements, and areas for improvement.
- It ensures you are on track to meet your learning goals, knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) and that you have all the support you need to achieve your apprenticeship in a timely way.
Who do I contact if I have a query regarding my Timetable?
Contact ASK@WLV via a helpcall on e:Vision, in-person or by telephone on 01902 518518.
How do I confirm attendance at timetabled sessions?
Please watch the following video for support around this, ‘Enter The Code, Prove You Showed’ Video link
Who do I contact if I notice an error with my attendance record?
Issues with your attendance record should be addressed with the Module Leader within 7-days of the session. If the issue is noted after the 7-day window, please raise with your Skills Coach.
What is an Apprenticeship Board?
- It is a committee responsible for deciding progression status, awarding credits, and determining the overall outcome based on module achievement and apprenticeship compliance.
- There are three types of Apprenticeship Board: Apprenticeship Progression Board, Apprenticeship Gateway Board and Apprenticeship and End-Point-Assessment and Award Board.
How do I ensure my progression at an Apprenticeship Progression Board?
A progression board occurs at the end of each academic year to determine if you are on track to continue into the next academic year of your apprenticeship.
- To progress you must have passed the relevant modules and achieved sufficient credits for your year of study as in line with the Academic Regulations and Course Specification.
- You must also be on track with your off-the-job logging and English and Mathematics (where relevant).
What happens if I do not achieve sufficient credits to proceed?
- If the Apprenticeship Progression Board determines that you do not have sufficient credits to proceed to the next year of study, you may be placed on a step-off break in learning.
- The step-off break in learning will allow you time to resit or retake outstanding modules required for progression.
- While on the step-off break in learning you will not be actively studying for your apprenticeship and will therefore not need to log off-the-job training.
- Once resits/retakes have been completed an Apprenticeship Progression Board will determine whether you have sufficient credits to return to your apprenticeship.
How do I ensure my progression at an Apprenticeship Gateway Board?
A gateway board occurs at the end of your practical period to determine if you are ready to go through to end-point-assessment. In order to progress you must have:
- Passed the relevant modules and achieved sufficient credits as outlined in your apprenticeship standard.
- Achieved the planned off-the-job hours for your apprenticeship.
- Completed any extra requirements detailed by your apprenticeship standard i.e. completion of a portfolio, case study or professional body requirements etc.
How do I ensure my progression at an Apprenticeship End-Point-Assessment and Award Board?
- This board occurs at the end of your end-point-assessment to determine if you have achieved everything required to obtain your apprenticeship and all qualifications associated with your standard.
- You must have met the requirements of the end-point-assessment to be taken to this board where qualifications and classifications (if applicable) will be fully confirmed.
What is a break in learning?
A break in learning is a break from studying towards your apprenticeship. If you have no active learning towards your apprenticeship for a whole calendar month a break in learning will be automatically applied. During a break in learning you will cease all apprenticeship activities including logging off-the-job hours. If you are not in work for a calendar month or more, you will automatically be put on a break in learning as your apprenticeship must be completed within working hours.
How do I request a break in learning?
- If your circumstances change and you need to take time out from studying towards your apprenticeship you can have a discussion with your Skills Coach and Programme Lead to determine if a break in learning is right for you.
- It is crucial that your off-the-job record is up-to-date, and you have met the expected hours to date target prior to taking a break as any shortfall in hours could make it difficult for you to return to your apprenticeship.
- Once you have agreement from your Skills Coach and Programme Lead that a break in learning is the right course of action for you, please put in a ‘leave of absence’ request on e:Vision. Please also contact ASK@WLV via a helpcall on e:Vision, in-person or by telephone on 01902 518518 if you need further support.
What is withdrawal?
A withdrawal is when an apprentice leaves or stops take in part in their apprenticeship before completing it. If you wish to return to study after withdrawing from an apprenticeship you will need to re-apply.
How do I request to Withdraw from my Apprenticeship?
- If your circumstances change and continuing to study towards your apprenticeship is no longer feasible, withdrawal from the programme may be the necessary step to take.
- Please discuss with your Skills Coach and Programme Lead to determine if withdrawal is right for you or whether a break in learning might be more appropriate.
- Once you have agreement from your Skills Coach and Programme Lead that withdrawal is the right course of action for you, please put in a ‘withdrawal’ request on e:Vision. It is crucial that your off-the-job record is up to date. Please also contact ASK@WLV via a helpcall on e:Vision, in-person or by telephone on 01902 518518 if you need further support.
What do I need to do if I wish to change Employer?
If you are changing employer, it is essential that you let us know as soon as possible. You will need to:
- Inform your programme lead and skills coach for guidance on the process.
- Discuss with your current employer.
- Ensure that your current and new employer agree to the transfer and that your new employer supports the continuation of your apprenticeship.
- You will be required to complete a new Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours and Job description for your new employer as part of the transfer process.
- When you transfer to a new employer you will be issued with a revised Apprenticeship Agreement and Training plan.
Once the university are made aware the programme lead, and skills coach will co-ordinate with Apprenticeship Operations to facilitate the process. New contract documents will need to be completed for the transfer to the new employer and be correctly registered on the Apprenticeship Digital Account Service by your old and new employer.
How do I apply for an extension?
Contact ASK@WLV via a helpcall on e:Vision, in-person or by telephone on 01902 518518.
How do I apply for mitigation?
Contact ASK@WLV via a helpcall on e:Vision, in-person or by telephone on 01902 518518.