Transferring apprenticeship levy funds

From April 2018, levy-paying employers will be able to transfer funds to other employers, through their apprenticeship service account.

The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has confirmed that employers will be able to transfer up to 10 per cent of the annual value of fund to any employer, including smaller employers in their supply chain, and apprenticeship training agencies.

Employers receiving transferred funds will only be able to use them to pay for training and assessment for apprenticeship standards. They will not be able to use them to pay for training and assessment delivered against apprenticeship frameworks.

Standard for physiotherapy degree apprenticeship gets seal of approval

The CSP has received confirmation that the Institute for Apprenticeships has approved the standard for the physiotherapy degree apprenticeship.

The standard sets out the knowledge, skills and behaviours that individuals will need to demonstrate as they progress through the new apprenticeship route to qualify as a physiotherapist.

It makes clear that the apprenticeship will be at honours degree level and that all apprentices will need to follow a degree programme, for which Health and Care Professions Council approval and CSP accreditation have been secured.

Quality criteria for apprenticeships announced

The Institute for Apprenticeships (IFA) has published a quality statement defining what constitutes a high quality apprenticeship, and will use this to develop a quality strategy.

New guide to degree apprenticeships

NHS Employers has produced a great new guide looking at degree apprenticeships and the range of benefits they bring to NHS organisations.

It  offers advice and tips around degree level apprenticeships and explains the opportunities they offer to support and develop career paths in the NHS, and includes examples from other sectors, which NHS organisations can learn from, and may help employers to maximise how they use the apprenticeship levy.


4 December - NHS Employers has refreshed and published an updated version of the Guide to degree apprenticeships: What employers need to know

Entry requirements change for apprenticeships

The Department for Education (DfE) has announced changes to the minimum Maths and English requirements for those who have special educational needs, learning difficulties or disabilities.

This announcement will allow more people to access apprenticeships. New exemptions will allow apprentices to use a Level 3 qualification in English or Maths as an alternative to the regular minimum entry requirements.

Degree level apprenticeship standard in occupational therapy released for consultation

The degree level apprenticeship standard in occupational therapy has been released for consultation.

Quality assurance for apprenticeships confirmed

The Institute for Apprenticeships (IfA) has confirmed the arrangements for the delivery of external quality assurance (EQA) of apprenticeship end-point assessments to ensure they are effective, consistent and fit for purpose.

Apprenticeships in the NHS - Staff Council guidance

The NHS Staff Council has issued jointly agreed guidance on apprenticeships in the NHS.

It is designed to give general advice for those directly employing apprentices. It does not advise on any specific apprenticeship programmes, or cover those employed through Apprenticeship Training Agencies (ATAs).  The guidance gives some detail on:

• apprenticeship agreements 
• general requirements for apprenticeships
• approaches around the employment and pay of apprentices.

Advanced Clinical Practitioner Apprenticeship Standard

Want to comment on plans for setting the standard for a master’s level advanced practice apprenticeship?

The Apprenticeship Standard for Advanced Clinical Practitioner has been drafted to reflect the content of the draft National Framework for Multi-professional Advanced Clinical Practice. This important Framework defines the core capabilities for Advanced Clinical Practitioners and recommends the standard of education.

Please download a copy of the draft standard before you start this survey so that you can refer to it whilst you are completing it.

Nursing degree apprenticeship now available

The registered nurse apprenticeship standard is now available. Setting out the common core skills and knowledge required for all nursing students, the nurse apprenticeship standard incorporates the options to study specialisms in adult nursing, children’s nursing, mental health and learning disabilities.

New online system for healthcare apprenticeship standards

A new website has been launched to provide a one-stop shop to find apprenticeship standards commonly used in healthcare settings.

Healthcare Apprenticeships Standards Online (HASO) will help employers find the most up-to-date information and download standards that are currently in development, or are approved and ready to use. The launch follows recent changes to apprenticeships, including the introduction of the levy, and a shift in attitudes as more employers look to apprenticeships as a way to train staff in clinical and non-clinical roles.

Apprenticeship update and resources

The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) have issued an update containing a range of information relevant to apprenticeships, including the new national minimum wage rates.

New guidance for trailblazers has also been published by The Institute for Apprenticeships (IFA).

The new how-to guide reflects the updated policy and processes of the recently established IFA and provides stage-by-stage guidance on the development of new apprenticeships, replacing the previous guidance.

Advanced clinical practice apprenticeship is on the cards

The government has given the green light to plans for an advanced clinical practice (ACP) apprenticeship.

Quality Principles for NHS Apprenticeships

A set of principles to help employers in health care organisations deliver quality apprenticeships have been developed by National Skills Academy for Health and Health Education England.

The Quality Principles for NHS Apprenticeships has been designed as a self-assessment and planning guide, which those leading on the development and delivery of apprenticeships can use to evaluate where they sit against each of the principles, and plan for any improvements needed.

Degree apprenticeship standard for healthcare science practitioner

The degree apprenticeship standard and end-point assessment for healthcare science practitioners is now available for delivery. Approved as a level 6 apprenticeship, the training will typically take a minimum of 36 months to complete and will lead to a BSc (Honours) degree in Healthcare Science. The standard, which sets out the skills, knowledge and behaviours required in the role, also outlines the competencies the apprentices will need to demonstrate.

The Apprenticeship Levy goes live

Changes to the way apprenticeships are funded come into effect from today (6 April 2017).
All employers with an annual pay bill of £3 million or more will now have to pay the Apprenticeship Levy. Funds to pay for apprenticeship training will then be available through an online account system managed by the Apprenticeship Service.

Under the changes training providers will no longer receive funding direct from government, instead employers will negotiate contracts for the delivery the apprenticeship training and assessments they need, giving them more control in the process. 

Apprenticeships offer a creative opportunity to further support the healthcare workforce

Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, has written an article for the Nursing Times looking at how apprenticeships will play an important role in shaping the future NHS workforce.

To read the article, please go to Apprenticeships offer a creative opportunity to further support the healthcare workforce.

Integrated health and social care apprenticeship

Working with social care partners, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust developed an integrated apprenticeship designed to provide a broad understanding of the different roles and responsibilities that exist in both health and social care.

Piloted over a year, the aim of the programme was to support those wishing to pursue a career across a range of care organisations. Starting with a two week clinical induction, the apprentices went on to undertake two six month placements, offered in a community care setting and on a hospital ward.

New healthcare apprenticeship standards launched

Three new apprenticeship standards have been launched for healthcare support workers, senior healthcare support workers and assistant practitioners.

Advanced Clinical Practitioner consultation launched

New Apprenticeship Standards are being developed in England which will replace the Apprenticeship Frameworks currently in use.  These new Standards describe the skills, knowledge and understanding required to carry out a specific occupation. The groups developing these new standards are called 'Trailblazers'.

The Healthcare Trailblazer has developed a new standard for Advanced Clinical Practitioner. This development of a standard seeks to underpin advanced practice across nursing and AHPs so it is important to ensure the proposal enables the development of AHP ACP roles across all sectors/ all professions/all roles