The Government has provided guidance and advice for apprentices, employers, training providers, end-point assessment organisations and external quality assurance providers. The guidance provides information in respect of the following:

• Flexibility to allow furloughed apprentices to continue their training as long as it does not provide services to, or generate revenue for, their employer
• Encouraging training providers to deliver training to apprentices remotely and via e-learning as far as practicable
• Allowing the modification of end-point assessment arrangements, including remote assessments wherever practicable and possible in order to maintain progress and achievement for apprentices
• Clarification that apprentices who are ready for assessment, but who cannot be assessed due to Covid-19 issues, can have their end-point assessment rescheduled. Apprentices whose gateway is delayed can have an extension to the assessment time frame
• Enabling employers and training providers to report and initiate a break in learning where the interruption to learning due to Covid-19 is greater than 4 weeks
• Providing clarification on how to record breaks in learning so that funding is not unnecessarily disrupted
• Confirming that, for any apprentices made redundant, they aim to find them alternative employment to be able to continue their apprenticeship as quickly as possible and within 12 weeks

If your business has taken on apprentices and you feel that you need further guidance on how to manage them during this time, then please contact Sarah Collier on 01204 527777 or scollier@kbl.co.uk to discuss this further.

Correct as at 24th April 2020