Introduction to the new apprenticeship standards

New apprenticeship standards have been developed during 2017/18 by employer-led ‘Trailblazer’ groups across the country.

The government has introduced an employer levy to fund growth in these new apprenticeship standards from April 2017.  All levy paying schools should be able to access the funding through a levy account to use towards training for current employees .  SBM trailblazer employer groups have developed a range of new apprenticeship programmes that will be eligible for up to 100% of this funding (for levy paying schools). (Non-levy employers may access apprenticeship training through the employer co-investment scheme – see gov.uk web link here)

New SBM apprenticeship programmes have been available since Spring 2018 and are  suitable for current school staff including school business managers and leaders, support staff, teaching assistants and others.

The new Level 4 School Business Professional was approved in early 2018 and we are now delivering it termly. The Level 6 CMDA for Schools was launched in late 2019.

The apprenticeship levy may be used to cover up to 100% funding for the professional development of current school staff

What can schools spend the levy on?

A range of new apprenticeship standards are currently being developed by ‘Trailblazer’ employer groups. Some of these are specifically aimed at school support staff, including school business managers, teaching assistants, school administrators and more. Some will also be aimed at school leaders.

How will the funding for an apprenticeship work?

If your school is an employer contributing to the levy fund (from April 2017), then you should be able to access either the school’s apprenticeship account or your MAT or local authority’s apprenticeship account (for those schools who staff pay bills are held by the local authority) to pay for the apprenticeship; payment is collected by HMRC via the PAYE system.

Even if your school doesn’t pay the apprenticeship levy you may still be able to access up to 95% (from April 2019) of the funding from the levy through the employer co-investment scheme – see gov.uk web link here .

Who is eligible?

Any current staff members over the age of 18 yrs. There will be a range of apprenticeship qualifications from Level 3 right up to Level 7 (Master’s level), so there should be a suitable qualification for most school staff.

Level 2 in English and maths will also be required, but if you don’t have these qualifications we can help you gain the level 2 requirement during your SBM studies.

When can I start?

Although a number of the new apprenticeship standards will commence from May 2017, those specifically being developed for school staff will be available from Spring 2018 onwards (subject to Institute for Apprenticeships approval).

How does my school access the levy funding?

All schools who contribute monthly to the levy fund (i.e. those with a staffing budget exceeding £3m/year) will be allocated a digital (or levy) account. The school can access their digital apprenticeship account to draw down funds to pay a training provider. The account funds must be used within two years. Schools will then pay their training provider monthly.

Latest government guidance on apprenticeship funding can be found here.

Many schools may find that they pay the levy as part of their local authority contribution. If this is the case, speak to the finance team at your local authority to find out how you can access these funds. Training providers may need to submit to a local authority’s tendering process as well.

What apprenticeships will the SBM Partnership offer?

Serco (part of the SBM Partnership) has been a provider of apprenticeship training for many years, and now, through the SBM Partnership (Serco Education and Adfecto) we are hoping to deliver apprenticeship qualifications specifically aimed at school staff, from Level 3 up to Level 7 (Level 4 to 7 apprenticeships are referred to as ‘higher apprenticeships’).

The following apprenticeship standards are in development and should be available from Serco and our SBM partner, Adfecto, from Spring 2018 onwards (dates below are indicative only):

• Level 4 School Business Professional now available – click here for further details
• Level 6 CMDA for Schools now available – click here for further details
• Level 7 Senior Leader  Apprenticeship (School Leaders) now available – click here for further details

This section only summarises key points of the government’s trailblazer apprenticeship scheme. (‘Trailblazers’ refers to the employer-led groups that are developing the various apprenticeship standards).

For further information, please visit the government’s apprenticeship area or contact us directly (see below).

Summary – Ready, Levy, Go!

• Up to 100% funding is available to spend on current school staff – you do not need to recruit new employees to take advantage of the scheme.
• Non-levy paying schools are able to access up to 95% funding (from April 2019) through the employer co-investment option, and will be required to pay 5% of the costs themselves.
• Specialist apprenticeship qualifications, at various levels, for school staff are available from 2018. You can also register your interest in the Level 7 Senior Leader Masters Degree Apprenticeship (SLMDA) (School leaders) by emailing us now (with no commitment to join an apprenticeship) and we will update you once more details become available during 2019.

Further documentation and information about the new apprenticeship standards and levy funding published on the main Gov.UK website can also be found here.

Next step

To register interest in the above proposed apprenticeships please email us now: [email protected]

Please visit the main pages for the Level 4 SBPA or CMDA for Schools to apply now.

Enquiries: 01452 341 829 (office hours)