Our Higher Degree Apprenticeships combine both academic learning and on-the-job practical training in the workplace. Working with a range of national and regional employers, we have developed bespoke apprenticeships to meet the specific needs of both employers and apprentices.
We specialise in creating blended training solutions tailored to an employer’s individual business, to provide practical, immersive and experiential learning based around a learner’s work environment.
Whilst on their apprenticeship programme with us, your apprentice will also be welcomed as a student into the Edge Hill community, and will be treated as any other student.
This comes with numerous advantages, including access to a wide range of support and resources available through our Student Services and Learning Services Teams. However, it also ensures the responsibility of adhering to the University Regulations and policies that apply to all members of our community, ensuring benefit to you as the employer.
agreeing that programme eligibility and funding terms are based on a programme of at least 30 hours a week, and that if an apprentice’s working hours drop below this, that the programme will need to be extended pro rata
acknowledging that the apprenticeship requires at least 6 hours per week of off-the-job training (not including the End-Point Assessment) over the duration of the practical period (the period for which an apprentice is expected to work and receive training)
assisting the University in collecting evidence of off-the-job training
providing the apprentice with the appropriate paid time to study within the working day and for off-the-job training, including any apprentices on zero-hour terms
giving the apprentice opportunities to practise new skills in the work environment
ensuring that under the Employment Rights Acts 1996, the apprentice will be classed as an employee
providing equality of opportunity in the workplace regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or beliefs and to treat the apprentice equitably, fairly and reasonably, as with the rest of the workforce, and not discriminate or act unfairly against the apprentice
agreeing that the apprentice will not be asked at any time to contribute financially to the cost of training or the End-Point Assessment
understanding that if an apprentice becomes unemployed or self-employed during the apprenticeship, this will make them ineligible for the apprenticeship and funding, and will require their withdrawal from the programme
complying with all Government Acts and Statutes relevant to this employment including Safeguarding Act 2006; Equality Act 2010 and Counter-Terrorism Act 2015.
To study for an apprenticeship programme at Edge Hill University, the applicant must:
be employed with a contract that lasts for the full duration of the programme
have the right to work in the UK
not have studied on an equivalent programme before the commencement of the programme that they are applying to
have achieved GCSE Mathematics and English at Level 2 (GCSEs at Grades 9-4 or A*-C, or equivalent) or above, and be able to provide evidence of this achievement
meet the University’s specific entry requirements for their chosen programme, including academic requirements and/or relevant experience
confirm their commitment to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviour required to achieve the apprenticeship, notifying us and yourself of any change in circumstances which may impact on the apprenticeship, and to keep a record of their off-the-job learning.
The University is required to track off-the-job training that apprentices complete. As the University, we will keep registers of their attendance at sessions taught on our campus. We will also ask you as the employer to confirm their attendance with you, for example, attending placements to ensure the planned off-the-job hours are achieved.
The apprentice will then be asked to periodically upload evidence of their off-the-job hours to the University’s Apprenticeship Management System, Aptem as detailed in their learning plan. You will have access to Aptem and will be able to see their progress.
Tripartite review meetings are a key monitor of an apprentice’s progress. They take place every 12 weeks and involve the nominated member of university staff, the apprentice and their employer. Meetings will typically last for 30-45 minutes and the agenda covers:
progress with on-the-job training
progress with academic study
attendance and off-the-job training (including progress against the planned off-the-job hours)
any support needs identified
any changes to job roles or practical arrangements for the apprenticeship.
Following the meeting, the University representative will save a record of the meeting (using the Tripartite review in Aptem) which will include agreed actions, for you and the apprentice to sign.
Change in professional circumstances
Apprentices must be employed for the duration of the apprenticeship in a job role which will allow them to meet the requirements of the apprenticeship standard. The apprentice must inform the University about changes to employment including changes to working hours, job role, location or supervision arrangements. They must inform the University if their employment is terminated, or if they are made redundant or move to a different employer. Changes in employment status, employer, working hours or job role may lead to:
a revision of arrangements set out in the training plan for programme delivery
a break in learning whilst any short- or medium-term employment issues are resolved
an offer to transfer to an alternative programme of study
withdrawal from the apprenticeship programme.
Change in personal circumstances
Sometimes apprentices might experience an event in their personal lives which has an impact on their ability to study. Our Student Support Team are here to offer any additional support or guidance they may need. Depending on circumstances we may offer (in addition to the above):
If there are insufficient funds in your Digital Apprenticeship Service account, you must contribute the relevant co-investment rate of the outstanding balance for that month. This rate will be the co-investment rate that was in place when the apprenticeship started. For all apprentices starting on or after 1 April 2019 the rate is 5%. We will invoice you separately for any employer co-investment including any VAT and we will report the date that we receive your payments on the Individualised Learner Record.
Please note that co-investment does not apply to English and Maths, learning support or additional payments.
Individualised Learner Record
We will process details of the training that your apprentice is receiving via a monthly submission of the Individualised Learner Record (ILR). It is important that you ensure that all details on the Digital Apprenticeship Service account match up with the details we have been provided with for the ILR, otherwise a ‘Data Match Error’ will occur, and payments will not be able to be made.
You can request that we add your apprentices’ details onto the system for you to minimise the risks of a Data Match Error occurring.
Levy paying employers
The apprenticeship levy applies to all employers in the UK with an annual pay bill of more than £3 million. The levy can only be spent on apprenticeship training and assessment with an approved training provider. It cannot be used on other costs associated with your apprentices, such as wages or travel costs, or for other types of training. Levy paying employers are required to set up a Digital Apprenticeship Service account in order for their levy to be used. You are responsible for recording the required details of the apprenticeship in your apprenticeship service account (also referred to as the Digital Account).
Once you have set up your account, you are ready to sign in and manage your account. With your permission we can add your apprentice/s details for you. You just need to select that option on your account, or you may wish to upload the information yourself.
Only you can confirm the spending of funds from your Digital Account and you must not delegate this function, nor can you allow any third party to authorise payment through the Digital Account. In order to do this, you will need your organisation’s Government Gateway User ID and your company PAYE details. It is usually the Payroll or Finance Departments who do this.
Levy paying employers can transfer up to 25% of their levy funds to other employers. The transfer allowance is calculated from the total amount of the levy declared during the previous tax year plus the 10% government top up payment. Employers receiving transferred funds will only be able to use them to pay for training and assessment for apprenticeship standards. A transfer must be agreed and put in place before an apprentice starts their apprenticeship.
Non-levy paying employers
From January 2020 all employers who do not pay the apprenticeship levy (those who have a pay bill under £3 million) are now able to create accounts on the apprenticeship service and are also able to:
choose from a range of apprenticeship standards
choose a provider from the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP) to deliver apprenticeship training
find an End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO)
reserve access to funding for apprenticeship training and assessment
benefit from collaborative relationships by delegating permissions to providers to service their accounts.
Employers who do not pay the apprenticeship levy are required to reserve funds through the apprenticeship service before an apprenticeship can commence. As a non-levy-employer you will be required to fund 5% of the training fee with the Government funding the remaining 95% of the fee.
Once you have set up your Digital Apprenticeship Service Account, you can:
invite other members of your team to join the account (you can control what each team member can do within the account)
sign the employer agreement with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA)
view transactions and check your funds
search for apprenticeships and approved training providers
add apprentices and update details of existing apprentices.
Managing payments
You can manage payments in your account by using stop or pause. Do not stop an apprenticeship unless the apprentice has withdrawn as they cannot be restarted again and this may impact their eligibility if done in error.
Employer payments
If you are entitled to receive any additional employer payments, these will be paid to you within 30 days of receipt by the University. For queries about additional payments, please contact [email protected].
Keeping apprentices safe
Working in partnership across a range of organisations, we aim to promote the highest standards in relation to safeguarding and the promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults. This also extends to our students who have chosen to study at the University as part of an apprenticeship programme.
As such, we’re committed to working together with our partner employers, creating a fantastic leanring experience and ensuring the highest levels of apprentice safety and wellbeing.
Safeguarding responsibilities
Edge Hill University adopts the highest standards and takes all reasonable steps in relation to the health, safety, and welfare of children, young people, and adults accessing its services and facilities – and this includes our apprentices. The University believes that it is unacceptable for a child, young person, or an adult to experience any form of harm or abuse. Their welfare is essential, and they have the right to protection and support. Under legislation, all parties involved in an apprenticeship must take reasonable action to minimise risks to apprentices. This includes aspects of the apprentices’ experience, both in and outside of the workplace, as well as during any attendance at our university. Employers should understand that safeguarding concerns can arise because of activities associated with the employer or the University but that they may also not be related to these.
A member of staff, student, or volunteer acting on behalf of the employer or the University may become aware of an issue and raise safeguarding concerns about an individual. Our university Safeguarding Policy and associated procedures covers all such instances and outlines, for apprentices and employers, the principles and approach accepted by the University as essential to safeguarding. Employers are provided with copies of this policy when registering to offer an apprenticeship with us.
Safeguarding issues are likely to come to light through one of four main methods: direct observation, disclosure from a child or adult at risk, observation by a third party or referral from an external Public, Statutory or Regulatory Body (PSRB). In addition, there are several indicators which fall under the definition of safeguarding, including:
abuse (emotional and physical)
bullying (including online)
discrimination
forced marriage
mental health
neglect and self-harm
radicalisation and extremism.
Our commitment to safeguarding is overseen by a lead Safeguarding Officer. They promote and implement the Safeguarding Policy, ensuring that it is reviewed regularly and acted upon. All members of university staff working with apprentices are trained in safeguarding and can access additional information, advice and training when appropriate. Apprentices are also provided with Safeguarding and Prevent training as part of their induction process, over and above that required for their course.
Your duty and role as the employer
Employers have a similar duty to comply with all current and future UK legislation and statutory responsibilities. There is a particular expectation that an employer should take responsibility for an apprentice’s welfare in the workplace and to also seek appropriate advice when they feel an apprentice may be at risk in their personal lives. As an employer, your role is to also:
familiarise yourself with relevant government legislation
take the appropriate steps to understand what safeguarding means in practice at their organisation, in the context of the responsibilities they have for the people they employ
ensure that any staff working with apprentices in a position of trust are appropriate for the role and do not present any danger or threat.
We appreciate that for many organisations this can be a confusing and complex area and so Edge Hill University strive to work closely with all employers to support the apprentice experience in relation to Safeguarding.
Our role as a university and training provider
Our role as a university and training provider to ensure safeguarding of our apprentices includes:
ensuring that employers are aware of their safeguarding obligations, through guidance and training
giving apprentices the awareness of safeguarding, helping them to understand how to access university support services
providing safeguarding training for all university employees working with apprentices and for apprentices’ themselves as part of their induction
making sure that university staff working with young and vulnerable people are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
maintaining open channels of communication with each employer. Apprentices may act very differently depending on their environment and may feel more comfortable discussing sensitive issues with different people.
Inclusion information
We encourage all apprentices to share disability or health related information with us so we can make the necessary reasonable adjustments for you to develop study strategies. Apprentices with disabilities or health conditions can access a variety of advice, support and technologies provided by our specialist support teams. These include the Inclusion Team, who provide support to those living with a health conditon and the Specific Learning Differences (SpLD) Team, who can provide advice about assessment and support for apprentices in their learning.
