A01-A06 England & Wales - Suport for Apprentices

Apprentices work while they're learning. So instead of taking you away from the day to day aspects of running your business, they can help you get the job done. An apprentice can bring a lot more to your site than an extra pair of hands; energy, enthusiasm and supervisory opportunities for more senior staff, which will all help to build a stronger sense of team work.

At ConstructionSkills we have a dedicated team who will find the right apprentice to suit your business. Click here to register for an apprentice today.

Choose a link below for more information about grants available to support apprenticeships in England and Wales:

What training and achievements are supported?

What is the status of trainees supported?

How much are the grants?

How do I claim?

What else might I be able to claim?

What training and achievements are supported?

Registration onto an approved apprenticeship scheme.

Off-the-job attendance with an approved work-based learning provider (training provider) on an approved course.

Achievement of an NVQ.

Achievement of an apprenticeship framework. View more information about apprenticeship frameworks.

There are three routes for an apprenticeship to follow:

• Apprenticeship only - apprentices who only work towards achievement of an apprenticeship, Foundation Modern Apprenticeship (FMA) in Wales, or an NVQ Level 2 containing the appropriate level of core skills where no framework is available.
• Advanced Apprenticeship (AA) direct - apprentices who work directly towards the AA in England or Modern Apprenticeship (MA) framework in Wales.
• AA conversion - apprentices who complete the two year apprenticeship/FMA or an NVQ Level 2 containing the appropriate level of core skills and then transfer to a one year AA/MA Framework.

What must I do if I want to claim these grants?

There are eligibility criteria that you must meet across five different areas if you wish to claim grants for your apprentice. The criteria relate to:

• approved training
• the work-based learning provider (training provider) you use
• you as an employer
• your apprentice
• registration of your apprentice onto an approved scheme

As the training system differs in England and Wales from that in Scotland different criteria apply. Please refer to the Support for Apprentices Scottish Web Pages for more information about these criteria.

Approved Training

The minimum requirement for ConstructionSkills approved training is 35 days attendance each year, on a day-release or block-release course that leads to an approved NVQ qualification in a construction-related occupation that forms an integral part of an apprenticeship framework. You can download a list of Approved Qualifications for Achievement grants A31, A32, A33 and A34 including those qualifications applicable to apprentice grants for more information.

Work-based learning provider (training provider)

If you wish to claim grants you must use an approved work-based learning provider. A list of approved work based learning providers can be obtained from your local ConstructionSkills office.

Approval is based on the following factors:

• The work-based learning provider must hold a work-based learning contract with the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) or the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) for the delivery of apprenticeship frameworks.
• The work-based learning provider's framework achievement rate must be a minimum of 55%.
• The work-based learning provider must have been awarded a minimum of Grade 3 by the Office of Educational Standards (OFSTED) for England or Estyn for Wales - and the contributory grade for work-based learning (WBL) must be Grade 3 minimum. Those training providers who subsequently fall below this standard (receiving Grade 4) will be expected to achieve Grade 3 at the re-inspection to maintain approved work-based learning provider status.

ConstructionSkills Apprenticeships has approval as a work-based learning provider; please contact your local ConstructionSkills office if you would like further information.

If your training provider is not yet approved, arrangements will be made for them to be added to the approved list, if they meet the criteria. To confirm if your work-based learning provider is approved please contact your local ConstructionSkills office.

Employer

You must be able to offer the range of work and experience necessary to comply with NVQ work-based evidence requirements.

You must ensure that your apprentice has access to support and guidance.

You must nominate a work-based recorder (WBR) or a work-based assessor who has undertaken, or is already committed to take, a ConstructionSkills WBR course (grant A38 supports this training). For more information about work-based recorder courses please contact your local ConstructionSkills office.

Employers must provide tools and protective clothing.

Apprentices will be expected to receive an appropriate wage, for example under the Building and Allied Trades Joint Industry Council (BATJIC) rule agreement, although the level of the wage you pay lies solely between you and your apprentice. For further advice employers should contact the National Minimum Wage Helpline on 0845 6000 678, view online information or contact their Federation.

Apprentice

Your apprentice must be employed by you.

Your apprentice must pass the ConstructionSkills Structured Learning Exercise (SLE) and demonstrate the ability to complete the Key Skills element of the apprenticeship framework:

• The minimum standard is a score of 11 on the SLE diagram interpretation element and a score of 6 on the numeracy element. This score may be higher depending on the occupation chosen. Contact your work-based learning provider (training provider) in the first instance about taking the test as they may already be using the ConstructionSkills test.
• The exercise is available free of charge from your local ConstructionSkills office and must be taken in controlled conditions. Contact your local ConstructionSkills office for more advice.

You must ensure that your apprentice is registered with an approved work-based learning provider (training provider) and that the agreed main learning objective is the completion of an apprenticeship framework - or alternative where a framework is not available.

You must inform your local ConstructionSkills office immediately if the apprentice:

• leaves the training programme or your employment
• is dismissed

To inform us please download the appropriate form.

Failure to report any of the above will result in action by ConstructionSkills to recover any overpayment of grant.

What training and achievements are not supported?

Whilst you are claiming apprentice attendance grants you cannot claim any other grant for the same apprentice other than:

• Necessary and appropriate off-the-job training that is not included in the individual's apprenticeship framework where the cost of the training is met by the employer (e.g. First Aid training or Confined Spaces training). This is only available to employers who have a Training and Development Plan supported by grant B102.
• A skills test which is supported by grant A07.

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What is the status of trainees supported?

Employed apprentices following ConstructionSkills' approved training where funding agency finance is available.

If you are in the Specialist Sector and you cannot meet the criteria for apprentice grants, alternative grant may be available through the Training and Development Plan route.

Programme Led Apprentices (PLAs) who have successfully completed their Level 2 NVQ and who wish to progress to an Advanced Apprenticeship are eligible for third year attendance grant payments (A05) and the appropriate achievement grants (A32 and A06).

What is the status of trainees not supported?

Apprentices who do not meet any criteria.

Programme Led Apprenticeships (PLAs) - apprentices on a complimentary apprenticeship routes who are only eligible to receive NVQ/SVQ achievement grants A31/A32 and not registration, framework or attendance grants.

Labour-only sub-contractors (LOSC) and agency staff.

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How much are the grants?

The grant rates for apprentice attendance are fixed within the CITB-ConstructionSkills Grants Scheme year in which your apprentice started training, even if rates are increased or decreased in subsequent years.

The grant rates for NVQ and framework achievements are paid at the rate current at the time of your apprentice achieving the qualification.

The grants payable depend upon which route your apprentice follows:

* If your apprentice is completing an AA direct apprenticeship they may not complete the NVQ Level 2 (A31) or the apprenticeship framework. However, the value of these grants will be paid to you when your apprentice achieves the AA.

** Grant for 3rd year attendance (A05) is only payable if your apprentice:

• is studying for the AA/MA direct route
• has achieved an apprenticeship framework (A04) and is converting onto a Modern Apprenticeship (MA) framework
• has completed a PLA Level 2 NVQ and is progressing towards an AA qualification

Other financial support may be available. If ConstructionSkills Apprenticeships is the work-based learning provider or if your apprentice is attending the National Construction College we will pay the college tuition fees and some travel costs. Please apply to our new entrant training team at your local ConstructionSkills office.

If you employ an apprentice whose previous employer has already received grants, you may be entitled to further grant support for that apprentice. You can download further information about grants for partially trained apprentices.

If you meet the eligibility criteria at 31st July each year you will automatically receive 25% supplementary payments on attendance and achievements attained during that Grants Scheme year.

This rate may be reduced if sufficient Levy funding was not available. This is only likely to take effect in exceptional circumstances.

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How do I claim?

Your apprentice must be registered under a ConstructionSkills approved, industry apprenticeship scheme if you wish to claim these grants.

For example:

• Construction Apprenticeship Scheme (CAS)
• other schemes including heating and ventilation, surveying, plumbing and electrical

If the scheme you wish to use is not listed please contact your local ConstructionSkills office for advice.

CAS

If your apprentice is with ConstructionSkills Apprenticeships as the work-based learning provider the CAS registration form will be sent to you separately for completion once all apprenticeship paperwork is complete. You need to sign and return the deeds to ConstructionSkills.

If your apprentice is with another approved work-based learning provider a CAS registration form will be sent to you separately for completion once you have returned your YNET/Grant02A claim form to your local ConstructionSkills office. You need to sign and return the deeds to ConstructionSkills.

The apprenticeship deeds must be correctly completed and sent to the Data Management Unit, ConstructionSkills, Bircham Newton, Norfolk, PE31 6RH. There is an administration charge of £25 for processing the CAS deeds. This charge will be deducted form your attendance grant (A02, A03 or A05)

If your apprentice is signing up to CAS you must comply with the following deadlines:

• your apprentice must have completed 13 weeks continuous contracted employment with you.
• attendance grant will only be paid once the CAS deeds have been received by the Data Management Unit. CAS deeds must be received within the 26 week deadline for attendance grants to be backdated to the start of training.
• if you miss the 26 week deadline but send the deeds to us within 53 weeks we will pay attendance grants (for A03 and A05) where applicable starting from year 2 as well as achievement grants (A04, A06, A31 and A32) as appropriate.
• if you miss the 53 week deadline you will forfeit all of the attendance grants (A02, A03 and A05). However, you may still claim the achievement grants (A04, A06, A31 and A32) as appropriate.

Other Schemes

If you and your apprentice are signing up to another scheme which has been approved, you must complete the relevant application form, which can be obtained by calling the Call Centre on 0870 417 577.

There are penalties for not lodging you apprenticeship deeds in accordance with the Grants Scheme rules.

What claim forms do I use?

Apprentice grants are paid to you in a number of different ways:

• A01 - apprentice registration grant. Please refer to registration information above for details of deadlines. Once we have received your CAS deed or other approved scheme documentation a pre-populated claim form will be sent to you to claim the registration grant, provided you are eligible to receive this under the Grants Scheme rules. You will need to sign the form and return it to the CITB-ConstructionSkills Levy & Grant Department to claim your grant.
• A02, A03 and A05 - 1st, 2nd and 3rd year attendance grants. No claim form is necessary. This grant is paid automatically every 13 weeks. There is no deadline.
• A31/A32 - NVQ Level 2/3 achievement grant. A pre-populated claim form (GC1/1) will be sent to you where Construction Awards Alliance is the awarding body. You will need to sign the form and return it to the CITB-ConstructionSkills Levy & Grant Department to claim your grant. For all other awarding bodies (or if you do not receive a claim form within the three months of your apprentice receiving their certificate) please download and complete a GC1 claim form and submit this to the Levy & Grant Department.
• A04/A06 - Apprentice, FMA, AA and MA Achievement. A pre-populated claim form GC1/1 will be sent to you where Construction Awards Alliance is the awarding body. You will need to sign the form and return it to the CITB-ConstructionSkills Levy & Grant Department to claim your grant. For all other framework achievements (or if you do not receive a claim form within three months of your apprentice achieving their framework) please download and complete a GC1 claim form and submit this to the Levy & Grant Department.

All GC1 claim forms must be received by 31st October 2009 unless the certificate is still outstanding, in which case it must be submitted within 3 months of the certificate issue date or your claims will be rejected.

Where do I send the forms?

All apprenticeship deeds should be sent to the Data Management Unit, ConstructionSkills, Bircham Newton, Norfolk, PE31 6RH.

YNET/Grant02A forms should be sent to your local ConstructionSkills office (with the exception of Construction Industry Training Contractors (CITCs) which should be sent to the CITB-ConstructionSkills Levy & Grant Department at the same address as above).

All other claim forms must be sent to the CITB-ConstructionSkills Levy & Grant Department.

What else do I need to submit?

If you are claiming a framework achievement grant (A04 or A06) where the certificate is not awarded by Construction Awards Alliance, you must attach a copy of this certificate to your GC1 claim form.

If you do not receive your certificate before the deadline you must still submit a claim form. We will ask you to provide evidence of achievement when it is available to you.

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What else might I be able to claim?

If you employ an apprentice who was made redundant by their former employer you may be entitled to an adoption grant.

Where applicable you may also claim for passing a Skills Test (grant A07).

Where applicable you may also claim grant for sending an employee on a ConstructionSkills work-based recorder course (grant A38).

You may also claim for necessary and appropriate off-the-job training which is not included on the individual's apprenticeship framework (e.g. first aid or confined spaces training) through a Training and Development Plan (grant B101/102), where the cost of the training is met by the employer.

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