What training and achievements are supported by these grants?
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.
There are three routes for an apprenticeship to follow:
- Apprenticeship (App) only – apprentices who only work towards achievement of App, National Traineeship (NT) Framework 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 App/NT or an NVQ Level 2 containing the appropriate level of core skills and then transfer onto 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 ‘Support for Apprentices’ Scottish web pages on this site.
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. You can download a list of Approved Qualifications for Achievement Grants A31, A32, A33 & A34 including those qualifications applicable to Apprentice grants for more information (24kb PDF file).
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 Department for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DELLS) for the delivery of apprenticeship frameworks. - The work-based learning provider must have been awarded a minimum of Grade 3 from the Office for Educational Standards (OFSTED) - 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 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, online at www.dti.gov.uk or by contacting your 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, however, 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 - the apprentice is dismissed - to inform us please us the appropriate form
Failure to report any of the above will result in action by ConstructionSkills to recover any overpayment of grant.
Apprentice Registration Your apprentice must be registered under a ConstructionSkills approved industry apprenticeship scheme if you wish to claim grants. For example:
- Construction Apprenticeship Scheme (CAS) - other schemes include heating and ventilating, surveying, plumbing and electrical If the scheme you intend to use is not listed please contact your local ConstructionSkills office for advice.
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 with the appropriate fee. 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 grant claim form. You need to sign and return the deeds to ConstructionSkills with the appropriate fee. If you and your apprentice are signing up to CAS, the apprenticeship deeds must be correctly completed and sent to the Data Management Unit, ConstructionSkills, Bircham Newton, Norfolk, PE31 6RH, with a cheque for the fee of £25 (as at 1st June 2007), made payable to ‘ConstructionSkills’. 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 your apprenticeship deeds in accordance with the Grants Scheme rules. Full details can be found by clicking the How to Claim tab above.
What training and achievements are NOT supported by these grants?
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 employers (e.g. First Aid, Confined Spaces training) who have a Training & Development Plan, supported by grant B102 - A skills Test supported by grant A07