Melissa Munning

Apprenticeship agreement signature date

Created

Please could I ask what you do regarding apprenticeship agreement signature dates? In the 21/22 funding rules it was clear the commitment statement had to be signed before the apprenticeship agreement but in the 22/23 funding rules, it doesn't include this clarity and says the agreement needs to be in place from the start of the apprenticeship and nothing really clear about dates of signatures on the training plan.

Should the apprenticeship agreement be signed by the employer and apprentice on or before they start their overall apprenticeship or their practical period?

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Ben James

This thread might help.

Essentially though, yes, the apprenticeship agreement should be signed on/before they start. Though as Steve points out above, it will only present 'real' issues where the dates cross months. 

Melissa Munning

Thanks Ben! Do you think it's on/before they start their overall apprenticeship or their practical period though?

I'm not sure how it could be overall apprenticeship, as I imagine some employers possibly might not have picked their training provider at that point!

Ben James

The overall apprenticeship (though opinions may differ). The rules state:

P29 You must have evidence that the apprentice has an apprenticeship agreement with their employer, at the start of and for the duration of their apprenticeship

They also make clear the difference between the start of the apprenticeship and the start of the practical period where they explain that whilst most often these dates are the same, there are instances where they are not

P30.4.2 In the case of an individual who is recruited specifically into a business as an apprentice, the practical period start date may be slightly later than the apprenticeship start date. This is so the individual can begin their job role first (the apprenticeship start date) and then begin their training (the practical period start date). These dates would usually be no more than 2-3 weeks apart.  

(Edited)

Melissa Munning

Thanks Ben, that is really helpful!