EPA Re-Sit Fee

The answer is 'it depends'. As suggested in the guidance, as part of your EPAO contract negotiations, they may include resits within the fee you pay them for the cost of conducting the assessment. If so, then despite the fact that (as stated below) re-sits are ineligible costs, it would effectively be paid for with levy funds. If not, then it would need to be paid for separately via whatever process you should have negotiated/is set out within your contract with them. 

Who is responsible for resit costs?

The employer has responsibility for the majority of their apprentice’s training. Employers are expected to financially support apprentices until completion, including paying the cost of resits, when necessary. Resits are ineligible costs and are not funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).

The EPAO and training provider are not responsible for resit costs but may agree to contribute and can include this in their agreement at the beginning of the apprenticeship.

For example, a training provider may contribute to the cost of a resit if the apprentice fails a theoretical element of the training. An EPAO may offer one or more resits in the initial contract price.

The number of resits that can be taken by an apprentice will be at the discretion of their employer, unless the assessment plan limits this to one.

The ESFA recommends a limit of 2 resits, however more than 2 resits can be taken if needed, unless otherwise specificed in the assessment plan.

Apprentices cannot be asked to pay for costs of training and assessment and are not responsible for resit costs.

Pre-gateway agreements

It is recommended that employers, training providers and EPAOs agree how any resits will be paid for at the beginning of their contract. Employers and training providers should also agree in advance who will pay for resits not included in their contract.