James Gibson

Withdraw/Rejoin EPA

Created

Apologies in advance if there is an obvious solution to this problem that I've overlooked. I've been through the funding rules and the forum and can't seem to find something that applies to these circumstances.

We have a complicated case where one of our apprentices has been made redundant during their EPA. In theory we should be able to see them through to completion but their EPAO require an employer to sign off elements of their EPA so we have been stuck in limbo until the apprentice can find a new employer.

In these circumstances, should we withdraw the apprentice? If at a point in the future they were to find a new employer who would be willing to support them to complete their apprenticeship, would we be able to allow them to re-join just to complete the EPA? 

Replies

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Kelly Knights

Apprentices are expected to be employed but if the redundancy rules apply and you're allowed to keep them on programme maybe tell them to read the rules.

Melanie Aspinall

Is there not a possibility that your assessor/coach of the apprentice acts as a proxy employer for the purposes of providing any required competency statement if a new employer cannot be sourced? Have a look at P173.3 of the 20-21 funding rules. That might help.

Kelly Knights

Very true - the rules do say if you keep an apprentice on programme under redundancy rules any employer signatures can be signed by the provider. I've actually signed Gateway forms for this reason.

James Gibson

Thank you all for you responses. We're going to have another conversation with the EPAO to see what is possible.