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I have seen something in the rules that states its okay if they are within 4 weeks of their course end date but that may only be for loans when a learner wants to subsequently enrol on a Apprenticeship.
As a general rule of thumb they can't study both at the same time, so it may be best to wait until they've completed the other course.
I'd say the online one is 99% likely to be fine.
With the A Level, they won't (shouldn't!) be off roll at a college (they're meant to return everyone!), but, assuming the learner:
a. isn't getting First FL3 Entitlement or accessing the National Skills Fund (latter would only apply to science A Levels anyway)
b. hasn't taken an Advanced Learning Loan out
(and I'd take the learner's word for it, difficult to prove a negative) then I'd say it would be fine as they "must" be paying for it themselves, particularly as I assume they won't finish it off til next June which is a while to wait....
Jim Thomas
Applicants finishing other courses
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Hi
We’ve had a few enquiries recently where applicants are finishing off other qualifications and want to begin their apprenticeships whilst these are still going on.
We’re obviously being very cautious where there is a suspicion of DFE funding (or a loan) being used for these but is there a quick and reliable way to identify what would be allowed and what wouldn’t?
These are not directly related to the course being applied for (P89.2.1) and are not taking place during employment hours (P89.2.3).
The current courses are ending and the applicants are keen to accept the new apprenticeship opportunities, so we’re happy with P89.2.2.
This just leaves P89.3. – [individual must not] be in receipt of any other direct DfE funding during their apprenticeship programme
One of the applicants is finishing an “off-roll” A-level with a local college; the other is doing an online-only course at their own expense with a private provider.
How can we check if these are acceptable? We don’t want to pressure a learner to discontinue any education but delaying their enrolment will affect their training, and also has implications for the Hire A New Apprentice incentive the employer should be due.
Thanks all