Paul Blackshaw commented, 05 March 2024 09:18

The 2024/25 definition has been updated this morning to mirror the existing definition for 2023/24 by adding "For new starts on or after August 2019, the planned end date must only include the learning related to the learning aim and not include the end point assessment period."

1. Apprenticeship 'Planned End Date' is changing in 2024/25

The 2024/25 definition has been updated this morning to mirror the existing definition for 2023/24 by adding "For new starts on or after August 2019, the planned end date must only include the lear...

Paul Blackshaw commented, 04 March 2024 19:36

I will ask the ESFA for confirmation whether the new definition is correct and will update on here when I get an answer. 

1. Apprenticeship 'Planned End Date' is changing in 2024/25

I will ask the ESFA for confirmation whether the new definition is correct and will update on here when I get an answer. 

Paul Blackshaw commented, 27 February 2024 10:36

ULNs for the individual FRM queries are available by clicking View All Data.  

1. FRM37 Planned/Actual off the job hours

ULNs for the individual FRM queries are available by clicking View All Data.  

Paul Blackshaw commented, 26 February 2024 08:54

I received an email on 23/2/24 from Helpdesk@manage-apprenticeships.service.go.uk confirming they are speaking to their Specialist Support Team about this. 

1. OTJT hours calculator

I received an email on 23/2/24 from Helpdesk@manage-apprenticeships.service.go.uk confirming they are speaking to their Specialist Support Team about this. 

Paul Blackshaw commented, 21 February 2024 17:05

Today's ESFA Update: 2. Information: R06 release of FRM37 data in the post-16 monitoring reports dashboard We have now published the FRM37 report (called ‘Apprenticeship off-the-job training (OTJT) hours below the minimum’) in the post-16 monitoring reports dashboard. We developed this report in tandem with the recently published Off-the-job training calculator to ensure providers have consistent data on apprentices who do not meet the minimum number of off the job training hours required to be eligible for government funding.  The off-the-job training policy remains key to apprenticeship delivery, and we are committed to ensuring that each apprentice receives the right amount of off-the-job training that they need and are entitled to. You must use these tools to ensure all apprentices receive the correct amount of OTJT for their programme. If this data appears inaccurate, we may require you to take further action to ensure you meet the minimum requirement. If individuals do not need the minimum required OTJT hours, they are ineligible for funding.

1. OTJT hours calculator

Today's ESFA Update: 2. Information: R06 release of FRM37 data in the post-16 monitoring reports dashboard We have now published the FRM37 report (called ‘Apprenticeship off-the-job training (OTJT...

Paul Blackshaw commented, 21 February 2024 17:03

Today's ESFA Update: 2. Information: R06 release of FRM37 data in the post-16 monitoring reports dashboard We have now published the FRM37 report (called ‘Apprenticeship off-the-job training (OTJT) hours below the minimum’) in the post-16 monitoring reports dashboard. We developed this report in tandem with the recently published Off-the-job training calculator to ensure providers have consistent data on apprentices who do not meet the minimum number of off the job training hours required to be eligible for government funding.  The off-the-job training policy remains key to apprenticeship delivery, and we are committed to ensuring that each apprentice receives the right amount of off-the-job training that they need and are entitled to. You must use these tools to ensure all apprentices receive the correct amount of OTJT for their programme. If this data appears inaccurate, we may require you to take further action to ensure you meet the minimum requirement. If individuals do not need the minimum required OTJT hours, they are ineligible for funding.

1. FRM37 Planned/Actual off the job hours

Today's ESFA Update: 2. Information: R06 release of FRM37 data in the post-16 monitoring reports dashboard We have now published the FRM37 report (called ‘Apprenticeship off-the-job training (OTJT...

Paul Blackshaw commented, 20 February 2024 10:23

Yes, I will gladly update this thread if anything else transpires. I genuinely hope the ESFA will acknowledge that rounding in the calculation is inappropriate and incorrect. 🤞 

1. OTJT hours calculator

Yes, I will gladly update this thread if anything else transpires. I genuinely hope the ESFA will acknowledge that rounding in the calculation is inappropriate and incorrect. 🤞 

Paul Blackshaw commented, 20 February 2024 10:09

Hi Gill. please see Further education and training providers community - OTJT hours calculator

1. FRM37 Planned/Actual off the job hours

Hi Gill. please see Further education and training providers community - OTJT hours calculator

Paul Blackshaw commented, 19 February 2024 15:54

The helpdesk escalated this to their specialist support team. They replied last week to confirm they believe the published calculator is correct because the rounding of the planned duration is defined in the published OTJ guide, paragraph 84, which states “Note that in the calculation the start point (duration) and the end point (minimum number of off-the-job training hours) are rounded up or down to a full number. Statutory leave is not rounded.”  I've replied expressing my concern that rounding is not stated in the funding rules. I've also questioned why rounding ever needed to be applied because, in a mathematical context, it's failing to correctly determine the 20% minimum based on the apprentice's normal working hours (capped at 30 hrs/wk if applicable and less stat leave).  Here is the explanation I received with an example where the duration is rounded up from 52 weeks and 4 days to become 53 weeks.    The OTJ guide (point 41 to 44, and 81 to 90), and Apprenticeship Funding Rules (2023-2024 points 73 to 74), base the minimum OTJ calculation on the number of weeks as opposed to days.   The calculation is as follow: (X weeks (minus statutory leave) x Y hours) x 0.2.   Example: Apprentice has a practical period start date of 01/08/2023 with a practical period end date of 02/08/2024. This is 52 weeks and 4 days rounded to 53 weeks.   The calculation would follow as: •    53 weeks minus the 5.6 weeks of statutory leave is 47.4. •    47.4 weeks x 30 hours is 1,422 •    1,422 x 0.2 = 284.4 OTJ hours This is rounded to 284 hours. Regarding FRM37s, until the ESFA confirm they will accept an unrounded calculation, the only available option is to increase the planned hours recorded in your ILR and the respective compliance documents (Training Plan and App Agreement).   The helpdesk also said "We appreciate your feedback and this will be passed onto the relevant teams for review." . I believe my query with the helpdesk continues to be open. 

1. OTJT hours calculator

The helpdesk escalated this to their specialist support team. They replied last week to confirm they believe the published calculator is correct because the rounding of the planned duration is defi...

Paul Blackshaw commented, 09 February 2024 14:16

Hi Christine. If L1 FS was started in the 2023/24 funding year, I would delete the aim from your ILR in order for the associated funding to be clawed back. If it was started prior to 2023/24, you will need to end the aim with effect from the start date and then use the EAS to return the funding relating to 2022/23. You can then add the L2 FS aim to your ILR to claim the funding for the period of L2 learning.   

1. Apprentice - FS Exemption

Hi Christine. If L1 FS was started in the 2023/24 funding year, I would delete the aim from your ILR in order for the associated funding to be clawed back. If it was started prior to 2023/24, you w...