91��Ʒ��Ƶ

Any subcontractor must pass a detailed due diligence process which includes but is not limited to: appraisal of Ofsted or applicable assurance reports for validation of quality, appraisal of trainer qualifications, business continuity plans and must be on the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers. If a subcontractor is not on the register they will not be approved for partnership for Apprenticeship programmes.

In all instances we retain clear and transparent accountability for the quality of training provision, maintain proper and appropriate controls to manage the apprentice experience; and seek to ensure that value for money is achieved by efficient subcontractor management. These controls are validated by an annual subcontractor controls evaluation carried out by an independent assurance specialist.

In all instances we would provide quality assurance through close monitoring by the Head of Apprenticeships and officers of the University. The types of subcontract arrangement, quality assurance and costs of the models are explained in more detail below.

The written agreement with the employer for apprenticeship provision will always list the costs of the subcontract in line with the apprenticeship funding rules.

The Apprenticeship Manager has responsibility for assuring the quality of delivery of subcontracted provision and a regular programme of activity is agreed to monitor provision.

This includes a regular and substantial programme of quality-assurance checks on the apprenticeship training and on-programme assessment provided by delivery subcontractors, including visits at short notice and face-to-face interviews with staff and apprentices to ensure apprentices exist and are eligible; and involves direct observation of initial guidance, assessment and delivery of training and/or on-programme assessment.

Payment to employer providers will be made to cover direct costs only as required in the ESFA funding rules. Employers subcontracted to deliver part of an apprenticeship must evidence the direct costs of their delivery in order to claim payment.

The management fees are individually negotiated with each subcontractor and are agreed between the parties in advance of the commencement of the subcontracting arrangement.

• Typically, the management fees cover the provision of: Administration.
• MIS function relating to the submission of funding claims to the ESFA.
• Provision of management meetings.

Full details of payment arrangements are agreed between the parties in advance of the subcontracting arrangement. For the avoidance of doubt, this includes:

• The amount of funding we will retain for direct delivery.
• The amount of funding we will pay each delivery subcontractor for their contribution.
• The specific amount of funding we will retain to manage and monitor each delivery subcontractor (including monitoring the quality of the provision provided by the subcontractor).
• The specific amount of funding we will retain for each other support activity we will provide to each delivery subcontractor.

A contract is put in place between the University and each delivery subcontractor which specifies the following:

That the subcontractor must:

• Keep to the funding rules.
• Provide us with data so that our data returns to the ESFA accurately reflect delivery information.
• Give the ESFA and any other person nominated by the ESFA access to their premises and to all documents related to their delivery of apprenticeships.
• Always have suitably qualified staff available to provide apprenticeship training and/or on-programme assessment.
• Co-operate with us to ensure that there is continuity of learning for apprentices if the subcontract ends for any reason.
• Communicate in writing to us if evidence of irregular financial or delivery issues arises. This could include, but is not limited to, non-delivery of training when funds have been paid, sanctions imposed by an awarding organisation, allegations of fraud, an inadequate Ofsted grade, allegations or complaints by apprentices, employers, staff members, or other relevant parties.
• The subcontractor must not use ESFA funding to make bids for, or claims from, any European funding on their own behalf or on our behalf.
• They must not use payments made by ESFA as match funding for ESF projects.

Functional Skills

Rationale

It is a government requirement that all apprentices must have achieved relevant Level 2 qualifications, as defined by the ESFA, in English and Maths prior to completion of the apprenticeship programme. Some applicants to the University’s apprenticeship programme will have already satisfied this requirement prior to commencing their apprenticeship but others may have not. Where this is the case, the University will subcontract the delivery of functional skills qualifications for English and/or Maths.

Our rationale for the subcontracting of this functional skills provision is primarily to fill a gap in provision, as the University does not deliver teaching of these skills at this level. In addition, we also recognise that by offering applicants the opportunity to complete the functional skills programme alongside their main apprenticeship programme, rather than rejecting their application until such time that they have completed Level 2 qualifications in English and/or Maths, we are also enhancing opportunities for young people and adults and offering an entry point for disadvantaged groups.

Delivery

Where an Apprentice does not possess English and Maths transferable skills at level 2 or above, we will select a training provider with specialism for delivery of the English and Maths Functional Skill qualifications necessary for the apprentice to meet the requirements of the Apprenticeship standard.

Quality Assurance

In addition to the elements identified above, in the functional skills subcontract model, we retain all responsibility for resolving any issues and disputes between the employer and delivery subcontractor. In the employer subcontract model issues and disputes will be managed by the Head of Apprenticeships.