Whether we deliver the training ourselves or use another accredited local training provider to do this on our behalf, all apprentices employed by the Council will benefit from the same great support and terms and conditions of employment.

We currently can offer apprenticeships at intermediary, advanced and higher levels in the following areas, with many more in development:

• Customer Service
• Business Administration
• Finance and Accounting
• Social Care
• Civil Engineering (Highways)
• IT and Digital Development

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Statement on the use of Sub-Contractors in Apprenticeships

Scope

This statement covers the activity for which the apprenticeships Employer Provider is funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) for sub-contracted provision.

It applies to our use of subcontractors in apprenticeships in the 2021 to 22 funding year.

Context

This statement is a mandatory requirement of the ESFA funding rules. Our approach has been developed in line with the ESFA funding rules.

Principles

Worcestershire County Council Apprenticeships Employer Provider team promise to give the best service to apprentices and employers. Our aim is to meet the needs of the organisation and create chances for employees to learn, grow and succeed.

As the employer provider, all of our apprenticeship delivery is carried out by the internal Worcestershire County Council Employer Provider team.

As is the requirement, we use approved Independent End Point Assessment Organisations (IEPAO’s) to conduct the End Point Assessments with our apprentices at final three months of their apprenticeship study programmes.  This element is fully funded by the levy, as per ESFA Funding rules.

Worcestershire County Council Employer Provider team seeks to secure value for money in our selection of Independent End Point Assessment Organisations. The cost of which is agreed prior to commencement and is included in the levy payments made via the Digital Apprenticeship Service.

Use of Subcontractors

Worcestershire County Council Employer Provider has the expertise to deliver the full content and curriculum of our specified apprenticeship programmes. We currently do not use subcontractors to deliver any part of the said apprenticeship programmes.  

Maths and English programmes are provided by Worcestershire County Council’s own internal Adult and Community Team.

Reasons for sub-contracting

There is currently no requirement for sub-contracting.  

Reason that we might consider subcontracting in future may include:

• enhancing opportunities available to apprentices
• providing wider choice and range of provision for learners and employers regionally and nationally
• providing wider geographical access for learners across Worcestershire or the West Midlands
• to support the strategic aims of Council
• maximising content through procurement of specialist or niche provision and expertise
• offering achievable entry points to disadvantaged learners

Quality assurance programme to be provided if sub-contract delivery is used in future

 The Head of the Employer Provider Apprenticeships Team will hold the responsibility for assuring the quality of delivery of subcontracted provision. A regular programme of quality assurance activity will be agreed to monitor provision

This quality check programme will regularly review apprenticeship training and assessments done by subcontractors. It will include surprise visits and face-to-face interviews with staff and apprentices. We will also watch how guidance, assessments, and training are delivered to make sure everything is done properly.