The ESFA has issued an update relating to non levy procured apprenticeship contracts. Contract extensions were issued to training providers at the beginning of March with a start date of 1 April 2020. Training providers with existing procured contracts received extensions to these same contracts, which cover the new financial year (2020-21) in full. These extensions were to fund carry over costs for existing apprentices as well as new apprenticeship starts, with start dates up to and including 31 October 2020. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, they are now extending the transition period onto the apprenticeship service – funds available for new starts on non-levy procured contracts can now be used until 31 March 2021. The ESFA have said that following this extended transition all starts will be through the apprenticeship service from 1 April 2021. Contract variations will be issued in the summer to support the changes and performance management rules will be confirmed shortly through the usual routes. Comment on the delay to full rollout of the apprenticeship service can be read here.
