The ESFA has published version 8 of the guidance on the apprenticeship programme response to COVID-19. This version includes:
- Information on the actions that training providers should take for the return of apprentices in September.
- Information on how apprentices who have been made redundant, or who are at risk of redundancy, can access online and telephone support through the Redundancy Support Service for Apprentices
- Confirmation that routine funding audits are planned to restart from September 2020
- Information on the new incentive payment for hiring a new apprentice.
This article highlights the funding audits section which states that they will restart in September for independent training providers and November for colleges.