The Apprenticeship Programme is a key part of our acclaimed Talent Management Programme. Whether we deliver the training ourselves or use another accredited local training provider to do this on our behalf, all apprentices employed by Worcestershire County Council will benefit from the same great support and terms and conditions of employment.

Worcestershire County Council 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 has a commitment to deliver excellence for apprentices and the employer, meeting organisational needs and generating opportunities for employees to develop, progress and excel.

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 Assurance programme will include regular 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 and will involve direct observation of initial guidance, assessment, and delivery of training and/or on-programme assessment.

Review

This policy will be reviewed annually and made available on the Worcestershire County Council website Apprenticeships page.