Functional Skills - Clarification of Delivery

Hi Sue Wise,

I would say you are currently doing it correctly. Start date is the first instance of actual teaching and learning.
Initial assessment is not usually considered learning.

Phil

No, start date is about learning. Assessment/diagnostic is not learning, so you are doing the correct thing, keep on doing it ;)

Thanks Philip and Steve I thought that was the case but just wanted to double check.

Sue

It would not be my preferred method of planning an Apprenticeship programme due to extending the programme and increased OTJ hours requirement but there is nothing in the funding rules that prohibits front loading FS.

Keli

Even though you may not be delivering KSB for the standard in the first few months the on programme payments will start as of the start of the practical period, but this is no different to block release training which may be condensed at the start, during or at the end.

HTH

Thanks for the clarification Martin, it's good to know that it's possible to front load FSkills.  We currently have an extended programme running but wanting to look into the possibility of delivering FS first and completed, so the learner is then able to focus on the main aim. 

Apologies I have another question Martin - if the FS aims were to be completed first, is it correct that the learner would still be required to complete some form of learning and evidenced for the main aim (at the start of the prog and on a monthly basis, during completion of FS) as i'm aware FS doesn't count towards the OTJ requirement?

Thanks again.

This is covered in the following Q and A from the OTJ training guidance.

Q3. “Does there have to be a monthly confirmation that the 20% off-the-job training has been met?”

A3. No, off-the-job training is not monitored on a monthly basis. We will expect to see in the evidence pack a plan of how the training will be delivered as well as evidence of the off-the-job training undertaken by the learner to date. The evidence should match the plan of delivery.

It might not be possible for all apprentices to have received 20% off-the-job training at any given point, as the delivery model might include, for example, block release.

HTH

Appreciate your response, thanks Martin.

Sue

Hi Martin West I think the response you provided above (to myself and Keli) relates to a different post which was set up by Keli (I will add your response to Keli's post for her to view, hope that's okay.

Thanks.

Sue