The ESFA have added an extension to IfATE discretions and flexibilities to end-point assessment which are as follows:
- Removed the apprentices on furlough section as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has ended
- Removed the section on temporary flexibility permitting end-point assessment prior to FSQ achievement as it has ended
Further information can be found at Providing apprenticeships during the COVID-19 pandemic – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Permanent and discontinued flexibilities in Apprenticeships from January 2022
The Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education published an update on 5th August 2021 on the current flexibilities, which will see seven amendments come into permanent effect from the 1st January 2022. The institute will publish further guidance on how the seven flexibilities will be implemented later in the summer of 2022. The updated guidance can be found here, which also includes the plans to discontinue three types of current flexibilities from the 1st January 2022 which are:
- Permitting email confirmation as evidence of achievement of qualifications where awarding organisations were unable to issue certificates
- Enabling apprentices to spend more than 50% of their working hours outside England where they were unable to return to England to work
- Permitting end-point assessment prior to FSQ achievement
If you would like to view the temporary discretions and flexibilities currently in place, click here.