Apprenticeship process for existing staff
Existing staff undertaking an apprenticeship
Funding learning programmes using the apprenticeship levy offers the opportunity for existing staff at University of Warwick to access over 800 accredited courses, from GSCE level right up to master’s level. There are many industry-recognised qualifications, for example Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) programmes and Chartered Institute of Personal and Development (CIPD). Read more about the courses on offerLink opens in a new window.
There is no change to your employment contract terms and conditions, no change to salary, and no training fees to pay, plus your learning would take place during working hours, with 20% of your time dedicated to the apprenticeship programme. There is also no age limit which is a common misconception. Read more about the apprenticeship programmes accessed by University of Warwick staff and about how the apprenticeship levy can potentially fund your future learning and development. Note: there is criteria regarding who can be funded for an apprenticeshipLink opens in a new window and not everyone is eligible.
Read more about how you might be able to use the apprenticeship levy to fund your development and read about next steps.
1. Research to find the right apprenticeship for you
A good starting point is to use the apprenticeship occupational maps. Next, discuss the opportunity with your line manager in your Personal Development Review (PDR)Link opens in a new window or 1-2-1 discussions. The line manager will need to confirm support of the apprenticeship as 20% of your working time each work will need to be dedicated to the apprenticeship. The apprenticeship will need to link to your current jobrole as you have to demonstrate the learning in practice, this is requirement of the funding rules. Note: there is criteria regarding who can be funded for an apprenticeshipLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window
The apprenticeship levy fund will cover the cost of the training programme. Any other costs will need to be covered by the department, for example, travel (some are online programmes), equipment, professional registration.
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2. Contact the Warwick apprenticeship team: staffapprenticeships@warwick.ac.uk
We will be able to explore if the course is funded by the apprenticeship levy and whether or not we have an existing training provider for that programme or help identify one.
3. Training provider
If the apprenticeship is delivered by University of Warwick, they will be the training provider used.
If we do not have an existing Training Provider for the apprenticeship, we will need to find a new one. It is worth considering your ideal delivery model of the apprenticeship (would you prefer online, in person etc). The cost will need to be agreed for the course and there is a maximum amount that can be paid for each apprenticeship. The apprenticeship levy can cover up to the maximum costLink opens in a new window allowed for the apprenticeship. Note: the apprenticeship levy does not cover travel, equipment or professional registration.
Once the training provider has been selected, the provider will need to complete the Warwick Data Processing Agreement and Warwick Supplier Assurance Questionnaire. The Warwick Apprenticeship Team will confirm if this documentation has been completed previously by the supplier. The training provider will also need to issue a contract to Warwick. This documentation will need to be collated by the line manager, along with an FP11 Form (signed by a budget holder in your team, even though the funding will be via the apprenticeship levy rather than the departmental budget) and sent to the Warwick Legal Team for review. Note: The contract can only be signed by a Finance Director, the Warwick Legal team will arrange this. This process normally takes 4 weeks so please allow enough time to do this before the apprenticeship commences.
The contract schedules (document with details the name of the apprentice, the apprenticeship and the cost) now also need to be signed by a Finance Director. It is ideal if this document can be sent along with the contract for review and sign off as payments cannot be set up until this document is signed.
3. Skills scan
The staff member will need to complete a learning review with the training provider to map out their apprenticeship programme. They will need to review your job description to ensure it is possible for you to put the learning from the apprenticeship into practice. They will also discuss your prior learning. Note: If you have completed a similar subject area qualification, they may not be eligible to complete the apprenticeship. You will need to contact the Training Provider for advice on whether or not they would be able to access funding for this apprenticeship.
4. Setup
You will need to sign a commitment statement (supplier by the training provider). Once this statement is sighed, please send a copy to the apprenticeship team along with the apprenticeship setup form and the signed copy of the training provider contract. This form contains the staff members date of birth, therefore it needs to be emailed to staffapprenticeships@warwick.ac.uk using an encrypted format for example, Warwick File sharing.
The staff member will be invited to a Warwick Apprentice Induction. They will also be added to the Warwick Apprenticeship Community Group (using MS Teams). This group have regular community cafes and are a supportive network of staff who are all completing their apprenticeship while working at Warwick.