There are several changes with regard to Apprenticeship and the new Funding Model 36.
The Funding Information System (FIS) is undergoing changes as a result of new funding calculations required to support the apprenticeship service. For 2017 to 2018, we will continue to maintain FIS for:
- adult education budget funded programmes
- apprentices that started before 1 May 2017
- 16-19 provision
We will not include apprenticeship (funding model 36) funding calculations for new starts from 1 May 2017. However, the validation rules will include funding model 36.
FIS is not adaptable enough to meet the demands that would be placed upon it by the new apprenticeship programme. Therefore, the (new) apprenticeships funding calculation will not be available in the FIS for 2016 to 2017.
From 1 May 2017, the Hub includes apprenticeship (funding model 36) funding calculations for new starts. Providers will be able to access their earning calculation within FIS. We recognise this is an issue for a number of users and have started discussions with software suppliers with regards to how we can help them to support the sector over the next 12 months.
This is now an opportunity to review the services offered by the Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) going forward, including FIS, and to determine which options are available and what level of support the sector needs. We are looking to undertake a discovery phase (user needs) with regards to the future of the FIS and will consider options going forward, including an integrated online version of FIS. We will seek your initial feedback which will influence our business case development process.
We intend to develop a system which is easier to maintain and update, and which will supply more accurate reports for providers.
Guidance Documentation
The guidance PDF can be found on
and is titled:
Guidance for returning apprenticeships on the ILR from 1 May 2017: version 2 (31 January 2017)
Within TERMS
- For funded apprenticeships started on or after 1 May 2017 the Funding model must be recorded as code 36
- There is a new Learning Delivery Funding and Monitoring item ACT - Apprenticeship contract type 'The type of contract under which this apprentice on this apprenticeship is being funded'. This is a dated FAM i.e. has possibly more than one dated records.
- The Trailblazer Financial record is filled in as required.
It would be easiest to start new Activities for the Apprenticeships starting from 1 May, as Apprenticeships started before then need to have FM 35 but from 1 May onward they need to be FM 36.
In TERMS you can change the Funding Model at the Activity level so that all new registrations for that activity will pick up FM 36 for the new Study Aims.
You can also overwrite a Study AIm Funding Model if you need to (if it is recorded as 35 incorrectly and you want it to be 36).
There is the ACT Learning Delivery FAM on the Study Aim Monitoring 1 tab and the dated detail on the Monitoring 2 tab (similar to LSF settings) i.e. set the dated record and this data will be exported with the survey but ensure that the Monitoring 1 ACT has a value in it (to help with reporting).
Building and exporting a survey in TERMS will export the FM 36 and any dated ACT FAM as required.