Level 6 Apprenticeship FAQs

1. What is the Apprenticeship Standard for Youth Work?

The Apprenticeship is a way of getting qualified as a Youth Support worker (Level 3) or a professional Youth Worker (Level 6) while working full-time in youth work in England. The  Apprenticeship Standards have been created by a ‘Trailblazer Group’ of youth work employers and training providers alongside members of Education Training Standards Committee, supported by the National Youth Agency. The Standards have been approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and the Level 3 is currently available. The Level 6 should be available via universities who have chosen to run it from 2022.

2. How do the Apprenticeship Standards relate to other youth work qualifications?

The Apprenticeship Standards are based on the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Youth Work. These also underpin all youth work qualifications recognised by the JNC. The off the job training element of the L6 Apprenticeship will be delivered through universities and apprentices will achieve a recognised degree in Youth Work. The training for the Level 3 is provided by approved training providers and apprentices will receive a Level 3 Youth Support Worker qualification. Apprenticeships require an independent ‘end point assessment’ (EPA) which for Level 6 will include an observation of practice, a presentation and a professional discussion with an independent, suitably qualified and experienced assessor who has not previously assessed the apprentice’s practice.

3. Will the Apprenticeships be recognised by JNC?

The level 3 is delivered by approved providers and is equivalent to the current Level 3 diploma. Universities offering the L6 Apprenticeship will need to have professional validation from NYA/ETS. NYA/ETS is working with JNC Staff and Employer Sides to ensure the validation process for apprenticeships is robust. While the Level 6 is not yet approved by JNC we are working closely with them to ensure that it will be by the time it is offered. Approval can not be given yet as the apprenticeship is in its final stages of development.

4. How can I become a L6 Youth Work Apprentice?

Apprentices need to be in employment in the relevant field. Some youth work employers are keen to establish L6 Youth Work Apprentice posts. Apprenticeships will be advertised through the usual channels for Youth Work posts, or possibly on this website; https://findapprenticeshiptraining.apprenticeships.education.gov.uk/courses

5. I’m a Youth Work employer. How do I recruit an apprentice?

Details about how to employ an apprentice can be found here – https://www.gov.uk/employing-an-apprentice
Apprentices are aged 16 or over and combine working with studying to gain skills and knowledge in a specific job. Apprentices can be new or current employees. You must pay the apprentice at least the minimum wage.
Your apprentice must:

  • work with experienced staff
  • learn job-specific skills
  • get time for training or study during their working week (at least 20% of their normal working hours)

You can then choose the appropriate apprenticeship (Level 3 Youth Support Worker or Level 6 Youth Worker), and select a training provider here – https://findapprenticeshiptraining.apprenticeships.education.gov.uk/

6. I’m a youth work employer – how can I find a university that is offering the L6 Apprenticeship near me?

As of Jan 2022 we are just beginning to support Universities to provide the Level 6 apprenticeship, but expect it to be available in some areas by September 2022. If you can’t find an appropriate provider through the link above, get in touch with the NYA and we may be able to let you know of other courses planned in your area.

7. Funding for employers

All the details for funding apprenticeships can be found here – https://www.gov.uk/employing-an-apprentice/get-funding
You can get help from the government:

  • to pay for apprenticeship training and assessment
  • as an incentive payment for other costs

Help to pay for apprenticeship training and assessment

The amount you get depends on whether you pay the apprenticeship levy or not. You pay the levy if you’re an employer with a pay bill over £3 million each year.

If you do not need to pay the levy

You pay 5% towards the cost of training and assessing your apprentice. You need to:

  • agree a payment schedule with the training provider
  • pay them directly for the training

The government will pay the rest (95%) up to the funding band maximum. They’ll pay it directly to the training provider. You could be eligible for extra funding depending on both your and your apprentice’s circumstances.

If you pay the levy

You’ll receive funds to spend on training and assessing your apprentices. The government will add 10%.

To get funding from government employers need to register for an apprenticeship service account which can be done here – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/manage-apprenticeship-funds . This will enable you to access and manage funds.

8. I run a Youth Work course in a University – How do I provide the apprenticeship?

Universities who already offer a professionally qualifying BA Hons course in Youth Work will be eligible to offer the Level 6 apprenticeship. The ETS requirement for this is that you submit a “Substantial Modification” to the NYA detailing how you will adjust your course to accommodate on the job learning, and how you intend to provide an independent end point assessment – support for this is available through contacting the NYA ETS Officer. New courses will need to apply for validation in the usual way, specifying the apprenticeship as an option.

Universities will also need to ensure they are registered as an apprenticeship provider, the process for which can be found here – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-of-apprenticeship-training-providers

They will also need to register as End Point Assessors which can be done here – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-of-end-point-assessment-organisations

NYA/ETS is adding a section on apprenticeships to their validation guidance identifying the additional expectations of universities offering apprenticeships as a route to professional qualification.

9. What is the End point Assessment and how does it work?

The End Point Assessment (EPA) is how the apprentice qualifies. For the Level 6 apprenticeship, Universities can conduct their own EPA providing the assessor has been entirely independent of the assessment process for learners up to that point. The EPA consists of a presentation, and observation of practice and a professional discussion. Up to that point, the University will assess the progress of the learner through the usual methods, and the learner can gain credits through this process as they would on a standard BA Hons course.

Organisations wishing to employ apprentices at Level 3 need to check the register of End Point Assessment providers to find an appropriate EPA provider – details here, https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-of-end-point-assessment-organisations

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