Apprenticeship training can be funded by the levy for entry-level roles or career development for existing staff. Options include:
- Teaching Assistant (Level 3)
- Early Years (Level 2 and 3)
- Business Administration (Level 3)
- Management: Team Leader/Supervisor (Level 3)
- Management: Operational/Departmental (Level 5)
- Senior Leadership (Level 7)
- Property Maintenance and Support Services (Level 2)
- Teacher
More training options are available on the apprenticeships website. Qualifications are increasing all the time. There is no age restriction, and candidates may be eligible for funding even with existing or higher-level qualifications. All qualifications take at least one year to complete, longer if staff are employed on a term-time only basis.
Functional skills
Entry requirements vary by apprenticeship standard. For Level 3 or higher, apprentices without GCSEs or equivalent in Maths and English at grade C/4 or above must complete functional skills as part of the apprenticeship. To complete the apprenticeship, they must achieve an approved Level 2 in both subjects.
For Level 2 apprenticeships, apprentices work towards Level 2 in English and Maths. If they already hold or are assessed at Level 1, they must start, continue to study, and take the test for Level 2, but do not need to pass it. All functional skills training is covered by apprenticeship funding, but training time must be during working hours.
Support and sourcing a training provider
Where the local authority is the employer, schools can access levy funds through the council's early careers team. They will help identify a training provider from the approved list and provide recruitment guidance if needed.
Line manager approval is required for apprenticeship qualifications undertaken by existing staff for their continuing professional development.