REWARD
a qualification because it’s something that can be taught or because someone believes it’s right. It must be built by people who know it’s right. Full industry engagement, including with employers and apprenticeship training providers (ATPs), ensures these professional and vocational apprenticeship qualifications are what the industry needs – in the spirit of National Apprenticeship Week 2023, ensuring that learning remains for life. Funding The other difference with apprenticeships is the way they’re funded. Employers can draw down on their apprenticeship levy funds or, where they don’t pay the levy, can apply for co-funding from the UK Government. In short, they‘re more cost-effective for employers and better value for money, as apprenticeships teach what’s required in the profession. No wonder the payroll apprenticeships are popular with employers; indeed, many commercial training organisations provide some of their own material to ATPs, while other ATPs develop their own. Level 3 to 5 to 7? As for a progression route from Level 5 to Level 7, once the review of Level 3 is all done and dusted, let’s have a think. Certainly, there needs to be a natural progression, and there’s an industry requirement for a professional and vocational apprenticeship at this level. One thing at a time. However, I’m seriously considering that the development of a Level 7 Payroll Manager apprenticeship is the professionally responsible thing to look at next. The Level 3 review In September and October, I wrote about the progress of the review of the Level 3 Payroll Administrator apprenticeship. This is a review I committed to when I first became trailblazer chair and one I was pleased to progress. As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, I’m pleased to be able to update the profession on the latest information:
and behaviours. They’ve been amended to ensure they remain relevant for 2023 and beyond, but also made more specific and unambiguous. It was a fact that the original 2018 version contained learning outcomes that could have been interpreted more than one way (though this was never the intention). The review has also seen changes to the way the knowledge, skills and behaviours are assessed by end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs). Assessment is a fundamental part of apprenticeships and, indeed, commercial qualifications. So, it’s correct they’re reviewed to make them robust and appropriate for the profession and apprenticeship, while also deliverable by EPAOs. Both the Standard and the end-point assessment plan are in the process of the approvals process with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (the IfATE). I’m pleased to say industry and trailblazer engagement has resulted in only a few comments by their reviewers, all of which I’ve been able to address, making only small changes. Funding On 6 January 2023, together with two ATPs, I met with the IfATE’s funding team to discuss the allocation of a new funding band, currently £9,000. This is a vitally important piece of the apprenticeship ’jigsaw’, as the funding band represents the maximum amount employers can use from their apprenticeship levy funds (with the same band being used to determine the maximum amount of UK Government co-funding).
All apprenticeships from all professions are assessed using the same approvals process and, typically, this can be up to 12 weeks before ultimate approval by the Minister. I’m hopeful the revised Level 3 Payroll Administrator apprenticeship will be available for delivery from the start of the new tax year, i.e. from April 2023. ATPs will have to revise their teaching offerings in line with the updated apprenticeship. EPAOs must also revise their assessment offerings. Apprenticeships: the route to payroll as a career So, in National Apprenticeship Week 2023, my two messages to the profession are simple ones: l payroll and reward are careers – we know that already and the task is to make sure others are aware too l apprenticeships, particularly the payroll ones, are the only route to a professional and vocational qualification which provide the knowledge, skills and behaviours for life. n Level 3 Payroll Administrator apprenticeship will be available for delivery from the start of the new tax year I’m hopeful the revised Payroll and reward are careers – we know that already and the task is to make sure others are aware too
The band represents the cost of teaching (by ATPs), the cost of assessment (by EPAOs) plus
administration. As with anything in life, it’s vital there’s an accurate reflection of the costs incurred. I’m pleased to say that the meeting was productive, and we’ve reached an agreement with the IfATE on a band level to be suggested to the Minister for skills, apprenticeships and higher education in England. The recommendation is that the funding band won’t be lower than the one that exists at present. Next steps The IfATE approvals process isn’t a short one and is, rightly, vigorous and robust.
The Standard and end-point assessment plan
These have both been reviewed by the trailblazer and me, bringing them up to date in terms of the knowledge, skills
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| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward |
Issue 87 | February 2023
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