The government has confirmed that apprentices can be furloughed in the same way as other employees and they can also continue to train whilst furloughed.
However, employers must pay apprentices at least the Apprenticeship Minimum Wage, National Living Wage or National Minimum Wage for all the time they spend training. This means employers must cover any shortfall between the amount they can claim for wages and the appropriate minimum wage.
Training providers have been asked to deliver learning and end-point assessments, where possible, remotely. If this can’t be done, apprentices can have their assessment time-frame and exam extended.
Employers and training providers have been asked to report and initiate a “break in learning” where the interruption to learning is likely to be longer than four weeks. In normal circumstances, this would be the responsibility of the apprentice.
Where apprentices have been furloughed and the training provider can deliver training remotely, they are permitted to continue with their course. Where apprentices are placed on unpaid leave, a break in learning should be considered, if appropriate.
Where apprentices are made redundant due to the coronavirus pandemic, the government has vowed to support them in finding alternative employment to continue their apprenticeship as quickly as possible and within 12 weeks. However, the government is reviewing whether this 12-week period is extended.
Apprenticeship training providers should continue to be paid retrospectively for the training they have delivered and can evidence. Employers should not use the apprenticeship service to pause or stop payments to the training provider for any training they have already delivered.
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