Apprenticeship Training Agencies
What is an Apprenticeship Training Agency (ATA)?
Apprenticeship Training Agencies (ATAs) offer a unique approach to the recruitment of apprentices. The ATA model is intended to support the delivery of a high quality Apprenticeship programme with a focus on small employers who wish to use the services of an ATA to source, arrange and host their Apprenticeships. This could be for a number of reasons including them not being able to commit to the full framework, short term restrictions on employee numbers, or uncertainty about the value of an Apprenticeship.
The distinctive feature of the ATA model is that it is the ATA which acts as the apprentice’s employer and which places them with a host employer. The host employer pays the ATA a fee for the apprentice’s services; this fee being based on the wage agreed with the host (at least the minimum Apprentice rate) and the ATA management fee.
If circumstances change and the host employer is unable to retain the apprentice the ATA will find alternative and appropriate employment for the apprentice giving them the reassurance that they can continue their Apprenticeship.
- Support with recruitment, finding the right apprentice to meet the employers’ needs
- Responsibility for the wages, tax, National Insurance as well as administration and performance management
- Supervision of the apprentice during the Apprenticeship period
- Links with an approved training provider and support to both the apprentice and host employer throughout the Apprenticeship
The ATA is not a ‘temporary work’ business but rather a means to manage and give real flexibility to the delivery of a high quality Apprenticeship. This flexibility also applies where employers may not be able to offer all aspects of a framework but linking them with other host employers allows the full range to be covered.
For the apprentice the ATA gives another route into an Apprenticeship which can offer them the opportunity to experience a range of employers and increased security around the continuation of their Apprenticeship.
For a full description of the key features and behaviours of an ATA see the ATA Framework.
The Agency Workers Regulations 2010
The Regulations provide agency workers (which can include apprentices taken on via an agency) with rights from day one of an assignment and equal treatment rights after the agency worker has worked in the same job with the same hirer for a period of 12 calendar weeks. The Regulations seek to create parity between workers and employees doing the same/similar roles and the test relates to what comparable workers and employees receive. The Agency Workers Regulations guidance document.
ATA Recognition Process
There has been significant growth in the number of Apprenticeship Training Agencies (ATA) operating over the past two years. With this number looking set to increase further, the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) has added value to the strength of the ATA model by introducing a new ATA Recognition Process and a National Register of Approved ATAs which will maintain a high quality of service.
In association with the Confederation of Apprenticeship Agencies (COATA) the NAS will be launching the new Apprenticeship Training Agency (ATA) Recognition Process from the beginning of April 2012. NAS and COATA share responsibility for ensuring compliance, and will jointly agree future changes and developments of the ATA Recognition Process.
The ATA Recognition Process will apply to existing and new ATAs in England, and requires ATAs to operate in accordance with the ATA Framework. To give existing ATAs time to prepare applications and to ensure ATAs can continue to operate from April 2012 prior to making an application for ATA Recognition there is a 6 month window in which organisations will be able to operate without recognition until 31st August 2012.
ATAs offer a unique approach to the recruitment of apprentices. They are specifically designed to support employers who wish to take on an apprentice but are currently unable to. The process is being introduced to safeguard the quality of apprenticeships delivered under the ATA model.
Benefits of becoming an Approved ATA:
- Recognition that an ATA is providing a quality service
- Colleges, training providers, to only contract with those ATAs which are NAS Registered or ‘ATA in Development’
- To use and refer to ‘NAS Recognised ATA’ in marketing and promotional materials
- ATA organisations will be published on a National Register of Approved ATAs housed on the NAS website and visited by thousands of employers, providers and candidates
- Participate and contribute to research and development on ATAs
- Receive latest updates from NAS regarding ATAs related activities
- To be part of a wider network of approved ATAs
- Application/registration is free
ATA Recognition Process guidance document
As with the introduction of any new process there will be aspects which may require further development. With this in mind, NAS/COATA will be closely monitoring and evaluating the process following its introduction; seeking feedback from ATAs to ensure the process is both robust and workable.
ATAs: A Separate Legal Entity:
Paragraph 74 of the Funding Rules 2012/13 provides that providers must establish the ATA as a separate business so that apprentices are contracted employees of the ATA. This means that the ATA will have to be a separate legal entity in order to enter into contracts of employment with apprentices.
In practice this would be:
- Separate registration at Companies House or a separate legal partnership set-up.
- The ATA can be a separate legal arm or subsidiary set up by the parent Provider. They must ensure:
i Clear and separate financial management so that the Provider does not use SFA Apprenticeship allocations intended for training to support the operation of the ATA and this can be clearly demonstrated (HR and other business services can be shared with the parent Provider as they would be in other subsidiaries).
ii Apprentices are employed by the ATA, not by the Provider
iii A Provider-led ATA which just has a separate cost code does not constitute a separate business entity
See Funding Rules 2012/13
Please note Funding Rules may be subject to amendments. Providers will be informed of any changes via the Stakeholder Bulletin.
2009/11 NAS Funded ATA/GTA Pilot Programme
In 2009 twelve organisations were awarded a share of £7m NAS funding to establish Apprenticeship Training Agencies (ATAs) under the ATA/GTA Pilot Programme. The programme also funded two Group Training Associations (GTAs) as well as one hybrid ATA/GTA. The Pilot Programme ran from autumn 2009 to March 2011.
The Pilot Programme was in part a response from the previous government to the down turn in economic conditions, aimed at supporting SMEs so that they were more able to recruit, train and employ Apprentices within their businesses.
The Pilot ATAs drew their inspiration from the Australian Group Training Organisations (GTO). GTOs have been a feature of Australia’s apprenticeship system for over 20 years. They support SMEs, promote training in traditional trades, and employ young people placing them with suitable employers.
Find out more about the 2009/11 ATA/GTA Pilot Programme and evaluation.
National Register of ATAs in England
To be updated shortly.
Last Updated: 18/05/2012