A Guide to Apprenticeships for Bradford Council' Maintained School Workforce

Apprenticeships Guide for Bradford Council Maintained Schools

What is an Apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a paid job combined with training, enabling employees to gain the knowledge, skills and experience needed for their current role and future career.

Apprenticeships are available to both existing employees and new recruits and can support workforce development, succession planning and productivity.
 

Funding

Apprenticeship training is funded through the Growth and Skills Levy (formerly the Apprenticeship Levy), paid by employers with an annual payroll exceeding £3 million.

Key Points

• There is no cost to schools for apprenticeship training costs as these are funded through the Council's levy account.

• The Council's Apprenticeship Team arranges payments to approved training providers.

• Schools are responsible for paying the apprentice's salary.

• Schools can set apprentice salaries provided they meet or exceed the current National Minimum Wage for apprentices.
   

Eligibility

Employees can undertake:

• A higher-level apprenticeship in a related subject area; or

• A lower-level apprenticeship in a different subject area.

Example: An employee with a Maths degree can undertake a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner apprenticeship.

To be eligible, individuals must:

• Be employed in a role relevant to the apprenticeship.

• Have the right to work in the UK.

• Have been resident in the UK for at least three years.

Duration and Training Requirements

• Apprenticeships typically last between 12 months and 6 years.

• Most Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships last 1–2 years.

• Apprentices must complete a minimum of 6 hours per week of off-the-job training during working hours.

• Employment contracts must cover the full apprenticeship period, including End Point Assessment (EPA) and any agreed extensions.

Training Providers

Bradford Council's procurement process requires maintained schools to use approved apprenticeship providers, and these must be agreed by the apprenticeship team.

Schools must:

• Contact Bradford Council Apprenticeship Team before arranging apprenticeship training.

• Use the provider identified through the Council's procurement process. (Wherever possible, local Bradford and district providers will be used).

• Complete the apprenticeship approval form before any funding can be approved. See attached.

Please note: Apprenticeship training arranged directly with a training provider will not be approved by the apprenticeship team for levy funding.

Salary

Schools determine apprentice salaries, provided they meet or exceed the current National Minimum Wage for Apprentices.

2025/26 Apprenticeship Funding Rule Changes

Applicable to apprentices starting on or after 1 August 2025.

Functional Skills (English and Maths)

Apprentices Aged 16–18

Level 2 Apprenticeships

• Must achieve Level 1 and attempt Level 2 Functional Skills if they do not already hold GCSE Grade 4/C or above.

• They must attempt the assessments but do not need to pass Level 2 to complete the apprenticeship.

Level 3 and Above

• Must achieve Level 2 Functional Skills if they do not already hold GCSE Grade 4/C or above.
   

Apprentices Aged 19+

With employer agreement, apprentices can choose whether to study Functional Skills.

• Opt in: Complete the required assessments but can still progress to EPA without passing.

• Opt out: Progress directly to EPA without undertaking Functional Skills qualifications.
   

Shorter and More Flexible Apprenticeships

From August 2025, some apprenticeship standards can be reduced from 12 months to 8 months where appropriate.

Key Changes

• Prior learning and experience must be assessed and recognised.

• Apprenticeships must include at least 187 hours of off-the-job training (OTJ).

• Apprentices with no prior learning must complete the full OTJ training hours.

• Training programmes can be tailored to meet individual needs while meeting funding requirements.
   

Part-Time Apprentices

Separate rules for part-time apprentices have been removed.

• Apprenticeships no longer need extending solely because an employee works fewer hours.

• Training should be planned realistically around working patterns.
   

Application Form for Apprenticeship Qualification

Further Information

Bradford Council Apprenticeship Team
📧 apprenticeships@bradford.gov.uk

Meena Mistry
📧 meena.mistry@bradford.gov.uk

Sadaf Iqbal
📧 sadaf.iqbal@bradford.gov.uk