Degree apprenticeship fees advice

[Sb1234]

Hi,

In 2018 i accepted a job offer for a surveyor within construction under the fairly new degree apprenticeship route. I would be studying in university part time once a week and the remaining 4 days on the job.

The degree apprenticeship route is slightly more intense and a year shorter than the standard part time degree.

However after 2 years within my current role i am seeking a position within another sector. I have one year left on my part time degree.

My contract was a pretty standard graduate scheme contract and states that if for the reasons I ;

1. withdraw from the degree
2. dismissed from the company
3. resigns from the company ( prior to completion or within 24 months after the end )

I would be liable to reimburse the employer the costs set out within the agreement (9k per academic year).

However i have had some advice from a student who has been in a similar situation and he advised me to a document called apprenticeship funding rules for employers. https://assets.publishing.service.go...v1.0_FINAL.pdf

See page 20 E68.3 stating the employer must not ask the apprentice to contribute towards fees whether the apprentice fails to complete the course, or terminates early.

As far as i was aware the degree apprenticeship was paid from a mandatory levy that all employers with an annual turnover of £X amount has to pay into to. Therefore no direct payments made to the university.

To summarise basically i am wondering does my signed agreement trump the education and skills funding agency regulations on apprenticeship funding? And would i be liable to pay back any of the fees incurred?

Any guidance or information would be greatly appreciated.

[ULA]

The link you have been provided is for apprenticeships that start from Aug 2020. Given that you started your apprenticeship in 2018, dependent on which month either one of the two documents below are relevant to you and need to be reviewed in conjunction with your contract.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apprenti...-to-2019-rules

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apprenti...-to-2018-rules

[Sb1234]

Thanks for the reply.

I have reviewed both documents and the “Who can be funded” section states the principles of the employer not asking the apprentice to contribute financially, whether that be if the apprentice completes the programme successfully or leaves the program early.

The document that would apply to me is the 2018-2019 as my contract began in September.

[Sb1234]

It is section E55.4 that states this.

The principles have stayed the same through each documents over the years 2017-2020.

[ULA]

Have you had confirmation that your employer is a levy-paying employer participating in the apprenticeship programme through a digital account on government's apprenticeship service.

[Sb1234]

Hi,

yes that is correct. My employer has an annual turnover of more than the mandatory required levy enrolment amount of £3M +.

Therefore my employer has/is funding the training through the levy pot.