Subcontracting Policy

A S Training offers Level 2 to Level 5 apprenticeships over a range of occupational standards, specialising in travel, aviation, marketing and leadership. A S Training undertakes subcontracting agreements as part of its apprenticeship offer where a subcontracting arrangement will add value to the quality of its apprenticeship delivery and operates in-line with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) apprenticeship funding rules and guidance.

A S Training is the main apprenticeship training provider and sub-contracts specialist training to a partner institution for the delivery of Functional Skills to provide expert provision. In this case A S Training retains oversight of the whole apprenticeship and maintains the relationship with each employer.

This policy governs the apprenticeship subcontracting provision within A S Training and applies to all ESFA funded provisions. The Apprenticeships Subcontracting Policy is a mandatory requirement for subcontracting activity and is published on the A S Training website.

A S Training recognises that it holds full accountability for the delivery of subcontracted activity. It is the responsibility of both A S Training and their subcontractors to refer to the rules and guidance of the ESFA.

A S Training will undertake a robust process of due diligence when selecting potential subcontractors to demonstrate value for money and to ensure the highest quality of learning delivery is made available to apprentices.

In line with the ESFA Guidance, A S Training will only procure the service of subcontractors who are registered on the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP).

A S Training will conduct a due diligence review of its subcontractors, to ensure that the subcontracted provider continues to be able to deliver contracted services.

In accordance with the ESFA funding rules, as the lead training provider, A S Training will undertake a substantive portion of the delivery of any apprenticeship where a subcontracting arrangement is in place.

Quality of subcontractor’s arrangements and delivery will be monitored by:

• Regular contract meetings between A S Training and it’s subcontractor.
• Review of the subcontractor’s Quality Improvement Plans (QIP) and Self-Assessment Report (SAR).
• Other ad hoc meetings, visits and discussions take place for general issues as they arise.
• Regular planned and unplanned observation visits to check on the quality of Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG), teaching, learning, assessment and progress
• Review of the subcontractors policies relating to apprenticeship delivery and requirements, such as Safeguarding.

Where a subcontractor permanently changes delivery staff on a programme, they should inform A S Training of this change immediately, and undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check as appropriate.

Declaration of use of sub-contractors

In line with the ESFA funding rules, A S Training will submit a subcontractor use declaration to ESFA at least twice each year summarising the value of any sub-contracted provision paid for in the previous period.

A S Training will pay all ESFA funding received to the subcontractor for the delivery of functional skills qualifications. The payment terms is 30 days upon invoice date.

Michelle Van-Sprang
Director
Published: April 2024