Updated guidance for further education colleges and providers

We have updated our guidance on what further education colleges and providers will need to do from the start of the 2020 autumn term and confirmed that they can now make arrangements for learners aged 19+ to return to onsite delivery from 13 July, where this can be safely accommodated.

You should prioritise post-19 learners for return onsite as soon as is practical in the following priority order:

You should assess how many learners can safely attend while observing the summer term protective measures requirements.

Investment in traineeships and apprenticeships for young people announced

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced that businesses will receive a cash payment for every apprentice they hire, with a payment of £2,000 per apprentice under the age of 25, and a payment of £1,500 for apprentices aged 25 and over. These payments are in addition to, where appropriate, the existing £1,000 payment made to employers who employ a 16 to 18 year old apprentice or an apprentice aged under 24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan.

Businesses offering new traineeships in England will also receive a £1,000 bonus per new trainee, with triple the number of places available.

Over £100 million is also to be invested in providing more places on level 2 and 3 courses to help 18 to 19 year olds leaving school or college to find work.