Information for apprentice employers about coronavirus (covid-19)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPRENTICE EMPLOYERS ABOUT CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

The safety and wellbeing of learners, apprentices, employers and colleagues is our top priority at PM Training.

With this in mind, and in line with Government guidance, our education centres will be closed until further notice from Friday 20^th March in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in our communities.

Below you'll find important information that relate to employing apprentices and how our support will continue to ensure apprentices gain the education required during their apprenticeship.

We’re putting processes in place to ensure apprentices will be able to continue their education wherever possible. This will include sending learning materials and resources on a weekly basis and having remote access to assessors, tutors and mental health support.

Information for apprentices 

Apprenticeship work will continue to be carried out.

Our assessors/tutors will call in advance to find out if they can attend your place of work. If this isn’t possible, they will deliver apprenticeship training via alternative means, including web calls and email. 

Apprentices will be able to get in touch with their assessors/tutors through phone or email if you have any questions. 

Are apprentices entitled to statutory sick pay (SSP)?

Subject to meeting the eligibility criteria for SSP – apprentices are entitled to statutory sick pay in the same way as any other employees. Emergency legislation is being brought forward for employees who are self-isolating because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

They will be able to get SSP from the first day they are off work. This began from Friday 13th March.

Details regarding the eligibility and payment of SSP can be found at https://www.gov.uk/employers-sick-pay

Notifying PM Training of any change in circumstances

You need to notify PM Training if any circumstances change, for example:

1. Any changes to working arrangements as above
2. The date from which any learner is self isolating
3. The date from which any learner is off sick
4. If the apprentice is unable to continue with their apprenticeship for any other reason

In the first instance, you should contact your dedicated Assessor/Tutor directly.  If, however, they are unable to do so, please contact either:

Nina Walker (nwalker@[email protected])
Anne Jones ([email protected])
Jenny Scrivens ([email protected])

The Government has issued guidelines to state that if an apprentice is absent from their apprenticeship for more than four weeks, then they must be placed on a break in learning. 

Therefore, you will need to notify us if this is the case so that we can support our partner employers and apprentices fully. Further guidance from the Government is expected shortly and we will notify employer and learners of any changes that this might bring.

What support is available for businesses during this time?

The Chancellor has set out a package of temporary measures to support businesses through this period of disruption.

Full details can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses

Additional information can be found below from the CBI advising on the support available.

https://www.cbi.org.uk/articles/what-support-are-businesses-receiving-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/

Further updates 

Updates on PM Training services, including the status of our re-opening, will be shared on our website and social media channels – Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Instagram.  

For more information, please use the link below to view our dedicated webpage on the Coronavirus.

We will still be available to employers to answer any questions you may have and to support wherever possibles. Our colleagues are working remotely and will be available via email so please don't hesitate to contact them.

Thank you for your continued support, over the coming days we'll provide more information as it is released from the Government on the impact of Coronavirus on apprenticeships and businesses.

Dan Canavan, Operation Director.