Training providers, colleges and employers will all have to reapply for a place on the register of apprenticeship training providers (RoATP) as part of a government bid to clamp down on poor provision.

The register was set up in March 2017 ahead of the introduction of the apprenticeship levy. There are currently more than 2,500 providers on the government’s approved list, all of whom will have to reapply if they want to continue training apprentices. 

As part of efforts to increase the quality of apprenticeship training, providers and employers will now be forced to prove that they have actively traded for 12 months, are financially stable and are able to provide apprenticeship training, before they apply, rather than when they begin delivery.

A three-month trading history requirement for supporting providers has been retained to enable new providers to build up a delivery track record.

Register will not close for applications

The register will open for applications on 12 December and will remain open throughout the year, with no closing date. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) says it has made this decision after listening to feedback from training providers.

Echoing comments made by the ESFA director Keith Smith at the Association of Employment and Learning Providers’ autumn conference last month, the funding agency said will soon consult on limiting the amount providers can earn. This, the ESFA said, will “ensure control, not just for quality reasons but the potential size and expansion of providers”.

ESFA chief executive Eileen Milner said: “Our new RoATP application process ensures that only those that can stand up to our tough quality assurance entry requirements can access government funds to deliver apprenticeship training. We are also being tougher on subcontractors entering the market, to ensure a focus on quality training and mitigate risk to government funds.”

Skills and apprenticeship minister Anne Milton said: “It is vital that the training apprentices are receiving continues to be of the highest quality. Our new tougher approach builds on the robust checks already in place to provide even greater assurance that public money for apprenticeships is being used effectively.”