IMI Awards News

Changes to Apprenticeship Framework Certification Fees/Claims (England)

The following information has been provided by the Sector Skills Council (IMI) in relation to apprentice framework certification fees and claims, it does not affect IMI Awards qualifications certification fees and claims.

The Apprenticeship, Schools and Children Act 2009 (ASCL Act) was enacted on the 6th April 2011. Part of this Act and the requirements of it, laid down by Parliament, affect the way Apprenticeships are certificated in England.

The IMI Sector Skills Council have just received notification from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) that under the ASCL Act from, and including, April 13th 2011 SSCs can charge a maximum of £25 per Apprenticeship completion certificate. Therefore, from this date the IMI will be reducing their Apprenticeship certification fees from £30 to £25 per certificate.

However, there are other changes to the certification process that will affect the way training providers claim for certificates. At this time details are patchy and incomplete and the IMI/SSC await further instructions and guidance from BIS.

In order to ensure the IMI SSC comply with the legislation, it has been agreed that they will not issue any apprentice framework certificates after close of business today, Tuesday 12th April 2011, until further notice. The changes that the SSC expect to have to make are with regard to certificate design and certificate claim forms - the requirements for which are laid down in the ASCL Act and its requirements and guidance to be issued by BIS.

The SSC expect that apprentice framework certificate issuing could re-commence by the end of April, subject to new certificates being supplied to SSCs in time.

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please direct your enquiry to the IMI / SSC Head of Skills Development on 01992 511 521.

As stated above, this only applies to apprenticeship framework certification claims in England only and does not affect any IMI Awards qualification claims or fees.