SOUTH Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGS) is urging the Government to do more to support apprentices and their employers following the outbreak of Covid-19.

SGS principal Sarah-Jane Watkins wrote to MPs asking for their help after she felt new Government guidance didn’t offer an adequate level of support.

One of the main issues was that under existing guidelines, apprentices need to be in employment to be funded in their learning and training. And if they are out of work for four weeks there is a ‘pause’ in their funding.

But during lockdown, almost all have had to stop attending work, as they adhere to government directions on distancing and isolation.

In its initial outline of support for apprentices during the pandemic, the Government did not suggest the relaxation of these rules, which would have meant a pause in funding for both the apprentices and the college.

However, this week, following Ms Watkins appeal to MPs, it has been confirmed by the Government that apprentices can remain in training and funding if furloughed, provided their employer makes up their wage to at least the apprenticeship minimum wage.

“This common sense relaxation was one of our key asks in SGS’s letter to MPs,” said Mr McLeod.

“It will go a long way to safeguarding many apprenticeships. It means we can keep apprentices engaged and deliver more of the off-the-job learning ahead of profile. It also means we can retain the apprentices in funding, which will go some way to addressing the college apprenticeship income concerns.

“A number of issues remain. Not least, the ability of employers, particularly micro, to sustain the cash flow to pay apprentices, and other employees, until the HMRC furlough arrangements kick in, and we still fear a number of apprentices may be laid off.”

A further concern is that apprentices have not been offered assessment-based final grades, rather than final exams, something which has been offered to other students. SGC is keeping up the pressure on MPs to address these issues.