Unionlearn has produced an updated briefing for reps on supporting apprentices during the coronavirus outbreak. The guidance from the Department for Education (DfE) evolves practically daily and unionlearn aims to tackle the points pertinent to union reps.

The most important message of the reps’ briefing paper is to ensure that apprentices have an opportunity to continue and complete their apprenticeships. Employers and training providers have a role to play as well as unions in keeping apprenticeships high quality and delivering appropriate training opportunities.

Since apprentices are employees like other staff in the workplace the same policies and arrangements apply as to other staff with an added consideration of arrangements for training and assessments.

The briefing includes:

• Potential breaks in apprenticeships and off-the-job training
• End-point assessments
• English and maths learning support
• Employment issues such as furlough

The briefing also includes a series of action points to help union reps work through and help them find the best way to support apprentices. There are also links to more information and guidance from the TUC and ACAS.

Supporting apprenticeships during coronavirus pandemic – briefing for union reps can be downloaded from the unionlearn website.