Part 4The Chief Executive of Skills Funding

Chapter 1Establishment and main duties

The Chief Executive

I181The Chief Executive of Skills Funding

1

There is to be a Chief Executive of Skills Funding.

2

In this Part that person is referred to as “the Chief Executive”.

3

The Chief Executive is to be appointed by the Secretary of State.

4

Except as provided for in section 107, 108 or 109, the Chief Executive is to perform the functions of the office in relation to England only.

5

Schedule 4 makes further provision about the Chief Executive.

Apprenticeship functions

I282Apprenticeship functions

1

The Secretary of State may direct the Chief Executive to arrange for apprenticeship functions specified in the direction to be carried out on behalf of the Chief Executive by a person designated by the Chief Executive.

2

The Secretary of State may give directions to the Chief Executive—

a

as to the performance of apprenticeship functions;

b

as to the description or identity of the person to be designated under subsection (1);

c

as to the terms of arrangements under that subsection;

d

requiring the Chief Executive to secure that the person designated under subsection (1) reports to the Secretary of State, in such form and at such times as may be specified in the direction, on the performance of apprenticeship functions which are the subject of arrangements under subsection (1).

3

A designation of a person under subsection (1) may be made only with the person's consent.

4

Arrangements made by virtue of subsection (1) may be made on terms that permit sub-delegation; and the power conferred by subsection (2)(c) includes power to give directions as to—

a

the arrangements for any such sub-delegation;

b

functions which may be sub-delegated;

c

the description or identity of persons to whom functions may be sub-delegated.

5

In this section, “apprenticeship functions” means functions of the office which relate to—

a

apprenticeship certificates;

b

recognised English frameworks and the specification of apprenticeship standards for England;

c

apprenticeship training;

d

apprenticeship places (within the meaning of section 93), including functions under section 104 relating to apprenticeship places;

e

the provision of advice and assistance to the Secretary of State under section 106.

6

Terms used in subsection (5)(a) and (b) have the same meanings as in Chapter 1 of Part 1.

7

Regulations may provide—

a

for any provision relating to a function of the office made by or under any Act—

i

not to apply, or

ii

to apply subject to prescribed modifications,

in relation to the function where the function is the subject of arrangements under subsection (1);

b

for references to the Chief Executive in any such provisions to be construed in prescribed circumstances as, or as including, references—

i

to a person designated under subsection (1), or

ii

to a person to whom functions are sub-delegated under subsection (4),

subject to such exceptions or modifications as may be prescribed.

Apprenticeship training for persons aged 16 to 18 and certain young adults

I383Apprenticeship training for persons aged 16 to 18 and certain young adults

1

The Chief Executive may secure the provision of facilities for suitable apprenticeship training for persons—

a

who are over compulsory school age but under 19, or

b

who are aged 19 or over but under 25 and are subject to learning difficulty assessment.

2

In deciding for the purposes of subsection (1) whether apprenticeship training is suitable for persons for whom facilities are provided, the Chief Executive must have regard (in particular) to—

a

the persons' ages, abilities and aptitudes,

b

any learning difficulties the persons may have,

c

the quality of the training,

d

the locations and times at which the training is provided.

3

In exercising the power conferred by subsection (1), the Chief Executive must have regard (in particular) to the desirability of—

a

encouraging diversity of apprenticeship training available to persons;

b

increasing opportunities for persons to exercise choice;

c

enabling persons to whom Part 1 of the Education and Skills Act 2008 (c. 25) applies to fulfil the duty imposed by section 2 of that Act (duty to participate in education or training).

4

Subsections (6) and (7) of section 15ZA of the Education Act 1996 (c. 56) (meaning of learning difficulty) apply for the purposes of this section as they apply for the purposes of that section.

5

In this Part “apprenticeship training” means training provided in connection with—

a

an apprenticeship agreement,

b

any other contract of employment, or

c

any other kind of working in relation to which alternative English completion conditions apply under section 1(5).

I484Arrangements and co-operation with F2local authorities

1

The Chief Executive may enter into arrangements with F2local authorities in England under which the Chief Executive is to secure the provision of apprenticeship training by virtue of section 83.

2

The Chief Executive must co-operate with a F1local authority in England where the authority is—

a

making any determination as to the provision of apprenticeship training that should be secured under section 15ZA(1) of the Education Act 1996 (duty in respect of education and training for persons over compulsory school age: England), or

b

securing the provision of any apprenticeship training under that section.

I585Encouragement of training provision etc for persons within section 83

1

The Chief Executive must—

a

encourage employers to participate in the provision of training within the Chief Executive's remit for persons who are within section 83(1)(a) or (b);

b

encourage employers to contribute to the costs of training within the Chief Executive's remit for such persons.

2

For the purposes of subsection (1)(a), participating in the provision of training includes participating by entering into—

a

an apprenticeship agreement, or

b

any other contract of employment in connection with which training is provided.

Education and training for persons aged 19 or over etc.

I686Education and training for persons aged 19 or over and others subject to adult detention

1

The Chief Executive must secure the provision of reasonable facilities for—

a

education suitable to the requirements of persons who are aged 19 or over, other than persons aged under 25 who are subject to learning difficulty assessment,

b

education suitable to the requirements of persons who are subject to adult detention, and

c

training suitable to the requirements of persons within paragraphs (a) and (b).

2

This section does not apply to the provision of facilities to the extent that section 87 applies to the provision of those facilities.

3

Facilities are reasonable if (taking account of the Chief Executive's resources) their quantity and quality are such that the Chief Executive can reasonably be expected to secure their provision.

4

In discharging the duty under subsection (1) the Chief Executive must—

a

take account of the places where facilities are provided, the character of facilities and the way they are equipped;

b

take account of the different abilities and aptitudes of different persons;

c

take account of the education and skills required in different sectors of employment for employees and potential employees;

d

take account of facilities the provision of which the Chief Executive thinks might reasonably be secured by other persons;

e

act with a view to encouraging diversity of education and training available to individuals;

f

act with a view to increasing opportunities for individuals to exercise choice;

g

have regard to the desirability of enabling persons subject to adult detention to continue programmes of education or training which they have begun;

h

have regard to the desirability of the core entitlement F3... being satisfied for persons subject to adult detention but aged under 19 F3...;

i

make the best use of resources.

5

For the purposes of this section a reference to the provision of facilities for education or training (except so far as relating to facilities for persons subject to adult detention) includes a reference to the provision of facilities for organised leisure-time occupation in connection with education or (as the case may be) training.

6

For the purposes of this section—

  • “education” includes full-time and part-time education;

  • “training” includes—

    1. a

      full-time and part-time training;

    2. b

      vocational, social, physical and recreational training;

    3. c

      apprenticeship training.

7

In this Part, “organised leisure-time occupation” means leisure-time occupation, in such organised cultural training and recreational activities as are suited to the requirements of persons who fall within subsection (1)(a) or (b), for any such persons who are able and willing to profit by facilities provided for that purpose.

F48

Section 17C of the Education Act 1996 (the core entitlement) applies for the purposes of subsection (4)(h).

I787Learning aims for persons aged 19 or over: provision of facilities

1

The Chief Executive must secure the provision of proper facilities for relevant education or training for persons falling within subsection (3) which is suitable to their requirements.

2

Relevant education or training is education or vocational training provided by means of a course of study for a qualification to which paragraph 1 of Schedule 5 applies.

3

The persons falling within this subsection are persons who—

a

are aged 19 or over, and are not persons aged under 25 who are subject to learning difficulty assessment,

b

do not have the qualification in question or one (including one awarded by a person outside England) which appears to the Chief Executive to be at a comparable or higher level, and

c

satisfy such conditions as may be specified in regulations.

4

Facilities are proper if they are—

a

of a quantity sufficient to meet the reasonable needs of individuals, and

b

of a quality adequate to meet those needs.

5

In discharging the duty under subsection (1) the Chief Executive must—

a

take account of the places where facilities are provided, the character of facilities and the way they are equipped;

b

take account of the different abilities and aptitudes of different persons;

c

take account of the education and training required in different sectors of employment for employees and potential employees;

d

act with a view to encouraging diversity of education and training available to individuals;

e

act with a view to increasing opportunities for individuals to exercise choice;

f

make the best use of the Chief Executive's resources.

6

For the purposes of this section—

  • “education” includes full-time and part-time education;

  • “training” includes full-time and part-time training.

I888Learning aims for persons aged 19 or over: payment of tuition fees

1

Functions under this Part must be exercised by the Chief Executive so as to secure that a course of study for a qualification to which F5paragraph 1(a) or (b) of Schedule 5 applies is free to a person falling within subsection (2) if it is provided for the person by virtue of facilities whose provision is secured under section 87.

2

A person falls within this subsection if, at the time of starting the course in question, the person—

a

is aged 19 or over,

b

does not have the qualification in question or one (including one awarded by a person outside England) which appears to the Chief Executive to be at a comparable or higher level, and

c

satisfies such conditions as may be specified in regulations.

F62A

Functions under this Part must be exercised by the Chief Executive so as to secure that a course of study for a qualification to which paragraph 1(c) of Schedule 5 applies is free to a person falling within subsection (4) if it is provided for the person by virtue of facilities whose provision is secured under section 87.

3

Functions under this Part must be exercised by the Chief Executive so as to secure that a course of study for a qualification to which paragraph 2 of Schedule 5 applies is free to a person falling within subsection (4) if it is provided for the person by virtue of facilities whose provision is secured under section 86.

4

A person falls within this subsection if, at the time of starting the course in question, the person—

a

is aged at least 19 but less than F724 ,

b

does not have the qualification in question or one (including one awarded by a person outside England) which appears to the Chief Executive to be at a comparable or higher level, and

c

satisfies such conditions as may be specified in regulations.

5

The Secretary of State may by order—

a

amend subsection (2)(a) by substituting a different age for the age for the time being referred to;

b

amend subsection (4)(a) by substituting a different age for either of the ages for the time being referred to.

6

For the purposes of this section, a course is free to a person if no tuition fees in respect of the provision of the course for the person are payable by a person other than—

a

the Chief Executive, or

b

a body specified by order by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section.

7

In subsection (6) “tuition fees”, in relation to a course, means—

a

the fees charged in respect of the course by the person providing it, and

b

such fees in respect of other matters relating to the course (such as undergoing a preliminary assessment or sitting an examination) as may be specified in regulations.

I989Sections 87 and 88: supplementary

1

Regulations may make provision as to circumstances in which—

a

despite having a specified qualification, a person is to be treated for the purposes of section 87 or 88 as not having that qualification;

b

despite not having a specified qualification, a person is to be treated for any of those purposes as having that qualification.

2

A condition specified in regulations under section 87 or 88 may, in particular, relate to—

a

the possession, or lack, of a specified qualification;

b

the completion of, or failure to complete, a course for a specified qualification.

3

A reference in subsection (1) or (2) to a specified qualification is to a qualification specified, or of a description specified, in the regulations.

4

Regulations under this section, or under section 87 or 88, may confer a function (which may relate to the administration of an assessment and may include the exercise of a discretion) on a person specified, or of a description specified, in the regulations.

5

Nothing in section 87 or 88 applies to the provision of facilities, or to courses of study, for persons subject to adult detention.

6

Part 2 of Schedule 5 makes further provision for the purposes of sections 87 and 88.

I1090Encouragement of education and training for persons aged 19 or over and others subject to adult detention

1

The Chief Executive must—

a

encourage participation by persons within section 86(1)(a) and (b) in education and training within the Chief Executive's remit;

b

encourage employers to participate in the provision of education and training within the Chief Executive's remit for persons within section 86(1)(a);

c

encourage employers to contribute to the costs of education and training within the Chief Executive's remit for such persons.

2

For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), participating in the provision of training includes participating by entering into—

a

an apprenticeship agreement, or

b

any other contract of employment in connection with which training is provided.

The apprenticeship offer

F891Duty to secure availability of apprenticeship places

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F892Election for apprenticeship offer

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F893Meaning of “apprenticeship place”

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F894Suitability and availability of apprenticeship places: further provision

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F895Apprenticeship offer requirements

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F896Apprenticeship offer requirements: interpretation

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F897Suspension of offer

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F898Power to amend apprenticeship offer

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F899Apprenticeship offer: interpretation

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