November Newsletter

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Hello and Welcome, 

In this newsletter, we will be updating you on the following:

  • General Update
  • Our Qualification of the Month
  • Qualification Development
  • Our Qualification Survey
  • Zach’s Conference Experience
  • Our Current Vacancies
  • Upcoming Webinars
  • Creatio File Uploads
  • IfATE certificate claiming process
  • Incentive payments for hiring a new apprentice
  • Our Christmas Shutdown
  • Our Bid & Proposal Coordinator Standard

General Update

Remember, remember the 5th of November! Although our post Halloween sugar rush is now beginning to diminish, friday is upon us and the bonfires await! You may not see actual fireworks in this months issue of our newsletter, but we do cover some amazing topics that will make you feel like a kid holding a sparkler for the first time all over again!

This month’s newsletter will focus on a range of essential industry updates, beginning with our regular feature of qualification of the month and highlighting qualification development opportunities, as well our desire to gather your opinions qualification development with our short survey. Our Marketing and Sales Coordinator Zach shares his experience of ‘The Apprenticeship Conference’ we sponsored in October. We cover more Creatio support information, as well as upcoming webinars on platform support and centre monitoring arrangements. Everything you need to start your November off right! 

Qualification of the Month

Last month we focused on the OAL Level 3 Diploma in Food Technology. This month we will be looking at the OAL Level 3 Diploma in Supply Chain Practice.

This qualification is designed to develop and confirm a graded level of performance for Supply Chain Practitioners, so they have the necessary skills, knowledge, understanding and behaviors to work effectively in supply chain operations in a fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) environment.

On achievement of the qualification learners will have developed the level of competence which will enable them to perform consistently, reliably and productively in their work role, and make a positive contribution to their employment. OAL has a fantastic reputation for the Retail qualifications that we offer.

For more information on our Retail qualifications click on the links above or apply for qualification approval through OAL Online. 

Qualification Development

Do you have a course or an idea that you would like to see turned into a regulated qualification and seen on the Ofqual qualifications register? Our product team can support in the development of qualifications and associated materials to turn your idea into an OAL Award, Certificate or Diploma. 

The first step is to register your interest and give a brief outline of your qualification suggestion by using this form.

Once the form is received, you will be contacted by our Product Development team who will arrange an online meeting with you to go through your requirements in more detail. 

Our Qualification Survey

We want to get your opinion on the qualifications we offer to ensure we are providing all the qualifications you want! We aim to build upon our existing partnership and collaborate with you to develop any new qualifications you would like to offer to your learners, by discussing your business needs to support your programme delivery.

For us to do this effectively, we would appreciate a short amount of your time in completing our short survey. It will only take 5 minutes, and your views and ideas will contribute to OALs qualification strategy and influence the qualifications we will introduce to our expanding portfolio. 

 

Zach’s Conference experience 

Last Month Zach attended ‘The Apprenticeship Conference 2021’ hosted by Apprenticeship and EPAO Directories at Millennium Point, Birmingham, along with colleagues Lee and Phil. OAL was the proud brochure sponsor of the event, and hosted an exhibition stand showcasing our newly developed info-packs!

Zach one our newest members of the team at OAL writes about his experience here. Have a read to learn about all the informative talks Zach attended as well as our competition for chocolates and champagne!

Our Current Vacancies

We have another fantastic new opportunity to become part of our growing team here at OAL. To go with our current vacancy for a Product & Curriculum Developer we now have a End-Point Assessment Operations Officer position available too!

Offering a competitive salary and outstanding benefits, visit our vacancies to learn more about how you can apply.
 
Our Upcoming Webinars
If you offer OAL qualifications, there are 2 webinars in November to keep you up to date with Centre Monitoring arrangements and some changes that have been introduced by Ofqual which may affect the frequency of your support visits by an EQA, and could impact on how you claim your learner qualification certificates. 
 
You can find out more by joining one of our short webinars run by the Quality Team.  They will be no longer than 30 minutes, and there are 2 dates available:
  • 10am on Wednesday 10th November
  • 3.30pm on Tuesday 16th November
Please email our head of quality Sue Knott to join one of our webinars

Our Customer Service and Data Manager Deborah Briggs will also be running two webinars next week.
  • Online Platform end to end EPA Training – 10am and 3pm on Tuesday 9th
  • Online Platform end to end Qualifications Training – 10am and 3pm on Thursday 11th
Please email Deborah to arrange a booking.
 
File Upload Process for Creatio
There is now a drag and drop facility in the Learner Details section of the booking form for uploading the Gateway evidence. You will need to enter your note first then drag and drop the document in. Or you can still use the browse function by clicking on Choose a file
 
IfATE Certificate Claiming Process
To allow us to claim the apprenticeship certificates on your behalf we need to have the correct name and ULN of the apprentice to enter this into the IFATE claim system.  Apprentices must also be in ‘Completion’ stage.
 
Recently the check box allowing EPAOs to create a privately funded certificate request has been removed and we now use the same process for all apprenticeship certificate claims of entering the Apprentice name and ULN.  To ensure that IFATE can find a Private Learner, you will need to, as the Training provider, submit a Funding Model 99 within the ILR for the Private Learner to be found within the search IFATE carries out.
 
Please ensure that the ILR is correct when submitting your apprentices for EPA to ensure that the certificates reach the apprentice as soon as possible after they have achieved their apprenticeship.  If you have any queries please email customerservice@oawards.co.uk
 
For more information about the claiming process please read our guide.
 
Incentive payments for hiring a new apprentice

You still have time to apply for a payment of £3,000 for apprentices with an employment start date from 1 April 2021 to 30 September 2021. Applications close on 30 November 2021.