Youth Social Action Programme Phase Three - Apprentice Programme FAQs

FAQs

Please see below the frequently asked questions for the apprentice programme application:

Can we have an extension on the submission deadline?

No. Extensions will not be awarded due to the tight time frame that the project is working to as well as ensuring fairness is given to all applicants. The deadline for all applications is midday on Tuesday 20 May 2025

Can I send a hard copy of my application or email it in pdf format?

No, applications are only accepted in a word document format and emailed to the projects team – projects@aoc.co.uk Applications received in any other formats will not be accepted or marked.

When will I find out if our application has been successful?

If further information is required before a decision is made you may be contacted week beginning 19 May 2025. All applicants, both successful and unsuccessful, will be contacted by Friday 23 May 2025.

Who do I contact for further information?

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to email the project team before midday Monday 19 May 2025 – projects@aoc.co.uk. Any questions asked will be published on the website anonymously, for all applicants to view.

Can our college apply without a partner college?

No. If you are interested but don’t have an identified local college to partner with please contact your AoC Area Director for assistance.

Our college isn't in the region where applications are being accepted, can we still apply?

No, only applications from the Yorkshire and Humber region can apply. This is due to piloting a new regional model to evidence the scalability of the programme.

Can the Apprentice complete a different apprenticeship course?

No. The recruited apprentice must complete a level 3 Youth Social Worker apprenticeship course and the job title given must be Youth Social Action Apprentice.

Does the application need to be signed off by a senior manager from all colleges involved?

Yes. We would like to see a senior manager commitment to the project and working with other local partner colleges. The host college will also need sign off from their Human Resources (HR) and apprenticeship department.

In the guidance it says that the partner must cluster with one other college, is this Further Education (FE) colleges or are Sixth Form Colleges also counted?

Sixth form colleges are counted as part of the partnership but should be AoC members.

What is the process for monitoring and evaluating this project?

There will be a monthly call with line managers and the AoC project Manager. The apprentice will work with the host line manager and partner college line manage to measure the project outcomes against their delivery plan, which will be written together and approved by AoC. The line manager will report twice a year on numbers reached – for example direct student involvement, indirect student involvement, community involvement, partners they have worked with - and outline what has been achieved against their delivery plan. There will also be an end of the academic year report (two to be completed) which will include a project summary, what’s been achieved, lessons learned and a full financial summary.

Are there targets associated with the role?

The line manager and mentors will work with the apprentice to write a proposal including a delivery plan which will be approved by AoC and this will outline the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the project. This process will be repeated for year two of the project.

Does the line manager engage with the apprenticeship provider much about the progress of the apprenticeship to support development?

Yes, it will be integral to the role for the line manager to work with the apprenticeship provider.

Is the purpose of the role to solely engage 16–19-year-old students in social action or can there be a wider age range?​

The purpose would be to work with the (including the partner college) students to include them in any social action projects, regardless of their age.

If two colleges are part of a College Group can the two colleges count as partners?

Yes.

I was wondering if you could give me any information on how to form a partnership with a local college. I am not sure if we already have one or not.

We are looking for the host college to work with one other college to share one apprentice, as well as best practice from the work. We wouldn’t be able to say if you are already in local partnerships with nearby colleges or not, but I suggest speaking with a member of your Senior Leadership Team (SLT) as they will have worked with local colleges in the past and already have links. As the apprentice is to work across the colleges, take into consideration travel distances and logistics. Once you have a steer from the SLT you will be able to contact the relevant member of staff and see if they would be interested, you might even find that they are already looking at the opportunity.

Equally please contact your AoC Area Director for assistance.

In the guidance it mentions that partner colleges will receive an "annual fee of £2,000 (for two years)". Can you confirm that this will be £2,000 per year so £4,000 across the apprenticeship period?

The partner colleges will receive £2,000 per year so it will be £4,000 across the apprentice period.

Does the apprenticeship provider provide the assessors for the apprenticeship or will any of the colleges need to source assessor provision?

Yes, the apprenticeship provider will provide the assessors.

In the guidance it states " the host college will receive a grant to cover the apprentice wage, oncosts and travel costs." Is that on top of the £,5000 given to the host college for line management costs? Do you know how much that grant would be?

The grant can cover the cost of the apprentices wage of up to £26,000 per year (over two years - £52,000) including travel and oncosts (overhead expenses). It’s up to the colleges to decide how much the apprentice salary is per year, all that we ask is that at a minimum it meets the Government apprentices pay and conditions standards. We have found from experience from phase one and two of the projects that a wage of £20k+ attracts the correct level of candidate for the role. The apprentice wage should be included in the application form.

The host college will receive a further £5,000 per year (two years - £10,000) to cover line management costs to ensure the apprentice is well supported throughout the apprenticeship and across all four colleges.

Each of the partner cluster colleges will receive an annual fee of £2,000 (two years - £4,000) to mentor and oversee the apprentice at their college.

Who is the mentor the apprentices will be working with?

The mentor is Youth Social Action Apprentices from phase two of the programme who have completed their apprenticeship and delivered successful social action projects in their colleges for two years. They will use their knowledge and experience to coach and mentor the new apprentices.

Can my college apply if we have had an apprentice previously?

Yes, however, we would like evidence of how the previous apprentice round has supported the sustainability of youth social action in your college and how the additional funding for another apprentice will further enhance your youth social action offer.

My college isn't in Yorkshire and Humber, can I still apply?

Unfortunately, this opportunity is only for member colleges in the Yorkshire and Humber region. This is due to piloting a new model on a smaller scale to support the scalability of the programme in the future. However, there will be opportunities to get involved in best practice webinars that will be open to all colleges across the sector.