Soon, applications for Welsh Apprenticeship certificates will be made to a central point instead of to one of 25 certification bodies.
The Federation for Industry Sector Skills and Standards is the certifying authority for Apprenticeships in Wales and hosts Apprenticeship Certification Wales, acwcerts.co.uk, to whom applications for certificates and payments will be made with effect from Tuesday 25th February. The assessment of applications will continue to be carried out within ten days by the certification bodies.
This change will generate greater consistency in terms of how applications and payments are received, providing a ‘one-stop-shop’ for individual applicants, employers, training providers and colleges.
Payment will remain the same (£22 per certificate) and will be made with the application. There will be two options for paying through the Central Payment System, either:
1. Pre-pay by credit/debit card or BACS transfer – this option will allow you to bulk buy credits for certificates that will be added to a balance on the ACW system, and deducted when candidates are submitted.
2. One off payment (pay as you go) – This option will allow you to use a credit/debit card to pay for the certificate when you submit the Apprenticeship certification claim for approval.
Only one person within the training organisation will be authorised to purchase credits for Apprenticeship certification and will be assigned to the Finance User role. This person should have the authority to make purchases by credit/debit card or by BACS transfer. Before your organisation can submit any learners for certification through the Central Payment System your Finance User will need to complete a registration form.
We hope to have the registration form available next week for you to begin registering on the new ACW Central Payment System. We advise that you register as soon as possible to minimise any disruption when the Central Payment System is implemented. Guidance documents will be available soon to help you with the cross-over to the new payment system.
We will be sending you regular emails and system notifications to keep you up to date with registration, guidance and any other information you will need to use the new ACW Central Payment System.
If you have any queries please email the ACW Central Payment System team on acwcps@fisss.org or call 0844 326 7565.