Subcontracting

ARU subcontracts apprenticeship provision if this enables us and our employers to enhance the quality of our offer and access specialist expertise and resources that would otherwise not be available to apprentices.

Our subcontracting falls under two categories:

• supporting the delivery of our qualifications where the subcontractor offers specialist input and expertise
• delivery of additional qualifications required as part of the apprenticeship and which ARU does not deliver, including Level 2 English and Maths and established sector-specific qualifications.

Our procurement policy offers a framework to ensure that our subcontractors offer value for money. The quality of delivery is monitored in line with our subcontracting and outlined in our contract with the subcontractor.

Before engagement, all our subcontractors go through a selection and approval process which ensures that:

• our engagement is compliant with procurement law and ARU’s procurement processes
• they have an appropriate capacity and track record in providing high quality teaching and learning. This includes meeting relevant quality assurance requirements and outcomes of inspection such as Ofsted where relevant
• they pass our due diligence process. This includes ensuring their sound legal and financial status, that their funding sources are stable, they are not an extremist organisation and all required policies, including Prevent and Safeguarding, are in place
• the proposed delivery fits with the requirements of the standard and of the apprenticeship funding rules, including that it will enable us, our employers and apprentices to access specialist expertise and resources that would otherwise be unavailable
• the proposed delivery is in line with ARU’s strategies, academic regulations, codes of practice and business requirements.

Before engagement, a contract management plan is agreed with the subcontracted provider. This defines how ARU will manage the contract to ensure quality provision and value for the apprentice and employer.

All subcontracted delivery is subject to ARU’s quality controls as laid out in our Academic Regulations, Codes of Practice and other policies as well as annual financial checks. This includes observation of delivery, feedback from apprentices and monitoring the quality of assessed work. All assessment on ARU apprenticeships is moderated to ensure that the expected standards are met.

Subcontracted delivery is subject to an annual subcontracting standard assurance review, as required by the DfE funding rules and Subcontracting Standard, and performed by an external auditor.

We ensure that employers are aware of, and agree to, any subcontracting arrangements before they commit to an apprenticeship programme with us.

ARU will provide a range of services when subcontracting to ensure high quality provision. These are defined in the contract management plan, and include:

• a contract manager, who is responsible for managing the contract and ARU’s relationship with the subcontracted provider
• support activities to support the quality of the subcontracted delivery and ensure a cohesive experience for employer and apprentice
• management and monitoring of the quality of on-programme delivery and assessment, following the processes set out in ARU’s Academic Regulations and Senate Code of Practice for Collaborative Provision. This includes ensuring the subcontractor’s full involvement with ARU’s Annual Monitoring Reporting process, Module Evaluation processes and moderation of on-programme assessment
• oversight of ARU’s Apprenticeships Subcommittee, to monitor the performance of the contact, quality of delivery and to ensure that the subcontracted delivery continues to meet the requirements of the apprenticeship standard and employer’s needs.

The overall contract value with each employer will be broken down into:

• funding retained by ARU for direct delivery of training and on-programme assessment – proportionate to the volume and level of teaching provided
• funding payable to subcontractor for their delivery. The amount of funding payable to the subcontractor will be proportionate to the agreed volume of teaching and assessment undertaken, their sector expertise and other resources they contribute to the delivery of the programme.

The amount of delivery and associated charges are identified as part of the procurement process, taking into account the regulatory requirements, the apprenticeship standard and the needs of employers and apprentices.

Funding retained by ARU for managing and monitoring delivery subcontractors, support activities offered to subcontractors and funding retained for quality assurance. The actual costs are determined on a case by case basis based on the requirements of the subcontracted apprenticeship programme – this is not expected to exceed 20% of the sub-contract value.

In addition, ARU’s written agreement with each employer outlines these costs, the services associated with them and each provider’s role within the delivery of the apprenticeship.

Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship
As lead provider, ARU works with our Police Force partners to deliver our PCDA programme. ARU retains £342 per learner for the management of the programme.

Construction Quantity Surveyor Degree Apprenticeship and Construction Site Management Degree Apprenticeship
As lead provider, ARU works with Citrus to deliver our Construction Quantity Surveyor Degree Apprenticeship and Construction Site Management Degree Apprenticeship. ARU retains £60 per learner for the management of the programme.

Improvement Leader Degree Apprenticeship
As lead provider, ARU works with Unipart to deliver our Improvement Leader programme. ARU retains £250 per learner for the management of the programme.

Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English
As lead provider, ARU works with ACL Essex to deliver the Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English programmes to our apprentices. ARU retains £45 per learner for the management of the programme.

To ensure it continues to meet the University's needs and the requirements of the University's contract with the DfE and all relevant funding regulations, this Policy is subject to annual review by ARU’s Apprenticeship Subcommittee, which reports through to Senate in terms of academic governance, and is signed by our Vice Chancellor.

Last updated September 2025.