Frequently Asked Questions
What costs do I need to consider?
Joining EdgeWorks™ Funding Alliance is free of charge. However, all partners will require access to their own branded and supported Care Academy account and a nominal (monthly) charge is applicable depending on the combination of training and qualifications required. This cost can usually be off-set be claiming available WDF funding.
Are there any costs involved for just accessing qualifications?
Apart from having access to your own branded Care Academy account (see above), The ‘Qualifications only’ package is completely free of charge and is best for ad hoc users.
How much does the full-service training, qualifications and compliance package cost?
This package is created as a bespoke solution, subject to individual client requirements. Access to qualifications is funded by our college partners with the cost of induction, refresher and specialist courses based on volumes and system features (branding, tracking, compliance etc) is charged on a monthly basis. As already stated, the monthly fee is usually recouped via WDF funding and so often results in a net-zero cost.
Any other costs I should be aware of?
Given that access to funding is via ‘public’ money all employers and learners have a duty of care to ensure funds are allocated and managed with due diligence. Therefore, employers will be expected to agree to a nominal non-completion fee designed to ensure learners adhere to their agreed learning plan and complete their qualification in a timely manner.
How many staff can I enrol?
There is no upper limit on the number of candidates an employer can enrol (subject to the funding being available).
Are there any restrictions on the type of organisation participating?
EdgeWorks™ Funding Alliance is designed to be fully scalable; we can support a small independent employer just as easily as a large, geographically-dispersed organisations. We want the Funding Alliance to be all inclusive irrespective of organisation size.
What about learner eligibility criteria?
Learner eligibility criteria does exist and is in line with national funding policy. We do however have access to different funding streams and so can accommodate the vast majority of applicants, provided they have: been UK resident for the past 3 years; have a right to work; and subject to their current academic achievements. Given that funding eligibility can often be somewhat complex, our team will evaluate each potential candidate and offer advice and guidance on the most appropriate route.
Does the funding currently cover all of England?
We currently have approximately 60% coverage due to the rules and regulations surrounding both devolved and non-devolved areas – we are working towards achieving 80% by the year end. Please note that even if we don’t currently cover your specific region, we are adept at securing contracts based on our Funding Alliance partners’ demand and so can often target and secure access to additional funds once we understand your requirements.
Will I be able to view my learners progress?
All Funding Alliance partners will be provided with access to our learning platform, Care Academy, where full learner tracking and reporting is available.
What if I already use another training and qualifications system?
Our offer is not a ‘take it or leave it’ decision. Many of our existing clients already use multiple HR and learning platforms, deliver classroom-based learning and have ongoing relationships with other training providers. We have the experience to create solutions that allow you to access and integrate our services, training and funding without compromising your existing delivery programme.
What about other training and qualifications?
We are constantly looking at adding additional training and qualifications to our portfolio and are always happy to discuss your requirements with a view to building a portfolio that meets your exact requirements.
