The Federation is the certifying authority for apprenticeships in England and hosts Apprenticeship Certificates England (ACE). ACE is a web based system that is designed to enable access to training providers, employers and apprentices to request Apprenticeship completion certificates. … Continue reading →

Getting Access to ACE

Providers (known as Centres) need to register to get access to ACE. This is done by completing an online registration request form which can be accessed via: www.acecerts.co.uk/register_supercentre Centres select all of the SSCs/SSBs (known as Certification Bodies) they … Continue reading →

Logging In

• Go to www.acecerts.co.uk • Click on the Login button • Enter your Username and Password. • Click the Login button to enter. • Please refer to the system checker to make sure … Continue reading →

How do I check my computer meets the minimum specification?

Using ACE Please check to see that the computer you are using meets the following requirements below and has the features listed on the right set as enabled. This is to ensure that your use of this application is as … Continue reading →

Is there a minimum specification for computers that you recommend to get optimum performance from the ACE System?

For optimum performance we recommend: — 3MB broadband connection (or faster) — Gigahertz (GHz) processor (or faster) — 2GB of RAM (or more) — No hard disk requirement. ACE is a web-based system that requires no software to be … Continue reading →

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02. HELPDESK (4 Topics)

Accessing the Helpdesk for the first time

The Helpdesk is fully integrated with the ACE system meaning that once you are logged-in you can access the Helpdesk with a simple click. You will find the Helpdesk tab next to the ACE Logout tab. … Continue reading →

Raising Your First Ticket

Raising Your First Ticket Once you have accessed the Helpdesk successfully you will be able to raise a ticket. To do this please click on the button displaying ‘Create your first ticket’, or you can select the ‘Tickets’ tab and choose … Continue reading →

Managing My Tickets

Once a ticket has been raised you will be able to view it, along with any other raised tickets on the overview page. You will be automatically directed to this page once a ticket has been raised, … Continue reading →

Searching Through Your Tickets

When you have raised several tickets you may find the search ability useful. The Search feature can be found by selecting ‘Search’ via the drop-down list from the ‘Tickets’ tab. You will then be … Continue reading →

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03. Administration (6 Topics)

Overview

Once logged in you will see the Certification Body dashboard. This dashboard shows you the Certification Bodies that your ACE account is linked to. In order to proceed, select the Certification Body by clicking on the appropriate box. … Continue reading →

How To Add / Edit Users

To add a new user: — Select the Users Tab and click Add User. — Enter all of the information ensuring that the contact details are correct. — Once complete, select Create Item. Note: in order … Continue reading →

How to Disable User Accounts

Within the ACE system you are able to disable ACE user accounts. This will keep the history of the user’s activity but will mean that they no longer have access to the system. Only the Centre Admin User can make … Continue reading →

How to View & Amend Organisation Details

This screen is where you can view the organisation details, such as your postal and email addresses. If there are any amendments required please update the details in the form and click the Update button. Please ensure you keep … Continue reading →

Linking Certification Bodies

To link with Certificaton Bodies you will need to go to the organisation details page and then select the linked bodies tab. Once in the linked bodies tab you will see a list of the Certification Boides. Select the … Continue reading →

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04. Apprentices (13 Topics)

How to Add A Single Apprentice

STEP 1 OF 3 There are two ways to add an apprentice – one at a time using the form or a bulk upload via a CSV file. To add a single apprentice, ensure that you are in the … Continue reading →

Bulk Upload Apprentices

The Bulk Upload facility allows you to add multiple apprentices at once, auto-filling the apprentice and employer details. There are two file types available, a CSV or Excel file. We recommend the use of the Excel file as this … Continue reading →

Searching For An Apprentice

Across all of the top level tabs you will be able to search for apprentices. In order to do this you will need to open the search facility by selecting the tab ‘show advanced search’ which will reveal the search … Continue reading →

Adding Evidence

The Certificate Evidence tab provides a list of all evidence requirements based on the framework selection under the frameworks tab. Evidence needs to be loaded separately next to each stated requirement and to do this select the browse/choose file … Continue reading →

Submit An Apprentice For Certification

Once you have uploaded all evidence, go to the Status tab and change the status to Pending Certification. This will open a validation box where you can check: — Mandatory fields have been completed. — All evidence has been … Continue reading →

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05. Bulk Upload (5 Topics)

Introduction

This guide is designed to take you through the Bulk Upload process step by step. It has been designed to be interactive and so when you see text in this format: example link, it means that there is a link … Continue reading →

How Do I Access The Bulk Upload Facility?

In order to use the Bulk Upload facility you will need to log into www.acecerts.co.uk Once logged in under the Apprentices tab you will see the option Bulk Upload . This will take you to the Bulk Upload … Continue reading →

Bulk Upload Codes

The spreadsheet requires all mandatory fields to be completed for the Apprentice and Employer details. Both of these have drop down menus for selections to be made such as ethnicity and gender. Where there is a drop down menu, a … Continue reading →

Bulk Upload Template – Excel Format

When you are on the Bulk Upload page you are able to download the Excel (XLS) empty template . You can either save the file or open the document. It will open within Excel. TIP We recommend that … Continue reading →

Bulk Upload Template – CSV Format

Please note, if you wish to use the CSV method for Bulk Upload, you will need to contact the ACE Support team for the CSV file. Once you have the file you will be able to follow this guidance … Continue reading →

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06. Evidence (1 Topics)

Guide on acceptable forms of evidence

The document below details information regarding acceptable evidence for the submission of Apprenticeship Completion Certificates. Whilst we still recommend that wherever possible copies of certificates are used to evidence achievement of the components within the framework, this document provides … Continue reading →

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07. Super Centres and Single Sign On (9 Topics)

What is a Super Centre?

Since ACE was launched in January 2012, ACE Users have been asked to register separate accounts for each of the certification bodies that they work with. To coincide with the launch of ACE 2.0 on the 1st of April 2014, … Continue reading →

How do I register for a Super Centre account?

By completing the Super Centre registration form below, a link to this form is also on the homepage. A member of the ACE Support Team will contact you within 10 working days to set-up your account. Once your account set-up … Continue reading →

Who in my organisation should register for a Super Centre account?

We recommend that the user who uses ACE most frequently registers for the Super Centre Account. This person will become the main admin user for your organisation. This user will be able to create an unlimited number of bespoke accounts … Continue reading →

I require certificates to be posted to more than one address, will I need more than one Super Centre Account?

Yes. Only one postal address can be registered for each account and this should be the address that you want all certificates to be posted to. If you require certificates to be sent to multiple addresses, you will need to … Continue reading →

I require my certificates to be purchased by more than one registered finance user, will I need more than one Super Centre Account?

Yes. Only one Finance User can be registered for each Super Centre account. If you require certificates to be purchased by multiple Finance Users, you will need to register for more than one Super Centre account (one for each Finance … Continue reading →

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08. Central Payment System (8 Topics)

Central Payment System Guidance

The Federation has developed a centralised payment system for all Apprenticeship completion certifications processed on the ACE system. There are three options for paying through the payment system: 1. Pre-pay by credit card. 2. Pre-pay by … Continue reading →

Introduction

The Federation has developed a centralised payment system for all Apprenticeship completion certifications processed on the ACE system. There are two options for paying through the payment system, either: 1. Pre-pay – this option will allow you to bulk … Continue reading →

What is a Finance User?

A Finance User is the only person within the training organisation who will be authorised to purchase credits for Apprenticeship certification. To become a Finance User you will need to request log in information by completing this form. … Continue reading →

Register as a Finance User

To prepare for the implementation of the Central Payment System you can now register as a Finance User for your centre. If you are going to purchase credits in advance only one person within the training organisation will be … Continue reading →

Payment Methods – Pre-Pay by Credit Card

Step-by-Step Instructions Once logged into the central payment system you will see the dashboard homepage summarising recent activity in purchasing credits. The Latest Purchase details basic information of your previous transaction. The Summary of … Continue reading →

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09. Central Payment System (CPS) FAQs (23 Topics)

What is the Central Payment System?

The central payment system is a new function inbuilt within the Apprenticeship Certificates England (ACE) system. Previously payment was made to the Apprenticeship Certification Bodies which meant that there are more than 20 different processes for payment. The new centralised … Continue reading →

Will I be refunded if I submit a learner to the wrong Certification Body?

Once a learner has been set to Pending Certification costs are incurred by the Certification Body so no refunds will be given if a candidate is submitted to the wrong Certification Body. The ACE system is designed to give users … Continue reading →

Why is the centralised billing happening?

The relevant legislation requires that payment should be made prior to certificates being issued. Additionally, the Federation working with BIS, NAS, other partners and feedback from training providers has indicated that there is confusion having so many different payment methods … Continue reading →

Will certification bodies still be certificating Apprenticeships?

Yes the certification bodies have the expertise in place to certificate their frameworks and so they will continue to process the certificates. It is only the payment system that is changing.

I am being asked to create a Finance User account on ACE when I change a learner’s status to “Pending Certification”. Why am I being asked this?

With the introduction of the new Central Payment System each Centre is required to register a Finance User to allow you to pay for apprenticeship certificates. Please register here http://www.acecerts.co.uk/register_finance_user Once you register, your account will be fully active within … Continue reading →

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10. ACE Frequently Asked Questions (11 Topics)

There are several people in my organisation who need access to ACE, do we all need to register?

No, only one person per Training Provider, College or Employer (known as a “Centre”) needs to register. They will be set up as an Administrator account for the organisation. They will be issued with an ACE username and password. The … Continue reading →

I need to create more users but the system won’t let me.

If additional user accounts need to be added then the Centre User will be able to set up accounts for colleagues to access the system. For more information on how to add users, see How To Add / Edit … Continue reading →

I haven’t received my username and password.

If you have yet to receive your ACE login details, please contact the ACE Support Team: Phone: 0844 573 2560 email: ace@fisss.org

I’ve forgotten my username / password.

If you have forgotten your password, click on the Forgotten Password link, next to the login button. Enter your username and email address that was used to register your ACE account and a link to reset your password will be … Continue reading →

Can I change my password?

To update your details including usernames and passwords, please see How To View & Amend Organisation Details

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11. ACE -IT (5 Topics)

How Do I Login / Register for ACE-IT?

ACE-IT is our on-line training and assessment tool developed by the Federation. It has been designed to help support all ACE users in correctly identifying acceptable forms of evidence, which are required to be submitted as part of all Apprenticeship … Continue reading →

How Do i Complete An ACE-IT Exercise?

Doc1 When you begin a new ACE-IT exercise you will be presented with a set of 15 questions. The questions are chosen randomly from the ACE-IT database. Each exercise will contain a mix of evidence types, some of which will … Continue reading →

How Do I Review My ACE-IT Answers?

When you have fully completed an exercise, you will be given your results and you have the opportunity to review your answers. Where you answered a question incorrectly, you will be given the correct answer/s which will facilitate your learning … Continue reading →

ACE-IT Outcome

You can undertake as many exercise sessions as you like, whenever you like. ACE-IT will keep a record of all exercises that you undertake and the outcome of each. The Federation will monitor the results of all exercises completed … Continue reading →

Can I Request A Report of My Organisations Score?

To request a ACE-IT report, complete the Report Request Form and email to reportrequests@fisss.org Please note, the Analytical Research Team will attempt to process your report as soon as possible, but cannot guarantee that reports will be produced less than ten working days from … Continue reading →

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12. ACE Rules (1 Topics)

ACE Rules

RULES OF USE FOR ALL USERS OF THE ACE ONLINE SYSTEM All users who access ACE are asked to agree to the following rules every time they log in. Your online access to the Apprenticeship Certificates England or … Continue reading →

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ACE Operational Issues (20 Topics)

ACE Operational Support – Notifications

In order that you are kept up to date with current support and guidance the Federation will inform you of changes to both the ACE system and the certification process via Notifications. These can be found at the top … Continue reading →

Are there any training materials available to help me with the ACE system?

Training guides for ACE are available to download at the top of the Knowledge Base page of the ACE website.

Can I upload more than one apprentice at a time?

ACE has a feature which will allow you bulk upload apprentices using a CSV file. All mandatory fields must have data entered into them otherwise it will create errors and won’t upload. A copy of the bulk upload template can … Continue reading →

I can’t see the framework needed for an apprentice.

You will need to contact the relevant Certification Body to have them assign the relevant framework to your ACE profile.

How do I make certificate claims via the ACE system?

In order to claim for an Apprenticeship Completion Certificate, you will need to upload evidence of an apprentice’s successful achievement / completion of all components of their Apprenticeship framework (e.g. copies of certificates and declaration forms). Evidence must be uploaded … Continue reading →

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