Previously, all apprenticeships have been listed under individual Frameworks which detail the requirements and qualifications necessary for that apprenticeship. Apprenticeship Standards will be replacing the current Apprenticeship Frameworks. You can view the list of Standards here.
Key facts:
Designed by Trailblazers they are entirely employer-led and employment-focused. They aim to define a skilled job in just a few pages in
They include:
Core standard – knowledge, skills and behaviour necessary for the job role.
Options – optional units which can be chosen based on the business and industry, the skillset/interest of the apprentice and the apprentice’s future career path.
End-point assessment
Require a minimum of 20% off-the-job training.
A minimum of 372 days long
Include professional registration where necessary
What is an end-point assessment?
End-point assessment is a final exam in what the apprentice has learned over the duration of their training. Each Standard has its own requirements for the final assessment which are set by the Trailblazers and will have to be conducted by an independent Registered Apprenticeship Assessment Organisation which has been licensed by the Skills Funding Agency and which has the appropriate equipment and expertise. It should raise the validity of apprenticeships and reduce the need for continuous assessment by assessors. There will still be the need for assessors as the apprentice will need formative assessments throughout the apprenticeship. Combined with the portfolio and observations in the workplace, the end-point assessment is graded and the Government is hoping this will incentivise apprentices to work hard and aim high. If there is no assessment centre for the Standard, the apprenticeship cannot be completed. CWC can advise you about current Standards which are available and the end-point assessment process.
More information:
Trailblazers are responsible for designing the new Standards, some of which are designed to replace the current Frameworks and others which are new and for jobs which have never had apprenticeship training available before. The idea is to make apprenticeships employer-led so that the needs of the sector are met in full as well as meeting the needs of employers and the wider economy.
The Government is aiming to phase out the current Apprenticeship Frameworks by 2020. Like Frameworks, the Standards take a minimum of 12 months (372 days) to complete and cover knowledge, skills and behaviour in the workplace combined with time to study and a transferable skills element. However, Standards are focused on specific job roles whereas Frameworks are more industry-focused.
There are currently 260 standards published and ready for training which is the result of more than 200 Trailblazers working together – a total of more than 1400 employers. This compares to around 320 live Frameworks available but there are around 180 Standards still in development. You can view the list of Standards here.
