Apprenticeship Standards in England

New Apprenticeship Standards are being developed in England which will, ultimately, replace the current frameworks.

An independent review of Apprenticeships by Doug Richard in 2012 sought to develop a world-class Apprenticeship system in England, offering young people a real alternative to University, and employers a ‘job ready’ pipeline of workers. The final report resulted in a series of recommendations designed to make Apprenticeships more rigorous and more responsive; notably putting you, the employers, in control.

• Trailblazers

  A number of employer groups, known as ‘Trailblazers,’ have been set up to develop the new apprenticeship standards. Trailblazers also develop the Assessment Plans. The Institute for Apprenticeships supply guidance on the processes involved.

  Employers lead the activity to determine the content of each new Apprenticeship Standard, consulting with their sector as required before submitting the final products to the Institute for Apprenticeships. The submitted products go through a series of quality checks within the Institute before approval is given and the group proceed to the next phase.

  Some trailblazers choose to develop additional resources and employer briefs for use during implementation.

  We are currently supporting, facilitating and advising a number of Trailblazers Groups including Probation Officer, Fire Safety Inspector, Community Safety Advisor and Custody and Detention Officer.

Skills for Justice facilitate these developments in partnership with sector employers. Our expert advisors can help employers navigate their way through the development of Apprenticeship Standards and Assessment Plans, reducing the burden on busy employers and ensuring momentum and enthusiasm is maintained.

• This is what two of the Trailblazers had to say:

  “Our Development Specialist from SfJ has been an invaluable part of the Trailblazer working group. She really is the glue that holds the team together and without her we would not have developed the apprenticeship in just over a year. The Fire and Rescue Services in England have, with a great deal of assistance from SfJ, secured an apprenticeship that will develop the next generation of firefighters and help them develop the skills the service will need.”

  Tim Hyde, Director of Response at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service

  “SFJ have been a critical part of the development of our trailblazer, they understand the landscape and intricacies of apprenticeship development and have provided pertinent information at every stage of the process. In addition to this they have been fundamental operating as the Project Management office driving the process, keeping us on track and answering questions swiftly. It has been a pleasure working with SfJ through this and I am confident that together we will be successful.”

  Richard Heaton, Head of Learning and Professional Development, Interserve (Justice)

Apprenticeship Development in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Whilst Trailblazers and Apprenticeship Standards development are unique to England, Skills for Justice also continue to work with employers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to develop new and/or to review existing apprenticeship frameworks.

• Scotland

  In Scotland, there are four types of Apprenticeship:

  • Foundation Apprenticeships
  • Modern Apprenticeships
  • Technical / Professional Apprenticeships
  • Graduate Apprenticeships

  The Apprenticeship Levy will contribute to Apprenticeship Funding in Scotland; employers can access apprenticeship funding via training provider contracts for approved apprenticeship frameworks, administered through Skills Development Scotland. Skills for Justice can assist employers to develop new apprenticeships and review existing ones.

• Wales

  In Wales, there are three types of Apprenticeship:

  • Foundation Apprenticeships
  • Apprenticeships
  • Higher Apprenticeships

   The Apprenticeship Levy will contribute to Apprenticeship Funding in Wales; employers can access apprenticeship funding via training provider contracts for approved apprenticeship frameworks, administered through the Welsh Assembly Government.

  Skills for Justice can assist employers to develop new apprenticeship frameworks and review existing ones as we are authorised by the Welsh Assembly Government as the ‘Issuing Authority’ for apprenticeship frameworks in Wales for the justice and finance sectors.

  We can assist employers to develop a new framework and ensure it complies with the Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for Wales (SASW) before it can be issued. SASW frameworks can now be accessed here.

• Northern Ireland

  In Northern Ireland, only apprenticeship frameworks that have been approved by the Department for the Economy will be funded and there is no separate Levy fund to access.