Apprenticeship Quality Overview Flemish Delegation 23 May 2018 Philip Edmeades Standards Policy Lead  

Why are we reforming apprenticeships? Rapid Expansion of volumes from 2009 – 2010 – but questionable quality – and too many at lower level and questionable content. The Richard Review of 2012 – what to do to reform apprenticeships https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/34708/richard-review-full.pdf Current frameworks. “…drive a focus on continuous bureaucratic box-ticking and assessment and obscure the real task of an apprenticeship – to teach new knowledge and skills, and demonstrate to future employers that an apprentice can do their job.” Let employers design the apprenticeships that are right for them Establish high quality new standards with all the requirements for each occupation on 1 page; One standard for each occupation Test apprentices at the end with a holistic end-point assessment to demonstrate occupational competence . Achievement provides professional recognition where required. Details 2009/10 2010/11 % increase All age apps 279,000 442,000 58% 25+ 49,100 175,500 250% 16-24 230,000 267,000 16% Asda 25,000 Morrisons 18,000

…according to a framework… Each of these qualifications have their own specification The Pearson Certificate contains 138 units and is 601 pages long

…or according to a standard…

Core principles Core principles of a quality apprenticeship: It is a real job in a skilled occupation; It requires substantial and sustained training, lasting a minimum of 12 months and involving at least 20% off-the-job training; Currently preparing regulations to re-inforce this; It develops transferable skills; plus English and maths, to progress careers; It leads to full competency and capability in an occupation; It trains the apprentice to the level required to apply for professional recognition, where this exists. Currently proposing to introduce regulations to strengthen 20% and 12 month minimum requirements.

What steps we have taken to raise quality ? Details Purpose Timeline? Roll out new employer-led apprenticeship standards Establish high quality standards across all sectors Standards to replace frameworks by 2020 End Point Assessment for every standard Confirm that apprentices are occupationally competent. Established as standards rolled out. External Quality Assurance of Assessment Ensure independent assurance of EPA Managed by Institute for Apps since April 2017 New requirements around duration and content of training Strengthen funding & regulatory requirements to ensure minimum standards Established in funding rules in 2016/17:12 month minimum duration and 20% off-job training: Established in regulations Dec 2017 Establish Institute for Apprenticeships a new Quality Body for Apprenticeships – Lead on approval of standards and assessment plans; recommends funding bands. Leads Quality Alliance IfA established April 2017 to -approve Apprenticeship stds & assessment plans - Quality assure delivery of end-point assessments

Apprenticeship Quality –partners DfE Overall policy on apprenticeships and standards ESFA: Funding/Payments Approval of apprenticeship training providers Approval of End Point Assessment organisations Issuing of certificates on behalf of IfA IFA Approval of standards and assessment plans Responsibility for certification on behalf of Secretary of State Overall responsibility for External Quality Assurance of end-point assessment Leadership of the Quality Alliance Ofsted Inspection of apprenticeship provision Ofqual (regulates qualifications, exams and tests in England) Quality assurance of (some) end-point assessment Quality Assurance Agency Quality assurance of Degree apprenticeships

The wider Quality assurance system for apprenticeships Minimum duration 12 month and 20% off-thejob: Quality is prioritised throughout. Who: EPAOs on the ESFA register Who ; ESFA Who ; ESFA Wider Quality Assurance process slide covers the following: Standards approval process – which we have discussed Register of Apprenticeship Training Orgs – have to be approved by ESFA Register of Apprenticeship Assessment Orgs (ESFA) Apprenticeship Agreement and Commitment statement (signed by employer) and AA now set out in regulations Inspection of provision (Ofsted/QAA, End Point Assessment EPAOs on the register Quality Assurance of EPA by Assurance body (specified) eg Ofqual/QAA/Sector body/IfA Ongoing evaluation of the programme Who ; ESFA & recommends funding band Who ; ESFA/Ofsted IfA recommendation to DfE on Funding Band IfA - leads Quality Alliance

Apprenticeship Standards progress so far To date 275 standards are approved for delivery with a further 262 in development

Emerging issues for apprenticeships Competing pressures of increasing volumes v retaining quality Availability of new standards and the speed of approval (Institute’s Faster and Better) Training provider coverage of new standards End Point Assessment Organisation coverage Challenges from employers/providers around off-the-job training (20% requirement is seen as too difficult for many)