Apprenticeships in England are changing
There are 2 key changes:
Frameworks to Standards
- From 1 August 2020, all new apprentices will start their apprenticeship on the standards model, and the framework model will no longer be available.
- If an apprentice has already started on a framework model they will continue their apprenticeship on that framework model.
Apprenticeship service
- The Apprenticeship Service is available to all now, although optional for non levy-paying employers until 31 March 2021.
- From 1 April 2021 all apprenticeships must be arranged through the Government’s Apprenticeship Service.
Employers in England still using apprenticeship frameworks should plan their move to standards and set up an Apprenticeship Service account online.
How they work
Apprenticeship standards in construction in England follow a pattern of vocational training meeting Gateway requirements (including English and Maths). This is then followed by practical and knowledge tests to complete the apprenticeship.
For information on apprenticeship standards in England (also called 'Trailblazers') please visit the Institute for Apprenticeships (IFA) website. The IFA gives details on how to develop standards, assessment plans and apprenticeships, and holds all the approved apprenticeship standards for England. Under each entry you can see the trade, the date the standard was approved, what level, the length of the qualification and the maximum amount of funding you can receive for training an apprentice at this level.
The Education and Skills Funding Agency has stated that all frameworks (where they have not already been closed by Issuing Authorities) will be withdrawn by them 2020 to 2021 academic year, as they expect that employers and providers will have completed the transition by this date.
See Withdrawal of apprenticeship frameworks guidance
Training specifications to support apprenticeship standards
CITB works with employer development groups to develop training specifications which support the new standards in England. These documents provide the detail of the skills and knowledge that an apprentice must gain and demonstrate before their End-Point Assessment.
View and download these specifications
Further information about moving from frameworks to standards
The move in England from framework apprenticeships to the new standards-based apprenticeships affects how apprenticeships are assessed. The new apprenticeship standard focuses on assessing the apprentice at the end of their apprenticeship journey when they are expected to be most accomplished and able to demonstrate competence in performing the occupational role. This move towards the end-point assessment for final certification of competence moves the focus away from the framework approach of on-going assessment throughout the apprenticeship.
The Sector plan report shows all apprenticeship standard (trailblazer) activity for construction and the built environment. It includes:
- a summary
- a table of apprenticeships ready for delivery
- current apprenticeships in development
- future development activity.
Download the Sector plan report (PDF, 202KB)