An update on the Digital Route Review

As Relationship Manager for the Digital Route Review (DRR) it is my role to help the Trailblazer Groups work through the Institute’s recommendations and take a holistic look at the standards under review and how they are working both currently and with an eye to the future.

The aim of this blog is to keep those in the digital apprenticeship community up to date at a high level with how the review is going and provide some timescales for when you can expect to see changes to the standards under review.

The blog will contain updates from the Institute and the Trailblazer Group (TBG) Chairs. You can find TBG contacts on the individual apprenticeship standards pages on our website.

We look forward to your questions and responses to our posts and welcome your involvement in the review process.

Since 20 May 2019

TBG has formed or refocussed to respond to the DRR recommendations and deliver improved, policy compliant standards.

The process is employer led and so the TBGs have been keen to focus on hearing the employer voice across a range of sizes and sectors.

The Institute has issued several mailshots to users of standards and also providers asking them to contact their employer clients using the standards to see if they would like to contribute.

We have been especially active for the Network Engineer, Unified Communications Technician (UCT) and Unified Communications Trouble-shooter (UCTS) standards as those employers seem to be slower at coming forward currently. Simon Keyland would be especially happy to hear from any users of the UCT and UCTS as these are pending potential decommissioning.

Current progress and brief timeline

All standards are moving along to time and are expecting submission of revised standards in October for November Route Panel to discuss.

Software Developer Technician L3 and Software Developer L4 have had their employer workshop and made great strides in considering the links to T-levels and also the wider digital apprenticeship landscape around these occupations.

End-point assessment (EPA) workshops will commence in October for Data Analyst and Network Engineer and so any interested third parties should contact the TBG Chairs to let them know they would like to be part of the process. Becky Plant for Data Analyst and Dave Barlow for Network Engineer.

There will be an open invitation to end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) and providers to review drafts for comment following the workshop and any interested parties should contact the relevant TBG Chairs to discuss. Clearly the process is employer led and so balance in representation at the workshops is key whilst recognising that this process does also affect providers and EPAOs.

Summary of activity and timeline for standards review

• Data Analyst L4 – firming up the KSBs with TBG prior to wider consultation. Aiming to submit standard to Route Panel by 31 October. EPA workshop scheduled for mid-October.
• Network Engineer L4 – sharing draft Standard with TBG prior to wider consultation. Aiming to submit standard to Route Panel by 31 October. EPA workshop scheduled for mid-October.
• Unified Communications Trouble-shooter L4 – lack of employer interest at present means this standard may be decommissioned as content does not fit with Network Engineer. No decision has been reached on recommendations to be made yet. Aiming to submit recommendation back to Route Panel by 31 October 2019
• Cyber Intrusion Analyst L4 and Cyber Security Technologist L4 – employers are meeting in regular workshops to redraft the standard and are making good progress with the aim of submitting the revised standard by 08 January 2020.
• Software Developer Technician L3 and Software Developer L4 – held intensive workshop for employers on 25/26 Sept to build draft standard and consider the link to T-levels and pre-existing standards. Aiming to submit revised standard to Route Panel by 08 January 2020
• Infrastructure Technician L3 and Unified Communications Technician and Software Tester L3 – work ongoing in advance of workshop on 24/25 October to revise standard and consider if UCT can fit effectively within the IT L3. The workshop will also consider the link to T-levels and pre-existing standards. Aiming to submit revised standard to Route Panel by 08 January 2020 with EPA workshop shortly afterwards.
• IS Business Analyst L4 – work on going with TBG to review draft duties and KSBs in advance of a workshop at the Business Analyst Managers Forum in November. Aiming to submit standard to Route Panel by 08 January 2020.
• Digital and Technology Solutions Professional  Level 6 – TBG has expanded to include further employers and are currently considering the core KSBs before moving onto the specialisms/options currently available. Research is being commenced to test the necessity for the mandatory inclusion of a degree so that an evidence based decision may be reached. Aiming to submit revised Core standard and options by 08 January 2020.