Major review of technical education provision for Engineering and Manufacturing launched

Record number of #apprenticeships to be reviewed in Engineering and Manufacturing sector

Today (16 October) the Institute has launched a major review of technical education provision for Engineering and Manufacturing.

A total of 59 apprenticeship standards will be under review with the Institute focusing on their quality and long-term validity. Recommendations will be published in Winter 2020/21.

A public consultation has been launched as part of the review. It will last for 12 weeks, giving employers, apprentices, training providers and anyone else with an interest in apprenticeships serving these key sectors the chance to have their say. You can take part in the consultation by visiting this link.

The Institute’s Chief Executive, Sir Gerry Berragan, said:

“I’m delighted that we have now launched the review into apprenticeships for engineering and manufacturing. These sectors have a huge pool of apprentices and rely on them to develop the quality skills needed; this review will help provide employers with the right apprenticeships needed with the right quality.”

Dr Graham Honeyman CBE, Route Panel Chair for the Engineering and Manufacturing sector, said:

“It’s great that the review of Engineering and manufacturing Route Review has now been launched. The importance of apprenticeships is huge – they are training the next generation to help ensure that British engineering and manufacturing thrives for years to come. It is vital that we make sure that apprenticeships are fit for businesses looking to develop young talent, which is why I would like to urge as many people as possible to take part in this consultation and support the vital review.”

Bob Barnes, a fellow Route Panel member who is Managing Director of Motortrade Consultants Ltd, said:

“The sheer number of apprenticeship standards under review shows the scale of engineering and manufacturing involvement in apprenticeships, which we are very proud of. This review will help to ensure that all the apprenticeships remain relevant and support the needs of a thriving UKPLC.”

The Route Review will be looking the Engineering and manufacturing route as well as 59 apprenticeships standards, these can be found by clicking here.

Apprenticeship standards have been developed through the apprenticeship reform programme by employers, because they are best placed to understand their skills and training needs, with support from the Institute and the Education and Skills Funding Agency. Their predecessors, apprenticeship frameworks, faced criticism for not sufficiently reflecting employers’ skills requirements, and will be switched off from next year.

Following the publishing of recommendations, the Institute will take a sensible pace of change with the standards available to ensure a smooth transition.

‘Routes’ are groupings of apprenticeship standards structured around similar occupations. There are 15 routes in total and this latest ‘Route review’ is focusing on Engineering and Manufacturing standards. It will also look at on how the Occupation Map for this route to skilled employment, which is maintained by the Institute and charts different technical education learning options, should be updated.

Route Panels are responsible for ensuring that apprenticeship standards and T-Level qualifications are high quality and meet the needs of employers, apprentices and learners and the economy at large.

This is the latest Route Review to be launched by the Institute. The first Route Review was for the Digital route and concluded in May this year.

Route Reviews for the Agriculture, Environment and Animal Care, Creative and Design and Hair and Beauty routes are ongoing.

It is important to the Institute that the Route Reviews are employer-led, and that we would like to have strong engagement with employers throughout the review period.