Discover everything you need to know below — from key insights to helpful tips that make a difference.
From May, Fareport will be launching many new apprenticeship standards with our employers. Find out more about how a ‘standard’ differs from an old apprenticeship ‘framework’.
1. Standards are designed by employers
All new apprenticeship standards have been designed by employer ‘trailblazer’ groups. A minimum of 10 employers were needed to design each standard so that the content reflects the skills that the industry needs.
2. All standards are summarised on 2 pages
The promise of one-page standards has been stretched to mean one double-sided piece of paper! These simple 2-page summaries help employers and learners quickly see what the standard covers. It defines the relevant job roles, programme duration, qualifications included, and the knowledge, skills and behaviours the learner will develop.
3. Standards cover Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours
When many people think of apprenticeships, they think of skills and practical application. New standards place equal emphasis on the knowledge the learner will develop, and the behaviours that employers want to see. While these have always been part of apprenticeship training, the expectations are now much more clearly defined for the learner and employer.
4. The programme is achieved at the End-Point Assessment
Under frameworks, apprenticeships were achieved through on-programme assessment. The learner and their trainer would build a portfolio of evidence throughout their programme to show they’d met all the requirements of the apprenticeship framework.
With standards, there will be an End-Point Assessment, carried out by an independent assessor. Just like in a driving test, this is a chance for the apprentice to show all the things they’ve learnt during the programme.
Common methods of End-Point Assessment include:
- Professional discussion
- Observation in the workplace
- Knowledge test
- Review of portfolio of work
5. Not all frameworks have been replaced with new standards
There are more new standards being approved every day. Employer groups are currently working on over 200 new standards and more will be added as new job roles and skills gaps are identified. Some standards are brand new job roles, and others will replace existing frameworks.
There are many examples of where a framework hasn’t been replaced with an equivalent standard, and so funding will continue for these (though at a reduced rate). For example, at Fareport we will continue to offer our employers and learners Apprenticeship Frameworks in Care Leadership & Management Level 5 and Business Administration at all levels until a new standard replaces them.