TUC Apprenticeships pack inserts (7a)

9
Frameworks
& standards
Frameworks and standards
Most apprentices will
be covered by an
Apprenticeship framework,
but some may be covered
by a newly designed
Standard, which has been
developed by a group of
employers under the new
“Trailblazer” process.
Trailblazers were
established to give
employers greater
ownership of the
Apprenticeship
system and ensure
that Apprenticeships
meet the needs of
businesses and the
wider sector
There are over 200 different types of
Apprenticeships currently available in
England, through existing Apprenticeship
frameworks, available in thirteen broad
sector subject areas. Apprentices can
receive qualifications ranging from those
equivalent to five GCSE passes to those
equivalent to a degree.
An Apprenticeship framework:
➜➜
is a document which covers all
the statutory requirements for an
Apprenticeship programme in England
or Wales
➜➜
is used by colleges, employers and
training providers to make sure that
all Apprenticeship programmes are
delivered consistently and therefore to
national standards, no matter where in
England and Wales the Apprenticeship
takes place
➜➜
includes the names of all qualifications
and what each qualification is worth
(their “credit value”)
➜➜
gives guidance on how to get onto an
Apprenticeship programme, the time
it will take and career paths available
after an Apprenticeship.
New, employer-designed Apprenticeship
standards are being developed to replace
the current Apprenticeship frameworks.
These will eventually replace existing
Apprenticeship frameworks. This process
has been underway since October 2013
when the first eight Trailblazers were
launched, and there are now over 140
Trailblazers that have been collectively
delivered. Once the process is complete,
there will be over 350 new Apprenticeship
Standards developed by Trailblazer groups
of employers. Trailblazers were established
to give employers greater ownership of
the Apprenticeship system and ensure
that Apprenticeships meet the needs of
businesses and the wider sector.
It’s important for unions to be involved
in the trailblazer process to ensure that
the apprentice is represented in any
discussions. Unions will be well placed to
ensure that a standard is designed which
will enable an apprentice to progress and
develop high quality skills.
For example, Unite was heavily involved
in developing a Trailblazer standard
in the print sector. 13 This ensured that
Apprenticeships included rigorous training
standards and relevant qualifications for
apprentices. Unions were able to represent
13
www.unitetheunion.org/news/unite-develops-apprenticeships-to-secure-paper-and-print-industry/