Skills England requires all End Point Assessment Plans (EPA) to be put into the new Apprentice Assessment Plan (AAP) format by the end of August. Other amendments will follow for standards or funding bands which require revision and new standards have been paused.
Meanwhile, we await publication of the government’s Degree Apprenticeship policy and specific guidance on Assessment of Behaviours.
Cogent Skills standards
The Science Manufacturing Process Operative L2 is now in AAP format and will be live for new starters from November 1 (for more details, click here).
The following standards are currently being transferred from EPA to AAP:
- Nuclear Health Physics Monitor L2
- Nuclear Operative L2
- Engineering Maintenance Technician - Single Discipline L3
- Engineering Maintenance Technician - Dual Discipline L3
Other standards are awaiting transition from EPA to AAP:
- Science Manufacturing Technician L3
- Process Industry Manufacturing Technician L3
- Composites Technician L3
- Polymer Processing Technician L3
- Battery Manufacturing Technician L3
- Bulk Storage Terminal Technician L3
- Nuclear Welding Inspection Technician L3
- Lab Technician L3
- Technician Scientist L5 (due for publication)
- Scientist L6 (awaiting policy)
- Research Scientist L7
The following standards are awaiting revisions and the transition from EPA to AAP:
- Manufacturing Professional (previously Manufacturing Manager) L6
- Manufacturing Professional (was SIPPE) L6
- Nuclear Welding Inspection Technician L3
- Nuclear Technician L5
- Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineer L6
Non-Cogent Skills standards
The following are at various stages in the transition from EPA to AAP:
- Business Administrator L3 (AAP revised, awaiting funding band)
- Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner L4 (new version live September 24)
- Process Leader L4 (revision underway)
- Quality Practitioner L4 (revision underway)
- Manufacturing Support Technician L4 (revision underway)
- Project Manager L6 (out for public consultation)
- Manufacturing Engineer L6 (awaiting degree policy for AAP drafting)
Several standards are yet to begin the transition process:
- Data Analyst L4
- Data Scientist L6 (employers interested in joining the review group should contact Nicole Suter - see contact details below)
- Digital and Technology Solutions Professional L6 (AAP review to be undertaken with universities delivering the standard)
Finally, a number of standards are awaiting the transition from EPA to AAP with government funding having been withdrawn:
- Facilities Management Supervisor L3 (funding ends September 1)
- Chartered Manager L6 (funding ends September 1)
- Senior Leader L7 (funding withdrawn for learners aged 22+)
- Sustainability Business Specialist L7 (funding withdrawn for learners aged 22+)
- DTSS L7 (funding withdrawn for learners aged 22+)
- AI Specialist L7 (funding withdrawn for learners aged 22+)
Updates from Skills England
Skills England has also published the following updates which employers should be aware of:
- New deal for young people to end ‘degree by default’ culture and boost youth apprenticeships (read here)
- Skills Minister, Baroness Smith of Malvern, has asked Skills England to provide advice on which apprenticeship standards should be prioritised for a funding band review (read here)
- Updated requirements and guidance for apprenticeship assessment (read here).
For more information about how these changes will affect you as a science-based employer, contact [email protected]
