DfE IFA workshop in Sept. Working together to make the skill system better. Employers at the heart of apprenticeships. 650 Apprenticeship standards approved so far. Tavistock Place, heart of central London for a deep dive look at where we are on Govt apprenticeships. An IFA DfE event sponsored by Gatsby. Nikki Christie introduced, We have grown and developed, I see the wealth and depth of knowledge from the professional bodies to add something extra special. Working together to make the skill system stronger. So far we have approved 650 apprenticeships and 16 new T levels. 85% of employers say they are satisfied with the apprenticeships. We appeal to you to engage in the route reviews.
The Big Conversation, Express sector needs supervisor apprenticeships for lead driver or sortation junior manager. The Big Conversation. What it says on the tin, a conversation between IFA, employers & apprentices, we want all your views on the skills system. How does the skills system work for you? How do you engage candidates?, how do you deal with funding? How is the the range and quality of apprenticeship right for the Express sector? Fitting level two sortation, delivery operative and express manager together in an express sector staircase of career. How do we deal with the parity of desirability between an academic and/or apprentice route. Degree at University or Apprenticeship degree on the job. Good points raised included the diversity of age access, almost any age candidate can join an apprenticeship route.
What are T levels? We don’t have any for express logistics! The lens turned from apprenticeships to T level quals. New two-year courses to follow what we called O levels. A mix of classroom theory and practical learning. Deployed in collaboration with employers. A two-year technical course. A three month, 45 day placement. T levels are not apprenticeships, they are different, they are eighty percent in the classroom. Not all youngsters are confident enough to go into the workplace, This is the T level route with a short work placement sample while still in school. Tarif for a T level is comparable to delivery of three A levels via UCAS.
Professional bodies in the Skill System. Different shapes and sizes of institutes, getting learners qualifications that are up to date and recognised by employers. IFA understand we need to engage with professional bodies and build on sector expertise. Ministers have asked IFA to review a push for completion of apprenticeships.
The next step for Express final mile in the skill system is to look at L3 technical qualifications. IOC as govt stakeholder, professional body, secretary the IFA apprenticeship Trailblazer group and are on the directory of IFA to review external quality of the apprenticeships. IOC engage with young entrants to the sector with an extract of the fellows Sunday email sector briefing newsletter, engaging those youngsters with membership of the family of final mile.
Employer directory – Two years ago a consultation moved external quality review from individual bodies to OFQUAL with support from bodies such as IOC to provide sector expertise. A more regulated system. Where OFQUAL review education assessment, IOC check occupational content and deliver expert advise on content and interpretation of sector detail.
