Trailblazer education meeting Dept of Education, Express Logistics was co-chaired last week by Louise O'Neil Whistl and Trevor Hoyle former FedEx, Andy Scott from DFE IFA and Phil Martin DfT were at the table with updates. Key discussion was on latest end point assessment success for the degree apprenticeship and the ongoing revision of the level two express delivery operative level two.
Andy Scott updated the education group on the new DFE IFA rules with immediate effect for option to drop the Maths and English qualifications that used to run alongside the apprenticeships. Explaining the step to Skills England, Andy assured the employers it would be business as usual. Andy went on to outline the vision for shorter apprenticeship training periods - falling from 278 hour in 12 months, (6 hours a week) to 8 months with a total of 190 hours. Impacts of peak period Nov-Dec was discussed. Employers warmed greatly to the shorter course lengths.
Trevor Hoyle is to take a lead on a chairs' sub-group to review for the KSBs matching the new duty list for delivery operative; Trevor offered some meetings at IFA Coventry office where everyone could be at table for a sensible speedy review of the unit detail updates. Getting the wording correct alongside employer content detail.
End point assessment for express delivery operative
Clarity was sought on the existing wording for employer choice in the simulation assessment, it was agreed that the wording gives enough focus to clarify the employer gets a choice with the assessor as to which stream of simulation the candidate takes, Andy agreed to review and report the existing extract with that clarity highlighted.
Phil Martin delivered the broader transport picture of apprenticeships with HGV and heavy vehicle maintenance programmes. He explained the driver shift to bootcamps for quicker HGV licence acquisition and welcomed latest apprenticeship news that 12 month programmes may be proposed to become 8 months. Also speaking on cross-modal specialist colleges for engineering, where an HGV mechanic could be at a general engineering establishment covering other modes of rail, air and sea engineering.
