Join the debate

Changes to Apprenticeship grading

Lindsay Plumpton

By: Lindsay Plumpton

Communications Leader

Wednesday 12 November 2014

0 Comment

Skills Minister Nick Boles has revealed that new apprenticeship frameworks will no longer have to be graded using pass, merit and distinction. Instead, it will be assessed whether apprenticeships should be graded on a ‘case by case basis’ as a compromise position.

The change in direction follows concerns raised by the sector regarding apprenticeship reform. However, it will only be a small number of cases where apprenticeships will be exempt from grading and there will need to be good justification to warrant this exemption.

At NCFE, we understand this compromise, going back to what Richard Hamer, Education Director at BAE systems said: “either you can put the wing on the plane or you can’t, you’re either capable of doing a thing or not’. His comment raises questions about expectations of consistency across apprenticeship frameworks for stakeholders, in particular employers.

Can employers be confident that a prospective employee who has achieved an equivalent level Apprenticeship in a related or other sector has achieved the same level of rigour?

And wouldn’t employers be naturally disinclined to take on a ‘Pass’ graded apprentice, when there are ‘Distinction’ graded apprentices out there?

Are there more work environment relevant ways of differentiating excellence for Apprentices who’ve put in the extra time and effort (real working practices such as progression through pay scale or an increase in responsibilities).

It’s fantastic that the government has listened and responded to concerns of the sector to ensure a positive implementation of the new system and to encourage increased take-up of apprenticeships with both applicants and employers.

Tags:

More Posts

No comments have been posted yet. Please feel free to comment first!

Post a Comment

Subscribe

Get notified when a new post is published.


Authors

Categories