Apprenticeships are changing, and we’re here to help.

The Department for Education (DfE) has halted turning off apprenticeship frameworks, saying that they won’t withdraw any further frameworks until 2020. This is welcome news from the DfE, after months of concern that reforms around content, procurement and funding are being rolled out too fast. It’s encouraging to see that the DfE are willing to hit the pause button and allow providers to choose what they see fit for their learners.

At NCFE we understand the importance of clarity and support when it comes to navigating reform and accommodating change. We’re uniquely set to support the most recent announcements from the DfE, with a range of qualifications for apprenticeship frameworks, and a growing range of end-point assessment (EPA) solutions for apprenticeship standards.

There are various levels of apprenticeships but all include elements of on and off-the-job training which adheres to industry recognised standards or qualifications. We’re committed to helping learners achieve their potential through apprenticeships which is why we’ve developed a range of full and part apprenticeships at higher, advanced and intermediate level, as well as our EPA solution. We also offer supporting qualifications which provide the flexibility to create bespoke Progression to Apprenticeship packages for learners.

Apprenticeship frameworks

Our high quality apprenticeships provide everything needed to help learners develop the essential skills and experience to get on in work. We offer apprenticeships across a range of sectors including Business, Leadership and Management and Customer Service.

To support our apprenticeship offer we’ve teamed up with partners, such as Oxford University Press and ForSkills, to develop a host of learning resources. These include qualification support packs which provide examples of how to prepare for delivering our qualifications and templates which can be adapted for different delivery contexts and circumstances. All NCFE apprenticeship customers who register learners on our Functional Skills qualifications will receive free access to the ForSkills initial assessment and online diagnostic tool, as well as access to Oxford University Press’ Functional Skills Progress range.

End-point assessment (EPA)

NCFE is one of the few organisations approved by the Skills Funding Agency to deliver EPA and offers support in a variety of sectors and subject areas. EPA signifies one of the biggest apprenticeship reforms in recent times and stems from the 2013 government-commissioned Richard Review into apprenticeships. The findings called for an end to continuous assessment in favour of an external assessment that more accurately reflected a learner’s capabilities and readiness for a particular role. What’s more, the independent nature of the assessment is designed to ensure that skills are transferable across different organisations and respected industry-wide.

NCFE is an approved EPA organisation for the following subject areas:

• Customer Service
• Leadership and Management
• Hospitality
• Professional services
• Retail
• Social Care (offered under the CACHE brand)

We want our customers to have a great experience when they work with NCFE and we want to support them as much as possible. To do this, we provide all of the relevant guidance and information to help with planning and coordinating EPA activity within an organisation. 

NCFE Apprenticeship Programmes are designed to provide     Top of Form

Apprenticeship reforms

We believe in being open and honest with our customers and always ensure to communicate changes and developments as soon as possible. To make sure that we can support our customers with the ongoing apprenticeship reforms, we are part of various trailblazer groups in which we share knowledge, advice and support to employers and training providers.

We’re here to support and guide our customers through the changing landscape of apprenticeships and have a range of solutions to ensure that learners are getting the very best training to prepare them for, and support them in, their chosen industry and profession.

Whichever path learners choose, framework or standard, NCFE has the solution for you.