From May, JTM will be launching new apprenticeship standards in conjunction with our employers. It’s important to understand the main differences between a ‘standard’ and the old apprenticeship ‘framework’. We’ve put together five frequently asked questions to help differentiate the two.

1. What do Standards entail?
Apprenticeships are commonly associated with a practical skillset and application. ‘Standards’ take this one step further, with an equal emphasis on the knowledge our learners develop and the behaviour that our employers require, making for a more ‘well-rounded’ experience for everyone involved. This is known as Knowledge, Skills and Behaviour.

2. Who designs Standards?
The new Apprenticeship Standards have been designed by employer ‘trailblazer’ groups. What may surprise you is that the minimum number of employers needed to design each standard is 10 – this is to ensure the content delivered consistently reflects the industry demands.

3. How are Standards summarised?
The summary for each Standard will be no longer than two pages, making it easier for both employers and learners to understand what is required, and included in the Standard. The most important information such as job role, duration of programme, knowledge, skills, and behaviour and what qualifications are available will be clearly stated in the summary.

4. How are Standards assessed?
Apprenticeship frameworks were achieved through on-programme assessment, which involved the assessor and their learner building a portfolio of work over the duration of the programme. With the new Standards, this has changed to an ‘end-point assessment’, which is carried out at the end of a programme and allows the learner to show everything they have learnt during this time. Each standard will differ, but the most common methods of EPA include; work-based observation, written tests, review of work and professional discussions.

5. Have all Frameworks been replaced?
New Standards are being approved each day as new job roles and skill areas are identified, but there are still frameworks that have not been replaced just yet. The funding for these will continue (albeit reduced). For example; JTM will continue to offer learners and employers Apprenticeship Frameworks in Leadership & Management L5 and Business Administration until a Standard replaces them.

If you have any questions about the new Apprenticeship Standards, please contact us by phone today on 01513369340, by e-mail at info@jarvis-eu.com or speak to an agent on our live chat.