Trailblazer Apprenticeships
The re-shaping of Apprenticeships in England following the publication of the Richard Review, is well under way. The first waves of Trailblazer Apprenticeships, based on a published Occupational Standard, are equivalent to level 3 and aligned to Engineering Technician registration requirements. Completion of the transition from the existing to the new model is expected by 2017 or 2018. In the meantime, the existing Water Industry frameworks are expected to remain alive, available and funded.
In the Energy & Utilities Sector the first level 3 equivalent Trailblazer Apprentices are already on programme in the Power Industry. The water, gas and waste management & recycling industries are advancing the development of their first Trailblazers, with Occupational Standards published. The next stage of development will be publication of the detailed assessment plan to describe how achievement of the standard can be demonstrated.
The most significant change is the introduction of Synoptic Assessment which will enable apprentices to showcase the range of skills they have developed at the end of their apprenticeship. The published Occupational Standard defines the skills, knowledge and approach apprentices need to develop, practice and maintain to do this. The new model also introduces grading, with Pass and Distinction the two grades identified in the published Water Process Technician Occupational Standard.
The Assessment plan, yet to be published, will describe what shape the Synoptic Assessment will take and who will be involved. Recognising the significance of this change, a register of Approved Assessment Organisations is in development. When launched it will list approved service providers for specific apprenticeships in the new model.
The approved apprenticeship standards can be found on the website: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/apprenticeship-standards#energy-and-utilities-standards . The Water Process Technician Standard covers the roles of Process and Network roles at level 3 equivalent. Later developments will expand the range of roles at different levels.
We are closely tracking the development of the new model of Trailblazer apprenticeships and are ready to work proactively and flexibly with customers in the development and implementation of their apprenticeship programmes.