Education and Training Sector Update Supporting Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship Standards Update 2

Apprenticeship Summary Subject Levels Approved for delivery FE Mentor/ Assessor Coach/ Teacher 3, 4 and 5 No, standards and assessment plan published (3 and 4 only) but funding bands not agreed. Teaching Assistants 3 only (at present) No, assessment plan has recently been put out for consultation. Learning and Development 3 and 5 No, standard approved but assessment plan not approved. 3

Education and Training Standards Level 3 FE Learning Mentor requirements On programme: A minimum of 12 months before entering Gateway Minimum of Level 1 Safeguarding (qualification determined as suitable by the employer); English, Maths and IT at level 2 Completion of a Showcase including a selection of exemplary evidence End Point Assessment: 2 Learning Mentor sessions are observed totalling 120 minutes, this will usually be a one to one session but it may also be a group session (64% of EPA) Professional Discussion lasting 1 hour (36% of EPA) A grade of Fail, Pass or Distinction is awarded 4

Education and Training Standards Level 4 FE Assessor Coach requirements On programme: A minimum of 15 months before entering Gateway Minimum of Level 1 Safeguarding (qualification determined as suitable by the employer); English, Maths and IT at level 2 Completion of a Showcase including a selection of exemplary evidence End Point Assessment: 2 Assessor Coach sessions are observed totalling 120 minutes, this will usually be a one to one session but it may also be a group session (70% of EPA) Professional Discussion lasting 1 hour (30% of EPA) A grade of Fail, Pass or Distinction is awarded 5

SASE/W Frameworks Employment Related Services (Level 3) Learning and Development (Level 3) Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools (Level 3) Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (Level 2) 6

Qualifications Update including Assessor and Verifier focus X046 7

FE ‘core’ Qualifications Extended to 30th July 2020: Pearson BTEC Level 3 Award/ Level 4 Certificate/ Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training Level 3 Assessor qualifications (including all awards and the certificate); Level 4 Internal and External Verifier qualifications (Including all apart from the Lead External Verifier award, which is withdrawn). 8

Learning and Development Qualifications are currently under review…... Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Certificate in Learning and Development Pearson Edexcel Level 4 Diploma in Learning and Development 9

Supporting Teaching and Learning Qualifications are currently under review…... Pearson Edexcel Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools Pearson Edexcel Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools 10

Qualifications being / that have been withdrawn Advice and Guidance 600/0684/5 Pearson Edexcel Level 3 NVQ Certificate in Advice and Guidance 600/0685/7 Pearson Edexcel Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Advice and Guidance (Final registration date 30th April 2018. Final certification date 31st December 2020) Career Guidance 601/2598/6 Pearson BTEC Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development (Final registration date 31st December 2018. Final certification date 31st December 2020) Lead External Verifier 501/0842/6 Pearson Edexcel Level 4 Certificate in Leading the External Quality Assurance of Assessment (Final registration date 31st December 2018. Final certification date 31st December 2019) 11

New Qualification Pearson BTEC Level 2 Award in Principles of Safeguarding in a Learning Environment (603/2788/1) Designed to fulfil the requirements of the Apprenticeship standards and to support Employers implementing apprenticeship schemes On screen tested and first test opportunity May 2018. 12

Assessor / Verifier Qualifications focus These have evolved in focus as originally they were designed for QCF ‘NVQ’ qualifications. The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) have recently issued additional guidance for the use of the Assessor and Verifier qualifications. This guidance is available here: https://www.feadvice.org.uk/sites/default/files/TAQA%20additional%20guidance%20March%202018_2.pdf Main points: The purpose of these qualifications is to upskill the assessor workforce and this hasn’t changed Clarification that achievement does not have to be assessment of a regulated qualification, but could also be other assessment of NOS, employer standards or new Apprenticeship standards (we advise that if centres check if they are unsure about whether evidence is suitable) Suitability for both the EPA and Gateway stages of assessor qualification Expected increase in the numbers of assessors required with new apprenticeship standards. 13

Assessor / Verifier Qualifications focus Ensuring that trainee assessors are properly supported and supervised Countersigning the decisions of trainee assessors including when the course they are assessing doesn’t require a qualified assessor Assessors and IQAs undertaking regular and appropriate CPD Observing trainee assessors at appropriate intervals and face to face Using the correct type of evidence and assessment methodology for the corresponding assessor qualification The counter-signer is also the learner’s mentor. This individual must be occupationally competent and a qualified assessor. Examples of Good Practice 14

Assessor / Verifier Qualifications focus Frequently Asked Questions How long does it take to complete an assessor qualification? There is no set timescale, and it will depend on the volume of assessment that the learner undertakes. Generally, it is likely to take a minimum of 2-3 months dependent on the qualification that the learner is completing Can unqualified assessors deliver the assessor and quality assurance qualifications? No. This is clearly outlined in the Assessment Strategy for these qualifications. The Assessment strategy can be found as an annexe in the Assessor and Quality Assurance qualification specifications on the Pearson website 15

Assessor/ Verifier Qualifications focus Frequently Asked Questions What qualifications or standards can those working towards the unit ‘Assess Vocational Skills, Knowledge and Understanding’ assess? This unit requires assessment outside the workplace (eg workshops, classrooms and simulated environments). The trainee assessor’s evidence must include the assessment of skills, knowledge and understanding. Assessment could include: BTEC (Firsts, Nationals, Technicals, Higher Nationals); BTEC Workskills; BTEC Specialist and Professional; Traineeships; Functional Skills What qualifications or standards can those working towards the unit ‘Assess Competence in the Work Environment’ assess? This unit requires trainee assessors to assess work-based competence. As well as NVQ-type qualifications the following is also potentially acceptable: National Occupational Standards; Apprenticeship Standards; Employer Specified Standards 16

Education and Training supporting apprenticeships X046 17

Supporting Apprenticeships Suitable products for support: Assessor Qualifications Award in Education and Training Awards in Peer Mentoring and Peer Education (Level 2) Safeguarding Level 2 18

Assessor Qualifications and Apprenticeships Myth: Assessor qualifications are not needed in the new Standards Reality: There is going to be an increase in the number of assessors needed due to requiring assessors for both Gateway and End Point Assessment Some Assessment plans specify that assessors do need to be qualified for EPA In some sectors particularly it is seen as best practice to use qualified assessors in the workplace for assessing learners 19

Assessor Qualifications and Apprenticeships Myth: Specific assessor qualifications are required for apprenticeship and EPA Reality: The existing qualifications are designed to support workplace assessment. The following qualification is specifically for that purpose: Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment It is the ‘official’ assessor qualifications that all of the Awarding Organisations accept for assessors and this is supported by guidance from Education and Training Foundation Pearson are putting together support material to help providers deliver assessor qualifications for new apprenticeship standards 20

Education and Training Qualifications and Apprenticeship Pearson BTEC Level 3 Award in Education and Training Designed for individuals who are interested in teaching or for those Microteaching individuals and small groups. This is therefore highly relevant to people who are supporting apprentices in the workplace Two versions ‘with competence units’ and BTEC version. The competence version includes the following unit from the competence assessment award: D/601/5313 Understanding the Principles and Practices of Assessment Pearson BTEC Awards in Peer Education and Mentoring Smaller, level 2 qualifications which provide a taster to education and mentoring 21

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