1. Sector Update: Retail Presenter: Tara Powerville
Illustration by Nacho Rojo
Sector Update: Retail
Presenter: Tara Powerville
Sector Manager: Hospitality, Retail, Travel & Tourism and Service Enterprises
October 2017
Presentation Title Arial Bold 7 pt

2. What is the purpose of today?
Illustration by Lucy Vigrass
What is the purpose of today?
1 Technical Certificate
2 Apprenticeship Update
3 Extensions and Withdrawals

3. Technical Certificate

4. Technical Certificates – Level 2
The following qualification have gone live and are open for registrations:
Pearson BTEC Level 2 Technical Certificate in Retail Operations 603/0478/9
360 Hours TQT; 240 hours GLH
Aligned to NOS and Retailer Apprenticeship Standard
Aimed at Post 16 market – alternatives to BTEC Firsts
Recognised on DFE Performance Tables
The qualification has 100% mandatory content and is made up of four units:
1. The Retail Environment GLH - External
2. Delivering Customer Service in retail GLH – Internal
3. The Retail Buying and Selling Process – 60 GLH – Internal
4. Creating a Retail Outlet – 60 GLH – Internal Synoptic
The external assessment is an on-screen question paper (mix of open end and scenario based questions
The synoptic assignment is internally set and marked

5. Technical Certificates – Level 2 cont...
Specifications can be found under our BTEC Technicals section on our website
See ‘Retail Operations’
Support Available:
Specification
Sample Assessment Materials
Statement of Purpose
Authorised Assignment Briefs
Delivery Plan
Schemes of Learning
Graded PMD
Employer Involvement required (guidance is within the spec)
Free re-sit
Link to Retailer standards

8. Apprenticeship Update

9. Retail Apprenticeships – Brief Re-cap
Designed by employers for employers to replace SASE frameworks
SASE frameworks will start to be withdrawn from Dec 17 – funding dramatically reduced
Linked to occupation (Retailer; Retail Team Leader; Retail Manager
Minimum 12 months on-programme delivery with mandatory 20% off the job training
No mandatory qualifications except for Maths and English
Flexible delivery options agreed with employer to meet 100% of the standard (plus any extras stipulated by employer) - qual/bespoke training programme etc – progress reviews required
End Point Assessment to confirm occupational competence is carried out externally by the Assessment Organisation registered on RoEPA
Externally Quality Assured by People 1st
Funding cap applied to each standard – TP must be on Register to be able to deliver
Funding can be used for on-programme content delivery, including any mandatory quals, if relevant
Mandatory Employer cash contribution (10% or 100% through Levy contributions) although cost of delivery is negotiated through TP and Employer

10. SASE Withdrawals
People 1st confirmed Retail, Retail Specialist, Retail Manager and Online Retail SASE frameworks will be withdrawn 31st December 2017
Sales Professional and Visual merchandising (pending new development) withdrawal dates TBC
All apprentices will need to be on new standards
Providers will need to be on the register to deliver on-programme and draw down funding
Register opens for new applicants on a quarterly basis (Currently open until 27th October)

11. New Apprenticeships
All Approved standards and assessment plans can be accessed via:
Employer Occupational Briefs; On Programme Progression templates and Readiness for EPA templates are available through:

12. On Programme Support Standards Mapped to Qualifications
Current BTEC Apprenticeship Workbooks and Assessment Activities – developed for SASE but content will still be relevant
Pearson App360 to be delivered as part of a blended delivery package (Pilot roll-out delayed due to supplier issues. Beta testing to be initiated in November 2017 with providers who have previously expressed an interest in being involved. Feedback to follow post beta-test phase)
Practice MCQ Tests (only available for customers who buy our EPA service - as part of the SAMs)*
* Date available TBC

13. EPA from Pearson Currently preparing offer for: Retailer
Retail Team Leader
Planned offer:
Onscreen, on-demand MCT Tests
Practice Tests
EPA Specification with guides for observations and professional discussions with grading information – see example here: (
If you are planning to offer Apprenticeships in these areas, please contact your account manager to notify us of your requirements and access our support

14. Extensions and Withdrawals

15. Extensions and Withdrawals
The majority of Retail qualifications will be extended until Dec 2018 (including qualifications that make up the SASE frameworks)
Exceptions: Due to low take up – the following qualifications are being reviewed with a view to withdraw.
(please let us know if you will require any of these qualifications post Dec 17)
600/3991/7 Pearson Edexcel Level 1 Certificate in Retail Skills (QCF)
600/3962/0 Pearson Edexcel Level 1 Diploma in Retail Skills (QCF)

16. Questions?

17. There’s so much more to learn
Find out more at
quals.pearson.com/apprenticeships
Sign up now for policy news at: pearson.com/uk/policysignup