1. Construction Higher and Degree Apprenticeships
BACH - 12 March 2018

2. Summary Here to report failure!!
Withdrew as Chair of consortium last Thursday after three years:
Rejection of funding band appeal for a Level 4 Standard
Need for different approach at Level 6
Potential integration with other standards
Development of new standards
New role for CITB
Reflections:
Employer leadership is a fudge not a fact
Funding caps bear no relation to reality
Academic levels more important than job roles
System does not understand role of professional bodies

3. Range of standards Level 4 Building Services Engineering Technician
Construction Design and Build Technician
Construction Site Engineering Technician
Construction Site Supervisor
Construction Surveying Technician
Level 6
Building Services Engineering Site Manager
Construction Design Manager
Civil Engineering Site Manager
Construction Quantity Surveyor
Construction Site Manager
Linked to job roles not academic levels (eg Assistant Engineer to Site/Section Engineer)
EPA to be undertaken by a professional body (cannot be named)
Standards included qualifications recognised by professional bodies
TO REPLACE TRAINEE/CADET SCHEMES

4. Structure of Level 4 Standards
Common Level 3 First Year from Level 2 entry point (broaden entry pool)
Equivalent of Extended Certificate (360 GLH)
Two years at Level 4 (eg HNC)
OJT structured around professional body
Maths and English included in qualification
EngTech/Associate as EPA
APL for:
STEM A-levels/BTEC CBE Diploma
Advanced (relevant) Apprenticeship
Out-turn job role = Assistant Engineer/Site Supervisor/QS etc.

5. Structure of Level 6 Standards
Levels 5 and 6 of Degree
Off-the-shelf part-time Degree approved by professional body
Maths and English included in qualification
HNC or equivalent Level 4 from Higher Apprenticeship is APL
OJT structured around professional body
Incorporated/Chartered Review is EPA
No direct Level 3 entry
Out-turn job role = Section Engineer/Site Manager/QS etc.

6. Providers could offer with additional employer funding!
Costs – Level 4
Item
Cost
Original cost template
£19, £20, 650
Range of quotes
£9, £24, 500
First funding cap
£12, 000
May 2017 Funding cap
£15, 000
Final Funding Cap
£9, 000 (Construction Site Engineering Technician)
Content
Level 3 foundation, HNC or equivalent, professional registration and mentoring, EPA
Providers could offer with additional employer funding!

7. May be impacted by availability of Level 4
Costs – Level 6
Item
Cost
Original cost template
£23, £26, 825
Range of quotes
£18, £25, 900
First funding cap
£27, 000
May 2017 Funding cap
£24, 000
Content
Level 5 and 6 of Degree, professional registration and mentoring, EPA
May be impacted by availability of Level 4

8. Way ahead – Level 4 Assessment Plan revisions:
Building Services Engineering Technician – awaiting feedback and funding
Construction Design and Build Technician – “fold into” Information Manager
Construction Site Engineering Technician – funding cap is £9K
Construction Site Supervisor – revise current Level 4/5 Framework
Construction Surveying Technician – revise Construction Surveying Technician standard to core/options (different level)
Need engagement with other consortia
Revision of standard(s) may be required (contemperaneous)
Will be facilitated by CITB
Will require new Employer Leads

9. Way ahead – Level 6 Assessment Plan revisions:
Building Services Engineering Site Manager – feedback awaited
Construction Design Manager – “fold into” Architectural Engineer
Civil Engineering Site Manager – feedback awaited
Construction Quantity Surveyor – change to IDA
Construction Site Manager – change to IDA
Need engagement with other consortia
Revision of standard(s) may be required (contemperaneous)
Will be facilitated by CITB
Will require new Employer Leads

10. Reflections (entirely personal!)
Have gone from world’s biggest advocate of Trailblazers to extreme critic of IfA
System does not really understand world of work
System does not really understand professional bodies
Employers are NOT at the heart of the process
Apparent bias towards traditional academic levels/approaches
Funding is a lottery
Process requires external PM/consultancy help
Apprentice experience entirely irrelevant!