Role and person specification

About the Institute

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (the Institute) was established in April 2017 as an employer-led body responsible for the development and publication of quality apprenticeships and assessment plans in England.

This year, our remit expanded to include technical education and, specifically, the development and approval of new qualifications that will underpin T Levels – two-year technical study programmes set to become one of the three major options for students studying at Level 3, alongside apprenticeships and A Levels.

We are a non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Education, with offices in London and Coventry and around 150 members of staff.

The Institute’s main responsibilities

Our remit is to ensure the development of high quality apprenticeships and technical qualifications that are viewed and respected as highly as other education routes and provide new opportunities for the broadest range of individuals and employers.

Our main responsibilities are:

  • developing and maintaining quality criteria for the approval of apprenticeship standards and assessment plans
  • supporting the development of standards and assessment plans by employer groups, known as trailblazers
  • facilitating the work of our 15 our occupational Route Panels who review and make recommendations on the approval of standards and assessment plans developed by trailblazers (described in more detail below)
  • publishing approved standards and assessment plans
  • advising on the maximum amount of government funding that can be drawn down by employers for individual apprenticeship standards
  • quality assuring the delivery of apprenticeship end-point assessments
  • facilitating the development of T Level content by T Level Panels (industry experts charged with designing content that is relevant and engaging)
  • procuring and managing contracts with Authorising Organisations, appointed to develop and award T Level qualifications

Route Panel role

To lead the review and approval of new apprenticeship standards and technical qualifications, we have appointed 15 sector-based Route Panels made up of individual employers, chosen for their expertise and standing in the industry sectors they represent

The 15 occupational routes are: Agriculture, Environmental and Animal Care; Business and Administration; Care Services; Catering and Hospitality; Construction; Creative and Design; Digital; Education and Childcare; Engineering and Manufacturing; Hair and Beauty; Health and Science; Legal, Finance and Accounting; Protective Services; Sales, Marketing and Procurement; Transport and Logistics.

Route Panels meet regularly to consider proposals put forward by trailblazer groups and T Level Panels and their recommendations feed into the Institute’s Approval and Funding Committee.

Route Panel Member: person specification

We are looking to identify and recruit individuals both to strengthen existing Route Panels and to manage future changes in Panel Membership.

You don’t need to be an expert in apprenticeships or technical education – but you do need demonstrable expertise (rather than generalist knowledge), leadership experience and credibility in one or more sectors of an occupational route. It will also add weight to your application if you can demonstrate an understanding of what it takes to bring on talent in your sector.

We want people who can bring real insight into the realities of working in their industry, who can demonstrate sound judgement when dealing with complex situations, who are themselves open to challenge and who potentially have experience of operating within a panel structure to arrive at balanced and timely decisions. It goes without saying, those who serve on our Route Panels are also passionate about ensuring the standards and qualifications they approve are of the highest quality.

As a Route Panel Member, you’ll not only be helping to drive economic growth and social mobility nationally, you’ll also be making an important investment in building the capability of your own sector, ensuring that employers like you have the workforce they need for future success.

This is a two-year fixed-term appointment which may be extended by mutual agreement. You’ll need to be able to commit to reading time and attendance at a meeting that currently takes place once every six weeks (this is under review and the time between meetings may become longer).

Conflicts of interest

When submitting an Expression of Interest, you must declare to the Institute any personal or business interest which may or may be perceived (by a reasonable member of the public) to influence your judgement in performing the functions and obligations of a Route Panel Member. This should also include any such interests of your close family members and/or people living in the same household as you or as your close family members.

To ensure the work of Route Panel Members remains entirely independent, we are unable to consider applications from individuals currently serving as members of trailblazer groups or T Level Panels. 

Candidates successfully appointed as Route Panel Members will need to uphold the standards of conduct as defined by the Committee on Standards in Public Life in the Seven Principles of Public Life.

How to apply

The closing date for applications is midnight on Friday 21 June.

If you are interested in being considered for this role, please complete the Expression of Interest form and upload a copy of your CV.

One-to-one discussions will be held with shortlisted candidates during June and July. These will be conducted by the Institute’s Head of Membership. Candidates who have not been shortlisted will be contacted by early June. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer feedback to individuals whose applications have been unsuccessful at this stage.

If your application is successful, we may offer you a place on a Panel straight away or hold your details on file (with your permission) until future Panel Member opportunities become available.

We’ll contact you by email to acknowledge receipt of your application and to update you on its progress, so it’s advisable to check spam folders regularly.

The Institute operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) for disabled people. If you wish to apply for consideration under the scheme, please complete the Guaranteed Interview Scheme form (included on the Expression of Interest form) and submit this with your application.

Additional information

If you have any queries about this role or the application process, email: Institute.MEMBERSHIPOFFICE@ education.gov.uk. Please ensure you include ‘Route Panel Member application’ in the subject line of any email.

Find out more about the work of the Institute, the role of Route Panels and current Route Panel Membership.