We’re inviting applications for Membership of our 15 occupational Route Panels

We are recruiting members for our 15 occupational Route Panels to lead the review and approval of new apprenticeship standards and technical qualifications. Applications now closed. 

About the Institute

The Institute was established in April 2017 as an employer-led body responsible for the development and publication of quality apprenticeships in England. This year, our remit is expanding to include technical education. 

We are a non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Education, with offices in London and Coventry and around 90 members of staff.

Our main responsibilities

High quality apprenticeships and technical education are crucial to helping people reach their potential and provide excellent career development, as well as retraining opportunities later in life.

Our remit is to ensure the development of high quality apprenticeships and technical qualifications so they are viewed and respected as highly as other education routes.

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 (trailblazers)
  • 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
  • reviewing and considering the outline content and contributing to the development of the new T-levels

Route Panels 

Route Panels are made up of industry experts, chosen for their standing in their sectors and for the expertise they bring.

The 15 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 role and person specification 

We are looking both to strengthen existing Route Panels and also to identify individuals to manage changes in the existing 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. 

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 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 up to two days per six-week cycle, including attendance at panel meetings. 

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 as a Route Panel Member. These interests include (without limitation), personal direct and indirect pecuniary interests and any such interests of your close family members and/or people living in the same household as you or as your close family members.

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 application is midnight on Sunday 17 June 2018. 

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

One-to-one discussions will be held with shortlisted candidates during July and August. These will be conducted by the Institute’s Head of Membership. Candidates who have not been shortlisted will be contacted in early July. 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 and submit this with your application. 

Additional information

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**.  

If you have any queries about this role or the application process, email: Institute.MEMBERSHIPOFFICE@ education.gov.uk. Please ensure you title your email

‘Route Panel Member application’.

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

  * Groups of employers who come together to develop and propose new apprenticeship standards and assessment plans

** Groups of employers and education/training specialists appointed to develop new technical qualifications